Edtech.com's Summary

James Madison University is hiring an Arboretum Public Relations and Marketing Specialist (Part-Time). This role focuses on driving increased revenue through sales and fundraising, ensuring smooth operations and effective public communications, and enhancing the arboretum's reputation. Responsibilities include managing plant sales, coordinating fundraising materials, overseeing digital presence, and managing visitor relations.

Highlights

Manage business aspects of plant sales and oversee fundraising campaigns.
Coordinate public communication and advertising for arboretum events.
Oversee digital presence on website and social media.
Supervise interns and manage volunteer appreciation programs.
Required skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe products, and web-based design tools like Canva.
Hourly pay at $21.25.
Requires experience in marketing, communication, fundraising, and customer service.
Requires strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Arboretum Public Relations and Marketing Specialist Full Description

Working Title:Arboretum Public Relations and Marketing Specialist (Part-Time)

State Role Title: Public Relations and Marketing Specialist III

Position Type: Part-time - Wage / Part-time Salaried

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: N/A

College/Division: Business Services

Department:100119 - Arboretum

Pay Rate: Hourly

Specify Range or Amount:$21.25

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: 06/18/2025

About JMU:

JMU is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. JMU offers several perks to all employees including:
• A Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
• Free Access to the University Recreation Center (UREC): Employees can enjoy facility access and program registration privileges at UREC and University Park. This includes the climbing wall, equipment centers, and group exercise studios.
• A variety of voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Identity Theft and Legal Protection Plans, and several other supplemental benefits.
• Holiday Breaks: The university is granted 12 holidays a year.
• Talent Development Trainings: The Talent Development department offers a wide variety of personal and professional trainings, eligible for all employees to join.

Visit our Benefits site to learn more about the benefits that James Madison University offers to part-time employees!

General Information:

The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum is a urban forest and public garden on JMU's campus. It's mission is to promote native species, provide opportunities for research and academic use, and educate about the natural and botanical world. The primary purpose of the Public Relations and Marketing Specialist role is to drive increased revenue through sales and fundraising, ensure smooth programmatic operations and high-quality public communications, and enhance the reputation and visibility of the Arboretum. This will necessarily include maintaining clear and accurate records.

This is an in-person, part-time position of up to 1500 hours per year (up to 29 hours per week). Exact schedule to be negotiated, but the vast majority of hours will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday with occasional evening or (3-4 Saturdays a year) weekend obligations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Fundraising and Revenue Generation:
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. Possible future opportunity to facilitate plant ordering and plant vendor communications.
Collaborate with development staff to generate fundraising materials including an annual appeal campaign, membership campaigns, and JMU Giving Day campaigns.
Manage and communicate with public about facility rentals and event reservations including weddings.
Manage inventory of our small gift shop and micro-art gallery for local artists including communicating with current and potential vendors and featured artists.

Visitor Relations:
Present the Arboretum positively to the public through all avenues of outreach to increase visibility and enhance the visitor experience.
Answer phone calls, take messages, and direct calls professionally and courteously.
Assist education center visitors with questions and facilitate purchases with excellent customer service.

Advertising and Engagement:
Serve as Arboretum webmaster.
Oversee a team of interns and marketing assistant to manage the Arboretum’s digital presence including the website, social media accounts (Facebook and Instagram) in accordance with University standards.
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.
Effectively advertise Arboretum events for sustained and increased attendance throughout the community through a variety of venues and media.
Maintain the Arboretum master calendar and use JMU event management system for integrating with campus calendar.
Create photographs of Arboretum facilities and events for promotional and record-keeping use.

Program Management:

Train, schedule, and supervise a team of student interns, event assistants, and work study students.
Organize, implement, and manage events designed for revenue generation, donor engagement, member and volunteer appreciation.
Manage the Arboretum’s Membership and donor recognition programs, including keeping accurate and current lists of members, sending thank you packets and renewal notices, and assessing and refining the programs.
Liaise with the Arboretum’s Advisory Board on public relations and revenue-generating initiatives.
Assist with tracking Arboretum usage and annual reporting.

Outreach:
Attend local outreach events and plan activities for engaging activities there to drive increased visitation, awareness of resources, and membership/donations.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Basic familiarity with horticulture, plants, and trees.
Experience in marketing, communication, fundraising, customer service, event planning or related areas.
Work well independently and also in a team setting.
Strong written and verbal communication skills along with strong proofreading skills.
Attention to detail with an aesthetic eye, able to handle money accurately; ability to maintain clear and accurate records.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
Computer skills: ability to use 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.

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

Additional Posting Information:

In addition to a resume and cover letter, you may submit a small representative sampling of marketing or fundraising materials you have produced under "Portfolio" if available.

Conditions of Employment:

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

This is a part-time wage position working up to an average of 29 hours per week over the course of a calendar year with no benefits.

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.

Original Job Description