First-Year Admissions Counselor Jobs

Shenandoah University’s Office of Admissions is accepting applications for a First-Year Admissions Counselor. This is a full-time benefited position located on our main campus in Winchester, Virginia.

General Description And Responsibilities

The first-year admissions counselor manages all activities necessary to recruit students, within a designated territory, to Shenandoah University in order to meet individual and team enrollment goals. Counselors must have or acquire substantial knowledge about their territory, exercise discretion and independent judgment in developing recruitment strategies for their designated territories, and provide a high quality of service to prospective students and families throughout the recruitment, application, and acceptance/enrollment processes.

The admissions counselor will often be the prospective student’s first contact with the university and must recognize the importance of building a relationship based on the professional, correct, and timely exchange of information. The admissions counselor is also a liaison between prospective families and the faculty and staff of other university departments. In this role, the admissions counselor will be responsible for general recruitment of all academic programs, but the counselor will primarily work with First-Year and Transfer students applying to Shenandoah Conservatory’s Music, Theatre, and Dance performing arts programs.

The ability and willingness to work among a team, independently, and until the task is completed successfully, is essential.

Primary Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing innovative approaches to increase awareness and develop interest among groups within the designated territory. These groups include, but are not limited to, prospective students and families, school counselors and administrators, school and community organizations, private instructors, and independent education counselors.
• Reviewing applications, and then exercising discretion and independent judgment, including their knowledge of factors contributing to student success, to determine best-fit candidates for admission within their designated territory. Counselors are also responsible for notifying applicants of their admission decisions.
• Working collaboratively as a member of the First-Year Recruitment team, admissions counselors will be expected to utilize past and current data to analyze the impact, progress, and effectiveness of prior recruitment strategies and events within their designated territories, and then exercise their discretion and independent judgment to create, implement and execute individual recruitment strategies for the upcoming season within their designated territories.
• Counselors will propose and make adjustments to prior years’ recruitment strategies and events schedules, including discontinuing, modifying or relocating previously held events. Counselors also will be expected to develop special outreach campaigns and new events, that will pique the interest of prospective students in the territory (and/or their parents). Counselors will be responsible for planning, implementing, and executing their campaigns and events, and selecting which high schools to visit and which college fairs to attend.

Additional Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Other responsibilities and duties as assigned by supervisor(s).
• Enthusiastically and professionally representing the university at off-campus recruitment events.
• Giving admissions presentations to large and small groups during daily campus visits and coordinated group visits, as well as providing main campus tours and special tours of other buildings, as needed. Fully participating in on-campus recruitment events that occur throughout the year, including, but not limited to, Open Houses, Student Shadow Days, Interviews, and Auditions.
• Working in coordination with the Admissions Welcome Center Coordinator, assisting in the planning and executing of campus visits for prospective students, families, and school/community groups. This requires collaboration with other university departments, most commonly academic faculty, student life organizations, and athletics.
• Maintaining student records and communicating with prospective families.
• Independently managing a series of Saturday Visits throughout the fall and spring, which will be distributed equitably among the members of the Freshmen Recruitment team.
• Coordinating, monitoring, and reporting on the progress of, recruiting programs to special populations, such as the Presidential Scholars program and Shenandoah Conservatory’s performing arts auditions.

Required Skills

Required Experience

Qualifications

• Familiarity with Apple computers and software, as well as Microsoft software, including Word and Excel
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. into and out of a vehicle.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings, weekends and to travel overnight with a schedule averaging 12-18 weeks per year. Adhering to university policies and procedures regarding travel is required.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills are essential
• Excellent communication skills; both oral and written
• A basic understanding of how to use data to accomplish a goal
• Experience with various admissions technologies, including Slate, preferred
• Bachelor’s degree is required
• An understanding of Performing Arts (Music, Theatre, or Dance) and the students who have an interest in them
• Valid driver’s license with a good driving record and ability to pass a driving background check.
• Attention to detail, ability to prioritize and complete tasks, and meet deadlines
• Ability to adapt to, and utilize, numerous technology applications appropriately

How To Apply

The complete application will include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a qualified candidate is selected.

Shenandoah University is committed to enriching its educational experience and culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration, and staff. All candidates are strongly encouraged to include a statement in their cover letters addressing ways in which they may be able to contribute to that commitment.

• Note: A pre-employment background check will be required and a satisfactory driving record may be required as a condition of hire.

Shenandoah University values the unique and diverse perspectives of individuals and communities locally and globally and seeks to foster mutual understanding in an inviting community where individuals are welcome and respected. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical, or mental disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or on any other basis protected under applicable law.