Working Title: Community Assistant - IE

State Role Title: Institutional Employment/Federal Work Study

Position Type: Institutional Employment

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Life and Involvement

Department: 100155 - Off-Campus Life

Pay Band: 

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $13.00 

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? N/A

Beginning Review Date: 05/01/2026

About JMU:

Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

Off-Campus Life (OCL) student Community Assistants provide front-line customer service both in the OCL office and in The Pantry, answering phones, responding to emails, and assisting walk-in guests. Community Assistants help students navigate the transition process of moving into the Harrisonburg community by informing them of available resources and educating them on best practices. Community Assistants also help create a welcoming environment in The Pantry, a free food resource for students experiencing food insecurity, while maintaining inventory and upkeep of the space. Additionally, our Community Assistants help with several programs throughout the year to help build community for our off-campus and commuter student population and to help students gain the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions in their off-campus communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Communication: Keep an accurate record of communication with those coming to the office in need of follow-up or professional staff assistance; take messages appropriately; respond to emails, phone calls, or texts from supervisors regarding needs and office concerns in a timely fashion; exhibit excellent written and oral communication skills when interacting with staff and customers; check daily tasks and needs on Teams
Programming/Education: Help facilitate Off-Campus Life events such as Roommate Mixers, Housing Fairs, Budget Workshops, Leasing 101, etc.; provide support and general coverage at events you're not facilitating directly; remain knowledgeable about information and events within and around the Off- Campus Life office; and be enthusiastic and passionate about educating students on off-campus living.
Teamwork: Maintain a respectful environment towards supervisors and fellow staff members; attend weekly supervision meetings as/if assigned; attend and participate in any required staff meetings or staff trainings; demonstrate ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
Organization: Handle detailed work with a high level of accuracy and efficiency; be on time for work shifts, and communicate out to your supervisor if/when tardiness or absence is unavoidable; follow through with all assigned tasks and check them as completed on Teams; ask questions when you're unsure about certain tasks or how to proceed with a project; always look and share thoughts on improving processes and procedures in the office.
Support the mission of Off-Campus Life: help students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions within the off-campus community, support students and develop resources to help them stay academically focused, and work to help students create safe, values-oriented communities.

Qualifications:

A qualified applicant is a strong communicator, able to navigate the systems that help organize the office, including Microsoft Teams and Outlook. Community Assistants need to be highly organized and able to prioritize tasks and manage time in the office well. They need to be a strong team member, helping and asking for help as necessary and appropriate. They need to have a strong commitment to creating inclusive and affirming environments, allowing all members of the JMU community to feel welcomed and supported in our spaces. They should have strong customer service skills and be able to interact with the public and provide needed support.

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

Students must be degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduate and 5 credits for graduate).

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 a student with a disability and need assistance please contact the Office of Disability Services at (540) 568-6705 or disability-svcs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the Office of Disability Services, located in the Student Success Center, Suite 1202 and they will be happy to assist you.