Working Title: Orientation Peer Adviser (OPA) - IE

State Role Title: Institutional Employment / Federal Work Study

Position Type: Institutional Employment

Position Status: Part-Time

College/Division: Health and Wellbeing

Department: 100165 - 1st Yr Experience/Orientation

Pay Rate: Stipend

Specify Range or Amount: $4400

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 

About JMU:

Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

General Information:

As an Orientation Peer Adviser (OPA), you will play a vital role in guiding the next generation of JMU students & their supporters through the Orientation & Weeks of Welcome experience. The OPA role is crucial to student success as you will create opportunities for new students to connect with their peers and transition smoothly to life here at JMU. OPAs help facilitate orientation programming by welcoming new students and their supporters to JMU, sharing their student experience, and providing a sense of belonging through peer mentorship, in addition to connecting them with valuable campus resources.

We want to highlight that this is a role, not just a job. If you have a passion for JMU and a desire to make a difference, apply to be an OPA and help welcome new Dukes and their supporters!

** By applying for this position, you authorize the Office of Orientation & Transition to conduct a background check with the Title IX Office and OSARP to verify your academic and disciplinary standing with the university, due to the sensitive material involved with this position. This background check includes reports and ongoing disciplinary proceedings. Background checks may be conducted at any time during your employment, not just during the application process. **

Compensation includes:

• $4400 stipend (before taxes.)
• Housing for Summer Training and Summer Orientation (Dates subject to change but tentatively
  6/2/25-7/24/25
• Meals Provided during Summer & Fall Training, Summer Orientation, and Weeks of Welcome
  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a representative of the Orientation & Transition Office.
• Provide general support for all Orientation & Transition Programming.
• Assist in FROG recruitment and selection process.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate FROGs during Weeks of Welcome.
• Facilitate large and small group discussions and activities during programs with new students.
• Serve as a role model for incoming students.
• Assist first-year and transfer students with academic expectations, peer relationships, and personal
  adjustment to JMU.
• Demonstrate leadership by maintaining high energy and enthusiasm throughout long days, being flexible in a fast-paced environment, and showcasing a commitment to excellence.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity and appreciation of differences.
• Assist with the recruitment of the 2025-26 O-Team.

Qualifications:

• Be in good disciplinary and academic standing with JMU.
  • Students must have 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student, not studying abroad during the 2025 spring, summer, or fall semester, and will not graduate until December 2025 or later.
• Passionate about helping others.
• Desire and ability to work effectively in a team-orientated environment.
• Must display a strong work ethic, as well as be willing to work the expected and unexpected hours necessary to implement a successful Orientation program.
• Must display professionalism and school spirit.
• Must be adaptable & open to change.
  
  OPAs are expected to attend all dates listed below:
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Spring 2025 Tentative Dates**
• OPA Paperwork Meeting: Friday, Jan 24 3:00-5:00 PM
• Off-campus spring team retreat Jan 31-Feb 2 or Feb 7-9. (This will be confirmed during the fall semester)
• OPA Workshops on Fridays, Jan 31- April 25, 3:00-5:00 PM (excluding the Friday before Spring Break and other University Holidays)
• FROG Interviews: April 2025
• FROG Training Day: April 2025
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Summer 2025 Tentative Dates**
• Must be able to live in provided on-campus housing from June 2-July 24
• Summer Training: June 2-6
• Summer orientation dates: June 9- July 24 (excluding Juneteenth, July 4). Orientation Dates will be confirmed as we get closer to the summer.
• Weeks of Welcome Training & Programming: August 8-25
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  **Fall 2025 Tentative Dates**
• Complete Self-Eval and Exit Interview: September
• Recruitment of the 2025-26 O-Team: October

Additional Posting Information:

Because of the time commitment related to this position OPAs are not allowed to hold or train for another university position between these dates: June 2-July 24 and August 8-25. (These dates are subject to change)

• Students may hold an off-campus job as long as it will not prevent them from attending all Orientation & Transition training workshops & programming.
• If a student needs to take a summer course their eligibility will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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).

Students must have a 2.0 or better cumulative GPA.

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.