Graduate Assistant - Civic Engagement

Ramapo; Mahwah (NJ); On-site; USD 9,000 - 11,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

New Jersey State Benefits

Generous PTO

Professional development opportunities

Tuition discounts for employees and/or

Dependent tuition discounts

Wellness programs

Job summary

Ramapo College of New Jersey is seeking a Graduate Assistant to support Civic Engagement programs, coordinate workshops, and assist with campus partnerships. This on-campus role offers hands-on experience in higher education administration and student leadership development.

The GA will work with the Civic Engagement Programming Facilitator and the CC EC, providing data tracking, internship supervision, and grant compliance support, while engaging with community partners to broaden student

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a graduate program at Ramapo College or another accredited college/university for a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester or two (2) courses per semester, whichever is greater, during the academic year.
• Proof of course enrollment and good academic standing each semester.
• Active and satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a graduate degree with transcripts provided to the Supervisor/Human Resources at the end of each semester.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate four annual campus-wide civic engagement workshops and civil discourse initiatives.
• Assist with the Legacies in the Making program for first-generation students.
• Provide administrative support for faculty project stipends and community-engaged projects.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Office software

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Microsoft Excel/Sheets

Job description

About Ramapo College of New Jersey

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college, where students build the confidence, skills, and perspective to thrive in a changing world. Located on a breathtaking 300-acre campus in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains and just a short trip from New York City, Ramapo blends the best of both worlds: natural beauty, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to one of the world’s most dynamic job markets.

With approximately 6,000 students, Ramapo offers a personalized, student-centered experience defined by a 16:1 student–faculty ratio, small classes, and faculty who mentor, challenge, and inspire. Students can explore over 40 undergraduate majors and a growing portfolio of graduate programs in fields such as Business Administration, Data Science, Nursing, Educational Leadership, Social Work, Special Education, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Across every discipline, Ramapo emphasizes hands-on learning through internships, co-ops, study abroad, faculty research, service projects, and real-world experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers.

Our campus is home to cutting-edge academic spaces, including the Anisfield School of Business, the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence, the Sharp Sustainability Education Center, the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts, the Les Paul Music Studio, and the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons. Ramapo’s award-winning residence halls are consistently ranked among the best in New Jersey.

Nationally recognized for excellence and value, Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public colleges by College Choice, named a Best Regional University North by U.S. News & World Report, and celebrated by Kiplinger’s, Money Magazine, Colleges of Distinction, and Victory Media’s Military Friendly rankings.

At Ramapo, students don’t just earn degrees; they discover their strengths, explore new possibilities, and build the foundation for bold futures.

Working at Ramapo

Ramapo College of New Jersey has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For,” where our employees are at the heart of everything we do. We foster an equitable and fair workplace where ideas are welcomed, contributions are valued, and individuals are encouraged to grow both professionally and personally. Employees benefit from meaningful work, opportunities for development, and the chance to make a lasting impact on students’ lives every day.

At Ramapo College, we believe excellence is achieved through teamwork, respect, accountability, innovation, and a shared commitment to learning. Our all-hands-on deck culture requires leadership at all levels to ensure we achieve our mission, implement our goals, and invest in our future one student at a time. We are proud to offer a supportive environment that values well-being and continuous improvement. We believe in being bold, being kind, and being good teammates, making Ramapo not just a place to work, but a great place to belong.

Ramapo College offers outstanding benefits through the New Jersey State Benefits system, generous PTO, professional development opportunities, wellness programs, tuition discounts for employees and their dependents, and much more.

Position details

This is a part-time graduate assistantship with no more than 20 hours per week of work. The hours of work and days are determined by the supervisor to meet project needs. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. This is a 10-month position.

Compensation

• $10,000 per year
• $8,000 tuition waiver/reimbursement

Above will be pro-rated if start date is not beginning of Fall semester.

JOB SUMMARY

The Graduate Assistant (GA) supports the Civic Engagement Programming Facilitator in coordinating and implementing campus-wide civic engagement, community-engaged learning, and civil discourse initiatives. Operating under Section 4 of the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant, this position provides hands-on experience in higher education program administration, community outreach, student leadership development, and platform management. The position works closely with the Civic Engagement Programming Facilitator, the Civic and Community Engagement Center (CCEC), undergraduate interns, and regional non-profit and municipal partners to enhance student persistence and broaden exposure to diverse perspectives.

The Graduate Assistant plays a key role in supporting four core grant activities: coordinating campus-wide civil discourse and civic engagement workshops, assisting with first-generation bridge program workshops ("Legacies in the Making"), and providing administrative support for faculty course innovation stipends and co-designed community-engaged projects. The position also provides supervision and guidance to undergraduate student interns, assists with data tracking and grant compliance reporting, and manages project logistics.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, promoting, and coordinating logistics for four annual campus-wide workshops focused on civil discourse, constructive dialogue across differences, and relevant societal topics (e.g., housing affordability, generational ideological differences,and higher education funding).
• Support the delivery of civic engagement workshops during the "Legacies in the Making" program for first-generation students.
• Assist in coordinating visits, panels, and interactions with policymakers and community leaders representing diverse political and ideological viewpoints.
• Community Partnerships & Faculty Project Support
• Provide administrative and logistical support for Flexible Co-Designed Community- Engaged projects pairing faculty and students with regional non-profits, municipal offices and nonpartisan community groups.
• Support outreach to local community organizations, non-profits, and municipal partners to foster sustainable community learning opportunities.
• Student Leadership & General Office Support
• Assist the Facilitator in guiding, scheduling, and supporting four undergraduate student interns working on civic education programming.
• Maintain organized electronic files, participant records of students doing community and civic engaged projects including internships, and workshop evaluation data.
• Perform other related project duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Academic & Enrollment Requirements:

• Enrollment in a graduate program at Ramapo College or another accredited college/university for a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester or two (2) courses per semester, whichever is greater, during the academic year.
• Proof of course enrollment and good academic standing each semester.
• Active and satisfactory academic progress toward completion of a graduate degree (Master’s program) with transcripts provided to the Supervisor/Human Resources at the end of each semester.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.
• Availability to work 20 hours per week from September through June, with flexibility to meet occasional night and weekend scheduling requirements for events and workshops.

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Strong interest or academic background in civic engagement, civil discourse, public policy, social work, higher education administration, or community development.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with an ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, external non-profit partners, and policymakers.
• Excellent organizational skills, detail orientation, and project management abilities.
• Proficiency with standard office software (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft Excel/Sheets) and willingness to learn/manage platform tools like GivePulse and Canvas.
• Demonstrated ability to engage constructively across diverse political, cultural, and ideological viewpoints.

EEO STATEMENT: Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and other diversity programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.