First-Year Admissions Counselor

Shenandoah University•Winchester, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Shenandoah University’s Office of Admissions is hiring a full-time, benefited First-Year Admissions Counselor for its main campus in Winchester, Virginia. The counselor manages recruitment activities within a designated territory to support individual and team enrollment goals. The role requires substantial knowledge of the territory and discretion and independent judgment in developing recruitment strategies. The counselor provides prospective students and families with accurate, timely, professional service throughout recruitment, application, and enrollment; serves as an initial university contact and liaison to faculty and staff; and recruits for all academic programs. Working as part of the First-Year Recruitment team, the counselor uses past and current data to assess recruitment strategies and events, then develops, implements, and adjusts plans for the upcoming season. The counselor develops outreach campaigns and events, selects schools and college fairs to visit, reviews applications and makes admission decisions for candidates in the territory, and notifies applicants of those decisions. The role also involves representing the university at recruitment events, supporting campus visits and tours, participating in on-campus events, managing Saturday Visits, maintaining student records and communicating with prospective families, and monitoring recruiting programs for special populations. The position requires the ability and willingness to work collaboratively and independently, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel averaging 12–18 weeks per year. The counselor must be able to lift 50 pounds into and out of a vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license with a good driving record. A pre-employment background check is required; a satisfactory driving record may be required as a condition of hire. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; the university is not currently able to sponsor international visas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Outstanding interpersonal skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Familiarity with Apple computers and software, as well as Microsoft Word and Excel.
Attention to detail; ability to prioritize and complete tasks and meet deadlines.
Ability to adapt to and appropriately use multiple technology applications.
Basic understanding of how to use data to accomplish a goal.
Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends, and overnight travel averaging 12–18 weeks per year.
Ability to lift 50 pounds into and out of a vehicle.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record; ability to pass a driving background check.
Authorization to work in the United States.
Completion of a pre-employment background check; a satisfactory driving record may be required as a condition of hire.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual Spanish/English ability.
Experience with admissions technologies, including Slate by Technolutions.

Responsibilities

Manage recruitment activities within an assigned territory to meet individual and team enrollment goals.
Analyze historical and current data to assess recruitment strategies and events, and develop, implement, and adjust strategies for upcoming recruitment seasons.
Plan and execute outreach campaigns and events, and select high schools to visit and college fairs to attend.
Develop innovative approaches to increase awareness and interest among prospective students, families, counselors, administrators, and community and educational organizations.
Review applications, use discretion and independent judgment to determine appropriate admission candidates within the territory, and notify applicants of decisions.
Represent the university professionally at off-campus recruitment events.
Coordinate with the Admissions Welcome Center Coordinator and other university departments to plan and execute campus visits for prospective students, families, and groups.
Give admissions presentations and lead main-campus and other building tours as needed.
Participate in on-campus recruitment events, including Open Houses, Student Shadow Days, Interviews, and Auditions.
Independently manage an equitable share of Saturday Visits during the fall and spring.
Maintain student records and communicate with prospective families.
Coordinate, monitor, and report on recruitment programs for special populations, including the Presidential Scholars program and Shenandoah Conservatory performing arts auditions.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor(s).