Community Engagement Specialist - Arboretum

Working Title: Community Engagement Specialist - Arboretum

State Role Title: PR Marketing Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

 

College/Division: Business Services

Department: 100119 - Arboretum

 

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $45,550 - $47,000 

 

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: 05/22/2026

 

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:

The Community Engagement Specialist will manage a diverse range of Arboretum communications and revenue-generating programs including supervising student employees leading to increasing positive community engagement, philanthropic participation, increased revenue generation, and better departmental fulfillment of mission-based objectives.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Outreach and communication for philanthropy
Oversee the Arboretum’s donor-member program. Evaluate, strategize, develop, and execute effective methods to increase and retain number of members, quality of member engagement and appreciation, and communication effectiveness. Ensure accurate on-going communication with members about member status, renewal windows, and member appreciation.
Serve as primary liaison with Arboretum Advisory Board’s Development Committee.
Strategize, develop, and execute Arboretum philanthropic campaigns, both annual appeals, membership campaigns, and special topic campaigns. Collaborate with JMU advancement/development staff to generate fundraising materials for JMU-initiated campaigns such as Giving Day. Coordinate with advancement division staff.
2) Student Employee Supervision and Development:
Train, supervise, and deploy a team of student employees in work-based learning experiences to assist with jobs tasks as appropriate to their skills and goals.
3) Visitor Communications
Represent the Arboretum as spokesperson. Attend local outreach events to drive increased visitation, awareness of resources, and membership/donations.
Use writing expertise to compose meaningful and thematically-coherent newsletters and other promotional pieces in a variety of formats.
Produce the public communications of the Arboretum, including a quarterly newsletter, other emails and updates, event registration confirmations, event flyers, maps and kiosk displays, etc.
Serve as Arboretum webmaster and ensure website serves as an extension of departmental mission and tool for pursuing departmental objectives as well as ensuring compliance with laws and University policies.
Oversee the Arboretum’s social media presence (Facebook and Instagram) in accordance with University standards.
Write and place ads through multiple media formats including