Graduate Assistant - Residence Life, Staff Selection & Training

Working Title: Graduate Assistant - Residence Life, Staff Selection & Training

State Role Title:N/A

Position Type:Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Residence Life

Department: 300000 - Residence Life Admin

Pay Band:

Pay Rate:Stipend

Specify Range or Amount: 10,301.00

Is this a JMU only position?N/A

Is this a grant-funded position?No

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

Beginning Review Date:04/22/2026

About JMU:

Situated in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

Mission Statement:
The Office of Residence Life is committed to designing and maintaining a caring
environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth and responsibility to one's community.

Optional Opportunity:
The successful candidate will have the option to work during the summer leading up to the fall 2026 semester.

Duties and Responsibilities:

* Attend and participate in all meetings arranged by the Assistant Director of Staff Selection and Training and/or Residence Life.
* Learn and adhere to Title II digital accessibility requirements in all communications and formats
* Design and execute recruitment events in the fall semester including the RA Recruitment Fair
* Connect with campus partners to provide additional recruitment-based events and opportunities (e.g. mock interview sessions with the Career Center, attending the Part-Time Student Employment Fair hosted by Student Employment, and participating in the Off Campus Service's Housing Fair)
* Work with the Social Media and Marketing Manager to creatively advertise all student staff positions within Residence Life as well as to update the ResLife Student Employment Hub website as needed
* Manages the ResLife Student Jobs email to ensure that all questions are responded to in a timely manner
* Plans the recruitment and selection timeline for the following academic year in accordance with the academic calendar
* Co-leads the Resident Adviser and Undergraduate Hall Director selection process with the Assistant Director of Staff Selection and Training
* Edits the Resident Adviser and Undergraduate Hall Director interview questions to better connect with each position as well as allow candidates the best opportunity to demonstrate their skills while interviewing
* Maintains and updates selection and employment data within StarRez and on the ResLife Employment Portal in StarRez
* Ensures that internal and campus partners are kept up to date on all hiring and employment information including staff resignations and terminations
* Provides constructive feedback to student staff applicants who were not hired following selection notifications being distributed
* Co-organizes the Community Sign-Up process with the Assistant Director of Staff Selection and Training in the spring semester
* Provides support with Residence Life pre-service training and additional training throughout the year
* Assists in planning and co-instructing the Psychology 100 class for new Resident Advisers
* Trains Residence Life staff members on appropriate interview etiquette and how to utilize StarRez to input interview information
* Assists the Assistant Director of Staff Selection and Training in planning Staff Kick-Off in the spring semester for the upcoming academic year

The GA for Selection & Training will be exposed to the purposeful application of the following student development, career development, counseling, and/or organizational theories:
* Career Development Theories (Holland, Super)
* Self- Authorship Theory and Learning Partnership Models (Baxter Magolda, King)
* Transition Theory (Nancy Schlossberg)
* Cognitive Developmental Theories: (Kohlberg, Belenky, Gilligan)
* Counseling Theories: (Reality Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, Existentialist)
* "Involvement Theory" (Astin)

The GA for Selection & Training will be able to participate in the following assessment and/or evaluation projects:
* Program evaluation principles
* Learning goal and learning outcome development
* Assess and develop on-going staff training

The GA for Selection & Training will be evaluated and provided on-going feedback in the following ways
* Weekly supervisory meetings
* Midterm evaluation to occur no later than January of that academic year
* Final evaluation to occur no later than May 5 of that academic year

Specific expectations include:
* Lead the student staff recruitment and selection process
* Communicate regularly with internal and campus partners throughout the year
* Patience, customer service skills, and organization skills
* Constructive and kind while providing feedback to applicants
* Support the mission and activities of Learning Initiatives and Residence Life
* Perform designated tasks in a timely, organized, and professional manner
* Participate in Hall Director and Resident Adviser pre-service training during late July/August
* Adaptable to change during events and while managing hiring
* Maintain a positive attitude

Qualifications:

* Must be admitted to and enrolled in a JMU graduate program for the 2026-2027 academic year
* Demonstration of strong interpersonal, leadership, and administrative skills
* Demonstration of strong communication skills
* Demonstration of high ethical standards and strong work ethic
* Creativity encouraged
* Experience with programming/event management is encouraged
* Experience with project management is encouraged

Additional Posting Information:

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.

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.