Graduate Assistant - Sport & Recreation Leadership (Harrisonburg City Parks & Rec, Athletics Programs)

Working Title: Graduate Assistant - Sport & Recreation Leadership (Harrisonburg City Parks & Rec, Athletics Programs)

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

 

College/Division: College of Business

Department: 100624 - Hospitality, Sport and Rec Management

 

Pay Rate: Stipend

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? N/A

 

Beginning Review Date: 03/05/2025

 

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 Sport and Recreation Leadership master’s degree program invites applications for a 20 hour/week graduate assistantship working with Harrisonburg City Parks & Recreation.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants for this position MUST apply to the JMU Sport and Recreation Leadership master’s degree program BEFORE applying for this GA position. If you only apply to for this GA position without applying to the Sport and Recreation Leadership master’s degree program, your GA application will NOT be considered. If you have any questions about this requirement, contact Ben Carr at carrbh@jmu.edu.

Harrisonburg City Parks & Recreation is partnering with the James Madison University Sport and Recreation Leadership Master’s degree program to offer this graduate assistant position with Athletics Programs. It is a unique experience where students will work with Harrisonburg City Parks & Recreation to gain professional experience in programming, administration, event planning and community outreach in a parks and recreation program.
Graduate assistantships include enrollment in the Sport and Recreation graduate program (Sport & Recreation concentration, preferred) and involve 20 hours of work per week at Harrisonburg City Parks & Recreation during the academic school year. Graduate assistants will begin work prior to the start of the school year and the position continues through the end of the academic year. The position includes a stipend and a tuition waiver.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:
Serve as primary assistant to Athletics Manager related to athletic programs, leagues and trainings. This will include, but is not limited to:
• Organizing, leading, and monitoring a variety of youth and adult athletic programs.
• Maintains rosters, registration forms, and enforces established league bylaws.
• Registers participants for youth and adult athletics.
• Ensures the proper setup of various sport-specific athletic fields, gymnasiums, and other athletic facilities.
• Assists with the preparation of social media content, flyers, and website content.

 

Qualifications:

• Must be accepted into the Sport and Recreation Leadership graduate program (Sport & Recreation concentration, preferred) at James Madison University.
• Bachelor’s degree required. Degree in Recreation or Sport Management, preferred.
• Skilled in organizing recreational sports programming
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team.

 

Additional Posting Information:

Stipend: $9,816 (current year)
Tuition: Full-tuition waiver
Start Date: 8/10/2025 Ending Date: 5/9/2026

 

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