Part-Time Content Storyteller – Pre-Production

NJ State Lib; Trenton, Northern (NJ, KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, NJ is seeking an Hourly Content Development Pre-Production Assistant. This part-time role supports researching and coordinating compelling stories with the Office of Communications, guiding from concept through production.

The ideal candidate has a journalism or communications background and strong storytelling instincts. Responsibilities span research, outreach, interviews, scripting, and coordinating with writers, designers, videographers, and

Qualifications

• Outstanding storytelling and editorial judgment.
• Ability to recognize meaningful stories and transform ideas into compelling content.
• Strong interviewing and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work across departments.
• Strategic thinking with an understanding of audience engagement and brand storytelling.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify compelling student, alumni, staff, and community stories that align with the University's strategic priorities.
• Conduct outreach and relationship-building with prospective story participants.
• Perform background research and pre-interviews to evaluate story potential.
• Develop story concepts and recommend opportunities for multimedia, written, and digital content.
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of future storytelling opportunities.
• Review interviews and identify compelling soundbites and narrative themes.
• Draft story summaries, interview briefs, scripts, and supporting written content.
• Collaborate on the development of videos, feature stories, social media campaigns, podcasts, and other communications materials.
• Help shape stories that reflect the University's mission while creating emotional connections with audiences.
• Coordinate interview schedules, filming logistics, and production calendars.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for story participants throughout the production process.
• Track projects from initial outreach through final publication.
• Maintain production schedules, deadlines, and project documentation.
• Assist with obtaining releases, approvals, and supporting materials.
• Work closely with communications staff to align storytelling efforts with institutional initiatives.
• Coordinate with writers, designers, photographers, videographers, and marketing staff to maximize the impact of each story.
• Help identify opportunities to repurpose stories across multiple communication platforms.
• Monitor trends, university initiatives, and community developments to proactively identify meaningful storytelling opportunities.
• Recommend story ideas that support enrollment, alumni engagement, fundraising, institutional reputation, and staff communications.
• Help establish consistent storytelling processes and editorial standards for the Multimedia team.

Skills

Storytelling

Editorial judgment

Interviewing

Relationship-building

Project management

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, English, or related field

Job description

Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, NJ is seeking an Hourly Content Development Pre-Production Assistant. This part-time role supports researching and coordinating compelling stories with the Office of Communications, guiding from concept through production.

The ideal candidate has a journalism or communications background and strong storytelling instincts. Responsibilities span research, outreach, interviews, scripting, and coordinating with writers, designers, videographers, and