Community Engagement Specialist - Arboretum

Working Title: Community Engagement Specialist - Arboretum

State Role Title: PR Marketing Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

 

College/Division: Business Services

Department: 100119 - Arboretum

 

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $45,550 - $47,000 

 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

 

Beginning Review Date: 05/22/2026

 

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

 

General Information:

The Community Engagement Specialist will manage a diverse range of Arboretum communications and revenue-generating programs including supervising student employees leading to increasing positive community engagement, philanthropic participation, increased revenue generation, and better departmental fulfillment of mission-based objectives.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Outreach and communication for philanthropy
Oversee the Arboretum’s donor-member program. Evaluate, strategize, develop, and execute effective methods to increase and retain number of members, quality of member engagement and appreciation, and communication effectiveness. Ensure accurate on-going communication with members about member status, renewal windows, and member appreciation.
Serve as primary liaison with Arboretum Advisory Board’s Development Committee.
Strategize, develop, and execute Arboretum philanthropic campaigns, both annual appeals, membership campaigns, and special topic campaigns. Collaborate with JMU advancement/development staff to generate fundraising materials for JMU-initiated campaigns such as Giving Day. Coordinate with advancement division staff.
2) Student Employee Supervision and Development:
Train, supervise, and deploy a team of student employees in work-based learning experiences to assist with jobs tasks as appropriate to their skills and goals.
3) Visitor Communications
Represent the Arboretum as spokesperson. Attend local outreach events to drive increased visitation, awareness of resources, and membership/donations.
Use writing expertise to compose meaningful and thematically-coherent newsletters and other promotional pieces in a variety of formats.
Produce the public communications of the Arboretum, including a quarterly newsletter, other emails and updates, event registration confirmations, event flyers, maps and kiosk displays, etc.
Serve as Arboretum webmaster and ensure website serves as an extension of departmental mission and tool for pursuing departmental objectives as well as ensuring compliance with laws and University policies.
Oversee the Arboretum’s social media presence (Facebook and Instagram) in accordance with University standards.
Write and place ads through multiple media formats including television, radio, web-based, newspaper/magazines, and local distribution of flyers.
Create photographs of Arboretum facilities and events for promotional and record-keeping use.
4) Event Planning and Management:
Plan, organize, and manage events designed for revenue generation, donor engagement, member and volunteer appreciation including the Litten lecture and Patron Recognition Event.
Track Arboretum usage and assist director with development of annual report and public-facing impact report.
Manage the business aspects of the spring and fall plant sales. Coordinate with other staff to maintain an accurate and up-to-date plant sale inventory, run the online plant sale and facilitate customer service in making payments and order accuracy. Ensure accurate financial transactions.
Maintain the Arboretum master calendar and use JMU event management system for integrating with campus calendar.
Manage and communicate with public about facility rentals and event reservations including weddings. Complete reservations and maintain up-to-date publications.
Manage inventory of our small gift shop and micro-art gallery for local artists including communicating with current and potential vendors and featured artists.
5) Front-line customer service for Arboretum visitors in person, online, and via email.
Answer phone calls, take messages, and direct calls professionally and courteously.
Assist education center visitors with questions and facilitate purchases with excellent customer service.

 

Qualifications:

Outstanding writing and verbal communication skills along with strong proofreading skills.
Ability to maintain clear and accurate records.
Education or experience in marketing, writing, university communications, fundraising, event planning or related areas.
Ability to work independently and be flexible with frequent interruptions.
Ability to collaborate and work well with others in a team setting.
Attention to detail with an aesthetic eye, able to handle money accurately.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
Computer skills: skilled in Microsoft office and Microsoft teams suite of products, Adobe products such as InDesign and Spark, and web-based design tools such as Canva.
Flexible, self-starter, innovative, willing to learn, professionalism and a positive attitude.
Basic familiarity with horticulture, plants, and trees.

Additional Considerations:
Interest in and enthusiasm for the natural world.

 

Additional Posting Information:

 

 

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

 

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 an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.