Madison Community Scholars, Environment & Sustainability Support - FWS

About the role

The Madison Community Scholars (MCS) program is designed for current JMU students who are eligible for Federal Work Study. The program offers paid, off-campus positions that provide real-world experience and contribute positively to the community.

Responsibilities

• Engaging in outdoor work such as planting, pruning, mulching, weeding, harvesting, etc.
• Sustaining new sustainability initiatives like passive solar greenhouses, carbon farming, renewable energy, etc.
• Managing trails including invasive plant removal, weatherization, etc.
• Organizing tools and storage tasks like shed management, labeling, inventory, etc.
• Providing outdoor learning spaces for children and other community members.
• Assisting with associated events such as sustainability summits, farmer's markets, CSAs, etc.
• Regularly managing timesheets using an online platform and submitting them twice a month.
• Participating in weekly workshops for new MCS students during the fall semester.
• Attending bi-weekly workshops for all MCS students during the spring semester.
• Having one-on-one meetings with your CEVC MCS advisor once per semester.
• Participating in MCS Community Days, typically mid-semester on Fridays at midday for approximately 2.5 hours.
• Engaging in two semesterly campus or community educational programs.
• Consistently working 6 or more hours per week for the full academic year (excluding academic breaks).

Qualifications

• Be a current JMU student (enrolled on at least a half-time basis).
• Eligible for Federal Work Study via the '26 – '27 financial aid package.