Associate Director, James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
James Madison University recently created the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement to support the institution’s bold vision to be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world: http://www.jmu.edu/civic/. Civic engagement at JMU means advancing the legacy of James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, by preparing individuals to be active and responsible participants in a representative democracy dedicated to the common good. Although often viewed as synonymous with community engagement, civic engagement is characterized by a sense of citizenship and public responsibility. The James Madison Center for Civic Engagement is a high-profile, high-priority administrative entity and is hiring an Associate Director to support on-going civic engagement initiatives on campus, create new opportunities, and elevate the national profile of JMU’s exciting civic engagement efforts.
The Associate Director reports to the newly-hired Executive Director and will contribute heavily to designing the shape and direction of the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement. It is a 12-month, masters-level position. Specific duties include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Develop and implement civic learning and democratic engagement programming by collaborating with campus partners (e.g., faculty and students) and external organizations when appropriate (e.g., James Madison’s Montpelier, Harrisonburg Board of Elections, VA Campus Compact, American Democracy Project)
- Serve as advisor for Dukes Vote, JMU’s voter registration and education initiative, with a vision of making voter education a year-round, student-led programming effort
- Manage Dukes Vote website and social media accounts in partnership with student leaders
- Enhance campus-wide Constitution Day and Madison Week programming and develop new initiatives linking civic engagement to James Madison’s legacy
- Serve on coordinating team supporting JMU’s nationally recognized Madison Debate Society
- Support implementation of Madison Vision Series, the JMU President’s campus speaker series
- Develop visible presence at JMU civic engagement activities and serve on relevant JMU committees
- Represent JMU’s civic engagement efforts at regional and national conferences and meetings
- Supervise the James Madison Center’s Engagement Fellow and Graduate Assistant
- Support administrative infrastructure of the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master’s degree
- Demonstrated expertise in civic learning and democratic engagement, particularly within a higher education context
- Ability to facilitate conversations about civic engagement with students, faculty, media, and community members
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written and oral communication, and management skills
- Collaborative spirit, and experience developing partnerships with Academic and Student Affairs
- Commitment to undergraduate learning and student development
- Appreciation of diversity in its many forms as an essential asset to civic engagement
- Competency with social media as a means to communicate with students and highlight initiatives
- Commitment to non-partisanship when representing JMU and the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
- Recognition of the balance between crafting a vision and implementing programs
- Clear appreciation for the urgency to prepare students to be educated and enlightened citizens
Preferred:
- Experience developing and implementing effective voter registration and education initiatives
- Working knowledge of national organizations supporting civic engagement in higher education
- Experience creating and implementing programs for college students
- Employment experience within an institution of higher education
To apply, visit http://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/2722 or go to JobLink.jmu.edu and reference posting number F1094. Applicants will complete the faculty profile and upload a letter of interest and a resume.
Review of applications will begin on 2/12/2018 and will continue until the position is filled. The start date is no later than July 1, 2018, with the option to start earlier being available. Please contact the search chair, Dr. Gwyn Mellinger, Director of the School of Media Arts & Design, with questions at mellingx@jmu.edu.
James Madison University is an equal opportunity employer 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, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.