Graduate Assistant

Working Title: Graduate Assistant

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

College/Division: Student Life and Involvement

Department: 300116 - Dean of Students

Pay Rate: Stipend

Beginning Review Date:

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

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:

The office responds to the informational and personal concerns of students, parents, faculty and staff. Staff in the Dean of Students are committed to helping students and others in the areas of:
* Supporting and advising students and families during challenging situations through the university care program, Madison Cares.
* Normalizing setback and obstacles by sharing the stories of our community and getting students connected to a mentor-based Rebound program to create plans for success and to meet wellness goals.
* Notifying faculty of extended absences from class when a student is unable to attend due to extenuating circumstances and will be out more than two days.
* Such notifications are sent as a means to officially notify a student's professors of their situation. It is the responsibility of the student to contact each professor upon their return regarding the professor's policy for missed classes, assignments, etc.
* Referring students to resources to increase the likelihood of their success.
* Provide individualized student-centered life skills and learning strategies coaching through the Learning Success Strategies program.
* Consulting with faculty, staff and students regarding distressed and disruptive students; referrals to appropriate resources.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(75%) Madison Cares
* Maintain caseload of 15-25 students with whom you provide care, direct support, and resource referral to.
* Assisting with the data collection, assessment, and feedback processes for the program to inform best practices.
* Marketing and outreach to promote and educate university departments, faculty/staff, students, and families on the Madison Cares program.
* Observe and gain an understanding of the coordination of university response to individual students in crisis.

(15%) Support full time staff by providing general assistance to students and parents: interact directly with students and parents both face-to-face, e-mail, and via the telephone; assist students and parents via scheduled appointments, walk-in/call-in contacts and professor notifications; provide guidance in response to specific questions in the form of resource and referral assistance.

(10%) Assist full time staff in the response to Rebound referrals. Provide mentorship to students in the program.

Qualifications:

1. Enrolled as a JMU graduate student for the 2024-2025 academic year.
2. Enrollment in counseling/human services based graduate program. (preferred)
3. Student employees must maintain a minimum GPA that keeps them in good standing with their academic program.
4. Demonstration of a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity both in learning and in practice.
5. Demonstration of strong interpersonal, leadership, customer service and administrative skills.
6. High ethical standards and strong work ethic.
7. Excellent written and verbal communication.
8. Able and willing to attend appropriate trainings to access JMU systems.
9. Any significant time commitments while employed as a staff member must be discussed and approved by the designated supervisor. All hours of this assistantship take place between 8am and 5pm, Monday - Friday.
10. This is an academic year appointment. The start date for your GA position will be training which will begin as early as, but not before August 12, 2024. Student will not be expected to work during finals week and student breaks.
11. This position requires you to be available for training from 8am-5pm on weekdays between August 12th and 22nd 2024 for new staff training.

Conditions of Employment:

Students may apply to a graduate assistantship prior to being accepted into a graduate program. However, to be eligible to receive an assistantship upon entry into a graduate program, the following criteria must be met:

The student must be conditionally or unconditionally accepted into a graduate program. Students who are provisionally accepted will not be eligible until they achieve conditional or unconditional acceptance into their program.

The students must have an official transcript on file indicating completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or agency

After receiving an assistantship, the student must maintain at least a 3.0 graduate GPA in order to retain or reapply for the assistantship.

These are minimum criteria. Graduate program coordinators have the right to impose additional criteria if they see fit.

Additional Posting Information:

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.