Working Title: Graduate Assistant-Sport & Recreation Leadership (Horizon’s Edge Sports Campus)

State Role Title: Graduate Assistant

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: $10,110

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

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

Beginning Review Date: 02/20/2026

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 Horizon’s Edge Sports Campus for AY 2026-2027.

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.

Horizon’s Edge Sports Campus is partnering with the James Madison University Sport and Recreation Leadership Master’s degree program to offer this graduate assistant position. This is a unique experience where students will work with Horizon’s Edge Sports Campus to gain professional experience in facility, program and event management and attend classes at James Madison University. The GA will take an active role in operational and programmatic tasks such as operational leadership shifts, program administration and facilitation, food and beverage operations, and customer service while developing their leadership skills in the workplace. Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice their risk management and critical thinking skills in this fun, exciting position in a state-of-the-art facility and full-service sports campus.

Graduate assistantships include enrollment in the Sport and Recreation graduate program (Sport & Recreation concentration, preferred) and involve 20 hours of work per week at Horizon’s Edge Sports Campus 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. Weekend and evening work required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Support in the successful day-to-day operations of Horizons Edge Sports Campus based on assigned department.
• With the approval of the Leadership Team, identify, outline, execute, and present a project contributing to the successful operation or improvement of Horizons Edge Sports Campus
• Shadow various department heads as scheduled to learn functions and daily operations of each
• Work with the Program Director to develop and implement recreational sports programs allowing guests the opportunity to participate in recreational play, leagues, and/or club sports
• Aid in the planning and promotion of recreational programs, camps, and special events.
• Evaluate current program offerings making suggestions for improvement or adjustment
• Coordinate and execute selected programs and events as assigned.
• Foresee potential issues and react/adapt in an appropriate manner to minimize any negative impact on customers.
• Lead by example demonstrating excellent work ethic to part time staff
• Respond to incoming phone calls and walk-in guests relating to reservation inquiries and program operations.
• Listen, communicate, and work effectively with guests, staff, and management in a fast-paced environment.
• Complete any necessary paperwork such as injury/incident reports, maintenance requests, closing check lists, and inventories in a timely and accurate manner
• Exemplify and enforce the facility’s policies and procedures ensuring safety to all staff and guests
• Provide courteous and friendly service to all guests and provide answers and directions as needed
• Have general knowledge regarding program options and facility events
• Open and close facility following outlined procedures
• Support as a Team Lead and/or Welcome Desk Attendant as needed.

Qualifications:

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
• Previous experience organizing recreational sports programs or working in sports facility preferred • Knowledge of special event programming preferred
• Experience with supervision/leadership of undergraduate students preferred
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team • Strong computer skills required • Weekend and evening availability required
• First Aid/CPR Certification Required or ability and willingness to obtain

Additional Posting Information:

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Employee may be required to sit or stand for hours at a time and carry loads exceeding 50 pounds, climb and descend stairs daily. Employee will be required to maintain focus throughout sports programs. May be required to perform other tasks which may require walking, kneeling or crouching for long periods of time. Specific vision capabilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision and the employee must have the ability to hear communication via phone, voicemail, and in person.
Work Environment:
The work environment described is representative of what must be tolerated by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work in an indoor/outdoor sports facility setting in varying temperature and weather conditions. Volume in high traffic areas such as lobbies, program spaces, and dining facilities will range in volume from very loud to very quiet

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.