Working Title: Better Conversations Together (BCT) Program Director

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist II

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Office of the President Unit

Department: 100191 - JMU Center for Civic Engagement

Pay Rate: Maximum Starting

Specify Range or Amount: $37,500

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 10/07/2025

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

General Information:

The Madison Center for Civic Engagement at James Madison University, housed in the Office of the President, invites applications for a staff member to lead and coordinate the Center’s dialogue and deliberation programming. The Madison Center, a non-partisan, high-profile administrative entity, is hiring this position to support our current deliberation and campus pluralism efforts and coordinate our campus-wide free speech orientation programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Better Conversations Together Program Director manages and executes all operations for the Madison Center for Civic Engagement’s flagship free speech program Better Conversations Together, including the free speech orientation (deliberation) program for all 5,000+ incoming first year and new transfer students, faculty development workshops, student leadership workshops and certificate programs, and classroom-based visits and workshops. The Program Director provides ongoing supervision and extensive skills training for 10-15 undergraduate Democracy Fellows.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Experience organizing and facilitating large-scale deliberative forums
• Experience in training others, including undergraduate students, in facilitating deliberative forums and other forms of dialogue
• Experience executing programming for large-scale, campus wide deliberation events
• Experience with student supervision, mentorship, and designing student professional development opportunities
• Experience executing assessment protocols for deliberation and dialogue-based programming
• Knowledge of Excel, Qualtrics or QuestionPro, MS Teams, BeInvolved, Canva
• Experience leading teams of students in developing student-focused programming
• Ability to multi-task and project manage high profile events under tight timelines
• Knowledge of key online platforms and vendors providing civic discourse training and experiences, such as Constructive Dialogue Institute, National Issues Forums Institute, BeInvolved, etc.
  
  

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.