Working Title: GEAR UP Advisor (Part - Time)

State Role Title: Education Support Specialist II

Position Type: Part-time - Wage / Part-time Salaried

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Access and Enrollment

Department: 520125 - GEAR UP Staunton Year 2

Pay Band: 3

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $20.00 per hour 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 03/12/2026

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.

JMU offers several perks to all employees including:
• A Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
• Free Access to the University Recreation Center (UREC): Employees can enjoy facility access and program registration privileges at UREC and University Park. This includes the climbing wall, equipment centers, and group exercise studios.
• A variety of voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft and Legal Protection Plans, and several other supplemental benefits.
• Holiday Breaks: The university is granted 12 holidays a year.
• Talent Development Trainings: The Talent Development department offers a wide variety of personal and professional trainings, eligible for all employees to join.

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:

JMU is proud to partner with GEAR UP to serve students and families in Staunton City Schools. GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. GEAR UP is a federal grant funded program to empower first-generation and underrepresented students on their path to college. GEAR UP Staunton serves a two-year cohort from the Staunton City Schools, starting in middle school and following the cohort two years after high school graduation.

As a part-time GEAR UP Advisor, you'll play a vital role in shaping futures while working in a supportive, goal-oriented environment. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting difference in students’ lives while gaining meaningful experience in college and career access and readiness initiatives.

Advisors work closely with the GEAR UP Project Director, Parent Liaison and a team of other Program Advisors as well as student employees. GEAR UP aims to increase high school graduation rates and improve attendance by supporting students and their families in middle school, high school and two years post-high school graduation.

GEAR UP Advisors work directly with students by assisting them with selecting and scheduling classes, delivering workshops, providing support in completing college admissions applications, exploring career options and navigating financial aid.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides case management, academic support, curriculum development, and advising services for students related to admissions and financial aid.
• Execute activities, programs, and direct student services designed for middle school, high school, and students who have dropped out of school or who have not applied to post-secondary institutions in partnership with school divisions, such as test preparation, goal setting, and related skills.
• Assist program.
• Assist Project Director with the development of promotional materials, educational materials, training manuals, newsletters, and brochures as appropriate to the program.
• Assist with parenting activities with the Parent Liaison.
• Assist Project Director with efficient and effective data collection and management to inform continuous program improvement.
• Maintains accurate program project records and scheduling of activities at the schools.
• Ensure and maintain the confidentiality of all project records and other sensitive information.
• Prepares special or one-time report summaries or replies to inquiries, selecting data from a variety of sources.
• Executes school day advising.
• Plan, organize, and co-supervise student field trips (including the supervision of students), college visits, and cultural activities.
• Assist the GEAR UP Director with hiring and onboarding student workers.
• Attend workshops and conferences as deemed necessary.
• Some weekend and odd hours may be required.
• A valid driver’s license is required, as the advisor may be responsible for driving JMU vans.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Professional experience in a student support program at a secondary or post-secondary level, can be working during the summer in a summer program
• Student advising experience
• Strong communication and organizational skills to work with school administration
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with students, parents, and school administration.
• Development and implementing academic services and activities to assist students who need academic assistance

Additional Considerations:

• Due to the grant requirements for this role, a bachelor's degree with coursework in education, counseling, or related field or educational experience that will meet the standards of a bachelor’s degree is recommended for this role.
• Knowledge of assessing academic and personal needs of GEAR UP students through transcript evaluations, student interviews, and high school counselor recommendations
• Maintaining student information including files on academic advisement on the GEAR UP database.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing policies, services and activities which lead to student success at the high school
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential participant files and documentation of services and activities.

Additional Posting Information:

• Must be willing and available to travel to Staunton on a regular basis.
• Work hours primarily fall Monday to Friday between 9AM to 6PM .
• Position requires occasional weekend, early morning and/or late evening hours as needed for events or field trips.

Conditions of Employment:  

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

This is a part-time wage position working up to an average of 29 hours per week over the course of a calendar year with no benefits.

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.