Live Productions Assistant (Part - Time)

James Madison University; Harrisonburg (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Waiver Program

UREC Access

Pet Insurance

Identity Theft Protection

Holiday Breaks

Talent Development Trainings

Job summary

James Madison University is seeking a Live Productions Assistant to join the JMU Sports Network, supporting ESPN+ broadcasts as part of the Sun Belt streaming agreement. The role combines behind-the-scenes production with occasional play-by-play during selected sports.

The part-time position recruits for the Broadcast Control Room at the Atlantic Union Bank Center, with pay at $21.50 per hour and no benefits. Evening and weekend hours are required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to learn new processes, procedures, and technologies quickly and effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a professional and customer-focused work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and contribute to shared goals.
• Availability and willingness to work evening and weekend hours based on athletic schedule.

Responsibilities

• Assist with all aspects of the production process including preproduction, live production and play-by-play.
• Learn operation and roles within the broadcast control room setting.
• Provide play-by-play live commentary for events (soccer, field hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball).
• Fill various roles on live productions (producer, director, TD, replay, graphics, shading, audio tech, playback).
• Assist with preproduction such as storyline development, interviews, coach prep, video editing, feature packaging, facility setup.
• Help supervise, train and schedule students on the production team.
• Work with professional broadcast freelance staff on production teams.
• Assist with broadcast engineering needs (signal flow, audio, fiber).

Skills

Multitask management

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Evening/weekend availability

Tools

Ross Xpression

Mira

Carbonite

Hitachi cameras

RTS/Clear-Com

Digital audio mixing

CCU remote controls

ST/LC/SMPTE fiber

Job description

Working Title: Live Productions Assistant (Part - Time)

State Role Title: Media Specialist II

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

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Intercollegiate Athletics

Department: 300055 - Athletics Communications

Pay Band:3

Pay Rate:Hourly

Specify Range or Amount: $21.50 per hour

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:11/10/2026

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:

James Madison University, a Division I member of the NCAA and Sun Belt Conference is seeking a Live Productions Assistant to serve as an integral member of the JMU Sports Network, the department's broadcast live streaming productions on ESPN+ as part of the Sun Belt's streaming agreement with ESPN. The position is a combination of behind-the-scenes production while also providing play-by-play commentary for select sports. JMU Sports Network operates from a broadcast control room located in the Atlantic Union Bank Center with fiber connectivity to all sports venues. This is a part-time position that does not provide benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with all aspects of the production process, including preproduction, live production and play-by-play.
• Learn the operation and roles within the full scope of operation of the JMU Sports Network and our broadcast control room setting.
• Provide play-by-play live commentary for various JMU athletics events, most likely to include: soccer, field hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, baseball and softball.
• Fill various roles on live productions, including: producer, director, technical director, replay, graphics, shading, audio tech, video playback, etc.
• Assist with broadcast preproduction such as storyline development, pregame interviews, prep calls with coaches, video editing, feature packaging, facility setup.
• Help supervise, train and schedule students to serve on production team.
• Work alongside professional broadcast freelance staff on production teams.
• Assist with broadcast engineering needs (learn setup workflow, signal flow, audio, cable types, etc.).

Qualifications:

Required qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to learn new processes, procedures, and technologies quickly and effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a professional and customer-focused work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and contribute to shared goals.
• Availability and willingness to work evening and weekend hours based on athletic event and sports schedules.

Additional Considerations:

• Experience both as play-by-play commentator for various sports as well as on broadcast productions in various roles listed above under duties.
• Knowledge of Ross Products (Xpression, Mira, Carbonite), Hitachi cameras, RTS/Clear-Com intercoms, digital audio mixing, CCU remote controls (shading) and experience handling ST/LC/SMPTE fiber.

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: [phone].

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at [phone] or [e-mail]. 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.