Working Title: JMU Libraries Media Production and Makerspace Services Graduate Assistant

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

College/Division: JMU Libraries

Department: 100113 - Libraries

Pay Rate: Stipend

Specify Range or Amount: $9,530 stipend / academic year plus tuition (refer to the Graduate School website)

Is this a JMU only position? N/A

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

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:

JMU Libraries seeks a graduate assistant to contribute to the Media Production and Makerspace Services (MPMS) department for the 2024-2025 academic year, beginning in August 2024 and ending May 2025.

At its core, Media Production and Makerspace Services is a suite of spaces and services that serve as conduit from ideation to creation for JMU faculty, students and staff. Department staff have a wealth of knowledge and apply it to support users in various ways. Department staff provide full-service support to instructional faculty who are developing course material, teach workshops to those who wish to enhance skills, provide 1:1 support to walk-in patrons at The Makery, and supervise safe operations in all spaces.

The graduate assistant will collaborate with MPMS staff by executing media production projects, working shifts in The Makery, evaluating documentation within the department, and facilitating instruction to students. The position will allow and encourage the hired candidate to learn new digital skills and technologies on the job and to participate in the collaborative work of MPMS.

The graduate assistant will be expected to work 20 hours per week in Rose Library. Weekly schedule is flexible within a Sunday-Friday, 8 am to 7 pm schedule. Upon request and in consultation with the supervisor, the graduate assistants will be able to work a portion of the 20 hours remotely.

The Libraries particularly welcomes applicants who can enhance the inclusive excellence of our campus community, and who can demonstrate a commitment to building equitable and inclusive environments for teaching, learning, research, and service. We are committed to cultivating a welcoming place for everyone, encouraging dialogue and celebrating diverse life experiences and perspectives. We encourage experimentation and creativity in pursuit of meaningful solutions that build on our position as core academic infrastructure for our campus community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Manages, assists, and performs media production projects including directing, lighting, camerawork, editing, motion graphic creation, communication with students, faculty and staff, and documenting work according to procedures.

Provides excellent customer service while assisting faculty, staff, students, and community patrons with questions related to their media production projects, makerspace technology projects, and class assignments.

Evaluate, update, and create training documentation for MPMS equipment and software such as 3D Printers, vinyl cutter, button maker, photo editing software, video editing software, etc.

Facilitate workshops for JMU students on topics related to multimedia or makerspace technology. Develop and/or update workshop lesson plans and materials.

Participate in professional development opportunities.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Expected acceptance into a graduate program

Strong communication skills (verbal and written)

Ability to work independently and take initiative, as well as collaborate in a team environment

Cultural competence and the ability to engage with a diverse community of library users

Critical thinking skills

Time management skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Proficiency with video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut, etc.)

Experience with camera and audio equipment, lighting equipment.

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.

Additional Posting Information:

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.