School of Creative Technologies Program Assistant

Illinois State University; Normal, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

Illinois State University’s School of Creative Technologies is seeking a part-time Program Assistant to support CTK spaces, events, and outreach. The role involves hands-on work, equipment readiness, and collaboration with a small team of students, with opportunities to contribute photo, video, and social media content.

Ideal candidates are reliable, collaborative, and eager to learn, with a willingness to assist at evenings and weekend events.

Qualifications

• Active Illinois State University student in good standing.
• Commitment for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.
• Willingness to learn unfamiliar equipment, software, or workflows as needed.
• Evening and weekend availability for CTK events and programs.

Responsibilities

• Support CTK studio and production spaces, and maintain labs and spaces.
• Assist with equipment readiness and event materials for public programs.
• Create photo, video, and social media content as needed.
• Represent CTK at recruitment events and outreach activities.
• Support communications and recruitment efforts as part of a small student team.

Skills

Reliable

Collaborative

Willing to learn

Effective communication

Public events support

Job description

Title: School of Creative Technologies Program Assistant Employee Classification: Division Name: Academic Affairs Department: School of Creative Technologies

Job Summary

The School of Creative Technologies is hiring a small team of student Program Assistants to support CTK’s studio and production spaces, public events, recruitment activities, and communications. This is a varied, hands-on position that may include monitoring labs, assisting with equipment and space readiness, creating photo, video, and social media content, producing event materials, supporting public programs, and representing CTK at recruitment events. We are seeking students who are reliable, resourceful, collaborative, and willing to learn. Applicants do not need experience in every area; the team is intended to bring together students with complementary creative, technical, organizational, and interpersonal strengths.

Additional Information

The School of Creative Technologies combines artistic practice, design, computation, emerging technologies, media production, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Program Assistants work directly within this environment and gain experience across creative production, event support, communications, recruitment, and professional practice. Multiple students will be hired for this position. Applicants with strengths in areas such as photography, video, graphic design, social media, event production, equipment management, or recruitment are encouraged to apply even if they have limited experience in other areas. No prior experience with CTK’s specific equipment or facilities is required; new Program Assistants will receive hands‑on orientation and support from experienced student employees and School personnel. Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan. More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

$15.50/hour

Required Qualifications

• Must be an active Illinois State University student in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of application and throughout employment.
• Must be able to commit to the position for at least the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.
• Must be dependable and able to work scheduled shifts consistently.
• Must be willing to learn unfamiliar equipment, software, or workflows as needed.
• Must be available for occasional evening and weekend hours associated with CTK public events, recruitment activities, and special programs.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, visitors, and members of the public.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in all of the following areas is not expected. Applicants with strength or interest in one or more of these areas are encouraged to apply:

• Coursework or experience in Creative Technologies, Graphic Design, Media, Art, Theatre, Music, Communication, Marketing, or another related creative field.
• Photography or video production experience.
• Experience editing short-form photo or video content; smartphone-based production experience is welcome.
• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Procreate, or similar design tools.
• Basic experience with audio/video equipment, including setup, playback, recording, or equipment care.
• Experience creating or managing social media content.
• Experience with graphic design, print production, fabrication, screen printing, or production of event materials.
• Experience with event planning, event setup, technical production, or front-of-house work.
• Experience supervising or working in a lab, studio, makerspace, equipment room, or production space.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage several small projects or responsibilities at once.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Comfort speaking with prospective students, families, alumni, donors, guests, and other visitors.
• Ability to give an informal tour, explain CTK programs and facilities, or represent the School at a recruitment table.
• Curiosity, initiative, and willingness to learn new tools and processes.

Work Hours

8-15 hours weekly

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

• Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

September 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume, Reference List and Work Availability

Special Instructions for Applicants

Because this position supports a variety of School activities, applicants are not expected to have experience in every area listed in the preferred qualifications. Selected applicants may be asked to participate in a brief interview and to discuss their availability for regular weekly shifts as well as occasional evening and weekend events. Training on CTK spaces, equipment, and procedures will be provided as part of the position.

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In addition, all appointments are contingent upon proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University to perform the required duties described above on your scheduled start date. The Immigration and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires all new employees to file an I-9 in person and no later than three days from the beginning of employment. This may be accomplished within the department or through Human Resources. A list of the types of documentation you will be expected to provide is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Failure to comply with this law will result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University, as your employer, is required by federal law to ensure proper tax withholding from wages and to ensure that the required reporting of employee wages, withholding, and employment taxes is accurate. For this reason, every employee must have a valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date. Failure to comply with this law may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held.

International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session. International students should contact the Office of International Studies and Programs for guidance if they have questions concerning employment restrictions.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at [phone]. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at [phone].