Working Title: Graduate Assistant-Sport & Recreation Leadership (Rockingham County Public Schools)

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 Rockingham County Public Schools for AY 2026-2027. The primary focus of this will be to work hand in hand with the East Rockingham Activities Director to facilitate day to day tasks including scheduling, event management, eligibility checks, purchasing of equipment, and all other tasks needed to provide an exceptional activities/athletic experience for RCPS students.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants for this position MUST apply to the JMU Sport and Recreation
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 or for more information, contact Ben Carr at carrbh@jmu.edu or Julie Wallace Carr at wallacje@jmu.edu.

Rockingham County Public Schools 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 Rockingham County Public Schools to gain professional experience in athletic and activities management and attend classes at James Madison University.

Graduate assistantships include enrollment in the Sport and Recreation graduate program (Sport & Recreation concentration, preferred) and involve 20 hours of work per week at Rockingham County Public Schools (East Rockingham High School) during the academic school year. Graduate assistants will begin work prior to the start of the school year (August 10, 2026); the position continues through the end of the academic year the following May (May 13, 2027). The position includes a stipend and a tuition waiver.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate athletic events; schedule facilities, maintain records and files, prepare reports.
• Establish, organize, and coordinate all athletic programs including athletic schedules, fitness, and special events with an emphasis on VHSL activities at the high school level.
• Aid with development of the seasonal activities guide that is distributed to the public.
• Set-up facilities and prepare high school activity schedules.
• Prepare correspondence and materials to promote East Rockingham, Rockingham County Public Schools and the VHSL (Virginia High School League).
• Manage the seasonal day-to-day operations of the high school’s athletic/activity programs.
• Provide the general public with information on East Rockingham High School's activities including a strong presence on social media.
• Ensure the readiness of athletic fields, gymnasiums and other facilities.
• Assist with the scheduling of facility use.
• Assist in implementation of programming and daily functioning of East Rockingham High School’s athletic facilities.

Qualifications:

Must be accepted into the Sport and Recreation Leadership graduate program (Sport & Recreation concentration, preferred) at James Madison University
Bachelor’s degree required

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.