Graduate Assistant - Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC)

CSPDC Graduate Assistant Position Details - JMU Template

Position Information

Working Title: Graduate Assistant - Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part Time

College/Division: Research, Economic Development & Innovation

Department: 100678 - Madison Center for Community Development

Pay Rate: Stipend

Specify Range or Amount: $9,816 ($4,098 per semester)

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes

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

Beginning Review Date: April 1, 2025

Closing Date: Open until filled

Proposed Starting Date: August 11, 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 Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) is a regional planning body established by the Code of Virginia. The CSPDC serves the local governments of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, and Rockingham counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, and Waynesboro, as well as the 11 towns within the Central Shenandoah region.

The CSPDC works with its member jurisdictions, communities, and agencies to provide high-quality planning, technical assistance, and facilitation of services that address local, regional, and state needs in an innovative and cooperative manner. For more information about the CSPDC, visit www.cspdc.org.

This Graduate research assistant position will provide operational and technical support of planning activities to the CSPDC and its member jurisdictions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist planners with collecting data and information for inclusion in the planning process.
• Prepare, verify, and interpret data for possible recommendations.
• Document methodology and results for use in studies.
• Conduct outreach activities and communicate with various stakeholders to obtain information for planning purposes.
• Write, edit, and review reports and materials for planning projects.
• Present projects, data, and plans to stakeholders and respond to questions or concerns about the project or report.
• Assist planners with grant management, including identifying funding opportunities, drafting grant applications, tracking executed grants.
• Provide operational and programmatic support to the CSPDC's community and economic development team, and the transportation and transit team as needed.
• Provide general administrative support for the office as needed.
• The graduate research assistant will also participate in workshops hosted by the Madison Center for Community Development to facilitate student oversight and professional development.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Experience, coursework, and/or interest in community planning and economic development, strategic planning, or public management.
• Excellent oral, written, and intercultural communication skills.
• Ability to speak publicly and facilitate meetings.
• A friendly and professional demeanor, including detail orientation and reliability.
• Flexibility in working in a team environment or independently.
• Ability to interact with customers and colleagues in a professional, fair, and confidential manner including public officials and other government staff.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while managing tasks independently.
• Technology skills, including the use of the Microsoft Office suite of products, online survey software, and virtual meeting software. Social media and WordPress website management experience a plus.
• Willingness to learn new skills required to complete job responsibilities.
• Preference is for a student able to provide project continuity over a two-year period, including completion of an on-site summer internship in between years one and two of the graduate assistantship.

Additional Posting Information:

Conditions of Employment

Work for this assistantship will be completed in-person at the CSPDC offices in Staunton, VA. The successful candidate must be able to work on site. Limited opportunity for telework may be available after an initial probationary period.

The work schedule for this position can be determined based on the successful candidate's course work, but will generally be within standard business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm). Some evening meetings may be required if they are not in conflict with the student's course schedule.

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.

Minimum Reference(s) Required: 2-3 references

Documents Needed to Apply:

Required:

• Resume
• Cover letter that discusses what the applicant hopes to gain from working with CSPDC and relevance to future aspirations