Assistant Director, Program and Student Development

Working Title: Assistant Director, Program and Student Development

State Role Title: Trainer and Instructor II

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Life and Involvement

Department: 300174 - Community Engagement and Volunteer Center

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $51,000 - $56,000 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 06/01/2026

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.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

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:

Student Affairs mission is to engage all students in accessible and welcoming learning, growth, and personal development opportunities and experiences. Our vision is that every student thrives. We offer staff members opportunities to learn, grow, and engage with our whole division. Professional development investment is essential and intentional for positions.

This position provides strategic leadership for Community Engagement and Volunteer Center's (CEVC) co-curricular programs to advance community-engaged and work-based learning opportunities, working closely with students and ensuring effective program implementation, curriculum development, student training, and efficient, creative use of shared resources.

This is a partially grant funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Oversight of Co-curricular Programs

• Provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for academic-year co-curricular programs, including Alternative Breaks, Dukes Volunteer, and Dukes Making a Difference, ensuring alignment with established student learning outcomes and community partner priorities.
• Lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Madison Community Summer Fellowship, launching as a pilot in summer 2027.
• Responsibilities include developing learning outcomes and curricula, selecting students and community partners, and facilitating weekly learning and reflection sessions.
• Supervise, mentor, and provide ongoing direction to a team of undergraduate student coordinators to ensure high-quality program delivery and continuous program development.
• Manage program budgets, resource allocation, and liability assessments with a high degree of independent authority, ensuring compliance with institutional guidelines and responsible stewardship of CEVC funds.
• Apply professional expertise and judgment to analyze student leadership trends, anticipate emerging programmatic needs, recommend strategic enhancements, and assess and mitigate associated risks.

Training & Supervision

• Design, implement, facilitate, and continuously improve the educational curriculum for CEVC student coordinators, including comprehensive fall training and weekly workshops focused on professional skills, personal development, community building, and social impact.
• Develop learning, leadership, and networking opportunities for all student leaders engaged in CEVC programs.
• Partner with CEVC professional staff to create meaningful learning experiences, co-facilitate trainings, and coordinate special project teams, ensuring alignment with CEVC’s educational goals and values.

Coordination of Madison Community Scholars (MCS)

• Support the continued growth and evolution of the Madison Community Scholars program into a more internship-like experience, matching and supporting 70+ students in paid positions across 60+ community partner organizations.
• Serve as the primary liaison to community partner organizations, offering guidance on student supervision, program expectations, and best practices.
• Collaborate with CEVC staff to facilitate effective student–community partner matches and coordinate learning workshops that enhance student development.
• Lead recruitment, selection, and placement processes for MCS participants, exercising independent judgment to ensure strong alignment with program goals and community needs.

Departmental and Institutional Engagement

• Represent CEVC in campus and community-based contexts, serving as a visible and knowledgeable ambassador for the department.
• Coordinate with other CEVC programs to ensure service availability, prevent duplication of efforts, and maximize collective impact.
• Participate in CEVC staff meetings and university committees as assigned.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with campus and community stakeholders.
• Provide informed recommendations and communicate effectively about student needs, programmatic issues, and emerging opportunities.

Evaluation and Assessment

• Implement assessment strategies for CEVC student coordinator roles and co-curricular programs to measure student learning outcomes and community impact.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize feedback from students and community partners to evaluate partnership effectiveness and program quality.
• Prepare and maintain reports, data summaries, and presentations related to areas of responsibility to support continuous improvement and strategic decision-making.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Experience facilitating learning for personal growth, professional development, community building, and social impact
• Ability to develop and deliver content using experiential learning techniques and educational learning theories
• Demonstrated skills in group facilitation, logistics, and effective communication
• Demonstrated success with independent decision-making, problem-solving, and risk assessment
• Demonstrated commitment to creating just and sustainable communities

Additional Considerations:

• Experience supervising student staff or managing teams in high impact learning in community engaged settings
• Experience responding to emergent issues or serving in an on-call capacity
• Knowledge of student development and community engagement best practices

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment:  

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

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.