H-1B Visa Recreation Assistant Jobs
Recreation Assistant roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in recreation management, kinesiology, or a related field. Employers at universities, hospital systems, and large resort operators have active LCA filing histories for this SOC code.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
James Madison University is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position in Sport & Recreation Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, set to begin in Fall 2027.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking an innovative and collaborative faculty member for teaching undergraduate courses in Sport & Recreation Management and possibly graduate courses in Sport & Recreation Leadership (3/3 teaching load). Applicants should have the ability to teach the following courses: Foundations of Leadership in SRM, SRM Seminar, Introduction to SRM, Management in Sport & Recreation, Sport Marketing & Sales, and Facilities & Event Management. The applicant must be able to show evidence of a clear research agenda, the ability to work independently on research, and a willingness to engage in collaborative scholarship with faculty and students across disciplines. The applicant should also be prepared to engage in service to the university, community, department, and profession.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in sport management or a closely related field. The degree must be conferred (on transcript) by 8/10/2027 (contract start date). Strong ABD candidates will be considered only under the condition the Ph.D. can be conferred by 8/10/2027. The applicant must demonstrate strong commitment to teaching as well as evidence of successful publications or a 3-5-year plan for an active scholarship agenda. It is preferred that the applicant has previous experience working within professional sport and/or intercollegiate athletics.
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
All applicants must apply for this position using JMU’s online job application system. Applicants will complete the application and provide the following:
- Cover letter articulating interest and qualifications
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Scholarship Philosophy and Research Agenda (Other Document #1)
- Documentation related to teaching effectiveness (Course Evaluations)
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Contact information for three references
Questions about this position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Ben Carr at carrbh@jmu.edu. Please DO NOT send “paper” application packets or supplemental materials; all application materials must be submitted online.
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.
LOCATION
Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
POSITION TYPE
Full-Time
FLSA STATUS
Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
PAY RATE
Commensurate with Experience
BEGINNING REVIEW DATE
10/17/2026
INTRODUCTION
James Madison University is seeking applicants for a tenure-track position in Sport & Recreation Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, set to begin in Fall 2027.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking an innovative and collaborative faculty member for teaching undergraduate courses in Sport & Recreation Management and possibly graduate courses in Sport & Recreation Leadership (3/3 teaching load). Applicants should have the ability to teach the following courses: Foundations of Leadership in SRM, SRM Seminar, Introduction to SRM, Management in Sport & Recreation, Sport Marketing & Sales, and Facilities & Event Management. The applicant must be able to show evidence of a clear research agenda, the ability to work independently on research, and a willingness to engage in collaborative scholarship with faculty and students across disciplines. The applicant should also be prepared to engage in service to the university, community, department, and profession.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must have a Ph.D. or terminal degree in sport management or a closely related field. The degree must be conferred (on transcript) by 8/10/2027 (contract start date). Strong ABD candidates will be considered only under the condition the Ph.D. can be conferred by 8/10/2027. The applicant must demonstrate strong commitment to teaching as well as evidence of successful publications or a 3-5-year plan for an active scholarship agenda. It is preferred that the applicant has previous experience working within professional sport and/or intercollegiate athletics.
ADDITIONAL POSTING INFORMATION
All applicants must apply for this position using JMU’s online job application system. Applicants will complete the application and provide the following:
- Cover letter articulating interest and qualifications
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Scholarship Philosophy and Research Agenda (Other Document #1)
- Documentation related to teaching effectiveness (Course Evaluations)
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Contact information for three references
Questions about this position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Ben Carr at carrbh@jmu.edu. Please DO NOT send “paper” application packets or supplemental materials; all application materials must be submitted online.
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.
LOCATION
Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
POSITION TYPE
Full-Time
FLSA STATUS
Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
PAY RATE
Commensurate with Experience
BEGINNING REVIEW DATE
10/17/2026
See all 69+ H-1B Visa Recreation Assistant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Recreation Assistant
Verify your degree field matches the role
H-1B approval for Recreation Assistant hinges on demonstrating specialty occupation. A degree in recreation management, kinesiology, or therapeutic recreation directly supports that argument. A general business degree likely won't survive an RFE on this job title.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Recreation Assistant postings by employers who have certified LCAs for this SOC code. Employers with prior filings have already navigated the specialty occupation question, reducing your petition risk significantly.
Pull the prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Run your job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting any offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the prevailing rate, and knowing the Level I through Level IV range tells you where you stand.
Ask about E-Verify enrollment during screening
USCIS requires your petitioning employer to be enrolled in E-Verify or to verify your work authorization through the I-9 process. Confirm enrollment status before investing time in interviews, since unenrolled employers can't file on your behalf.
Document your practical training hours carefully
If you're transitioning from OPT, compile records of your supervised recreation programming experience. USCIS adjudicators scrutinize whether Recreation Assistant roles genuinely require a specialized degree, and documented clinical or program supervision hours strengthen that argument considerably.
Understand the cap-gap risk for late-cycle offers
If you receive an offer after October 1 of the current fiscal year, your employer can't file until April 1 of the next cycle. Factor the eight-to-ten month gap into your timeline so your OPT EAD doesn't expire before the petition can be submitted.
H-1B Visa Recreation Assistant: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Recreation Assistant role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it's not automatic. USCIS evaluates whether the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Recreation Assistant roles at hospital systems, university recreational services, or therapeutic recreation departments tend to qualify when the job description explicitly requires a degree in recreation management, kinesiology, or therapeutic recreation, not just a preference for one.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Recreation Assistant positions?
University recreational sports departments, hospital-based rehabilitation and wellness centers, and large resort or hospitality operators with structured recreation programs have the strongest LCA filing histories for this job title. Government agencies and nonprofit community centers occasionally sponsor as well, though their cap-exempt or cap-subject status varies. You can browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, filtered specifically for this role.
What SOC code applies to Recreation Assistant roles, and why does it matter?
Most Recreation Assistant positions fall under SOC code 25-9099 or 39-9032, depending on whether the role is instructional or purely facilitative. The SOC code determines the prevailing wage your employer must certify on the LCA. Using the wrong SOC code can trigger a DOL audit or underpay the certified wage, so confirm the classification with your employer before the LCA is submitted.
Can a part-time Recreation Assistant position support an H-1B petition?
Yes, part-time H-1B positions are permitted, but the petition must reflect the actual hours and a prevailing wage prorated accordingly. USCIS scrutinizes part-time specialty occupation claims more closely because reduced hours can suggest the role doesn't genuinely require a specialized degree. Your employer should document why the position requires degreed expertise even at reduced hours, typically through the job description and organizational need.
What happens to my H-1B status if my Recreation Assistant employer loses funding or restructures?
You have a 60-day grace period after involuntary termination to find a new H-1B-sponsoring employer, change status, or depart the country. If a new employer files a transfer petition before your grace period ends, you can begin working for them immediately upon filing under portability rules. O*NET lists the occupational skills transferable to similar roles, which can help you target employers quickly in that window.