Working Title: Front Desk Student Assistant - Center for Global Engagement - 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: Center for Global Engagement

Department: 100148 - CGE Administration

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $12.77 

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: 04/08/2026

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:

This position is expected to begin in Fall 2026.

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is seeking dependable and professional Student Assistants to support front desk operations. This role is ideal for individuals who are personable, organized, and interested in supporting an office that serves students, faculty, staff, and international visitors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of this position include a wide range of tasks essential to the daily operations of the office.

Front desk assistants are expected to greet and direct students, faculty, and visitors, as well as answer telephones in a professional and polite manner. They will also help maintain the main email inbox by forwarding messages in a timely and efficient manner.

Additional responsibilities include running errands, sorting and distributing daily mail, and maintaining clear communication through office platforms such as Microsoft Outlook, Calendar, and Teams.

Front desk assistants will assist with the setup, execution, and cleanup of meetings, events, and student programming, as well as photocopying, scanning, and filing documents.

They are also expected to help maintain clean and organized workspaces, including routine tasks such as making coffee and emptying the dishwasher in the CGE kitchen.

Support for CGE staff includes a variety of office projects, such as storage organization, data entry, basic internet research, creating media, and completing special assignments as needed.

Qualifications:

Qualifications include experience with the Microsoft Office Suite (including spreadsheet/data management and word processing), strong verbal and written communication skills, a commitment to punctuality and reliability, and the ability to maintain a professional appearance and adhere to the Front Desk Student Assistant dress code.

Additional Posting Information:

A commitment to a regular work schedule of approximately 6–10 hours per week is required, with some flexibility based on staffing needs. As the Center for Global Engagement operates from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, front desk student assistants are scheduled to ensure coverage during these hours.

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.