Working Title: Natural Resource Technician Summer 2026 - 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: Business Services

Department: 100250 - FM Administration

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $19.00

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? N/A

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

Beginning Review Date: 01/05/2026

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:

The Facilities Management Stormwater department is seeking a summer-only Natural Resource Technician to assist with stormwater and sustainability-related projects, specifically to support the University’s Tree Campus and Bee Campus programs, and support the management of natural areas on campus. Most of the position’s time will be spent in the field, i.e., out on campus: managing campus pollinator garden spaces and natural areas (such as the riparian buffers along campus streams), installing and growing native plants in pollinator habitat spaces, collecting data on plant and animal communities, performing invasive plant mapping, and assisting with outreach and environmental education programs.
This is a summer position for current JMU students only. The position will be up to 30 hours per week over the summer from mid-May to early August. The hired student will work daytime office hours, and the position is on campus. Student applicants should have valid housing and transportation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

-Maintain campus pollinator garden spaces:
•Weed garden beds and mulched areas between beds.
•Water the garden areas regularly and plant native pollinator-friendly plants
•Create plant labels and design the garden beds to promote pollinator use.
•Organize volunteer days to assist with maintenance needs.
-Participate in community outreach and tabling events to promote the University’s Bee Campus and Tree Campus programs.
-Assist with environmental education for field trips and summer youth camps as needed.
-Map invasive plant species in natural areas and riparian buffer areas.
-Collect plant and animal population data in the natural areas on campus.
-Clean up trash in campus streams.
-Assist with data collection for the EJC Arboretum’s tree inventory map.
-Assist FM staff with additional projects related to stormwater or sustainability as needed.

Qualifications:

-Knowledge of native plant species and identification of common invasive plant species.
-Ability to work independently and for long periods of time outside in various weather conditions.
-Experience working with different audiences in education programs, field trips, classrooms, outreach, and tabling events.
-Must have experience using common hand tools such as trowels, shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows.
-Must be able to follow verbal instructions, be able to navigate uneven terrain, and perform physically demanding work for extended periods of time.
-Possess basic computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
-Be in good disciplinary AND academic standing with James Madison University.
-Applicants must be undergraduate degree-seeking students, enrolled on at least a half-time basis (6 credits for undergraduates), and not studying abroad during the summer semester 2026.

Additional Posting Information:

-By submitting this application, you authorize the Facilities Management Department to review your university disciplinary records with the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices (OSARP) for the purposes of confirming your disciplinary standing with JMU. You acknowledge and agree that this authorization will remain in effect during the term of your contract/involvement, if chosen for this position.
-Students should provide resume and cover letter stating why they're interested in the position and how they believe that they would benefit from employment with Facilities Management - Stormwater department.
-Selected applicant(s) must discuss summer class plans with supervisor during the hiring process/enrollment process. (Summer courses impact the number of hours that a student can work during a given week.)

**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.

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 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.