Admissions Counselor

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Chantilly (VA); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inc. is seeking an Admissions Counselor to actively recruit freshmen and transfer students, conduct information sessions, and support enrollment marketing efforts.

The role requires extensive travel within the United States and frequent evening/weekend work. You will review applicant files, participate on the admissions committee, and coordinate campus visits, college fairs, and outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated customer service experience.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to speak effectively in front of groups.
• Demonstrated analytical skills.
• Proficient with technology and able to learn new systems.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to handle confidential information and meet deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Actively recruit freshmen and transfers by conducting recruitment activities in assigned territories.
• Review applicant files and make admissions decisions following policies.
• Serve as the on-call contact for prospective students and front-line escalations.
• Conduct information sessions on academics, campus life, and the application process.
• Assist in coordinating college fairs, campus visit experiences, and events.
• Plan and coordinate print, email, web, and social media communications.
• Attend to and complete tasks in a timely and professional manner.
• Collaborate with the admissions team and participate in the admissions committee.

Skills

Customer service

Verbal communication

Public speaking

Analytical skills

Technology proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Ellucian Banner

Salesforce CRM

Job description

Location: Fairfax, VA.

Work schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk). Hybrid Eligible. Sponsorship: Not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Salary: Starting at $42,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Department: Division of Enrollment Management.

About the Position

The Admissions Counselor actively recruits new freshmen and transfer students by planning and executing recruitment activities in assigned locations. Extensive travel within the United States is required. This position reviews applicant files and makes admissions decisions. Serves as the on‑call person to meet with prospective students and families that walk into the office, and is the contact person for any escalations from the front‑line service team as scheduled. Conducts information sessions presented to prospective students and their families on academics, campus life, and how to apply to George Mason University. Assists in various recruitment and marketing functions, including coordinating college fairs, developing campus visit experiences, staffing events, and assisting in the writing and coordination of print, email, web‑based, and social media communications for prospective students and other primary audiences.

This position requires frequent evening and weekend work.

Responsibilities

• Actively recruit new freshman and transfer students by conducting recruitment activities in assigned territories:
  • Contact and travel to schools or community colleges;
  • Meet with prospective students and their families;
  • Conduct presentations that highlight George Mason University;
  • Schedule and conduct high school visits and college fairs;
  • Manage university funds responsibly;
  • Engage in appropriate follow‑up activities with prospective students and applicants encountered during the recruitment cycle (both freshmen and transfers); and
  • Remain up to date on all relevant information/policies about the institution.
• Review freshman undergraduate applicant files and make admissions decisions in the student database following established policies and procedures:
  • Handle a caseload of approximately 3,000 freshman applicant files;
  • Periodically support review of transfer, non‑degree, and/or graduate applicants, as needed; and
  • Serve as an active and committed member of the admissions committee.
• Participate in day‑to‑day operational activities and processes of the admissions office including “Counselor of the Day (COD)”, “Office of Transfer Services (OTS)”, and “Informational Officer of the Day (IOD)”;
• Conduct prospective student information sessions several times per month, or as assigned;
• Staff and attend all admissions‑sponsored events and assist with planning and logistics as assigned;
• Brainstorm and assist in coordination of all plans related to specific individual responsibilities detailed in the primary purpose of the position;
• Attend to and complete all tasks assigned in a timely and reasonable fashion;
• Build and improve upon existing resources and processes related to assigned projects;
• Participate in marketing related activities in conjunction with the Office of Integrated Enrollment Marketing and the Office of Admissions, on an as‑needed basis, or as assigned;
• Review, edit, and contribute content related to prospective and admitted undergraduate students;
• Provide admissions‑specific information and customer service;
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned; and
• Efficiently and conscientiously perform specific tasks as directed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field;
• Demonstrated customer service experience;
• Effective written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to speak effectively in front of large and small groups;
• Demonstrated analytical skills;
• Proficient with technology and able to learn new systems;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse populations;
• Ability to handle sensitive and/or confidential information and situations;
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize projects often working on multiple projects concurrently and adhering to tight deadlines;
• Ability to perform work with substantial attention to detail;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a fast‑paced, collaborative team environment;
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 (https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/). The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in an office setting;
• Experience in higher education with knowledge of the admissions process;
• Previous experience with Ellucian Banner software;
• Experience with Salesforce customer relationship management (CRM) software;
• Familiarity with Mason’s physical campus and surrounding area;
• Familiarity with Mason’s diverse population, admissions processes, campus offerings for students, campus events;
• Bilingual.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

Campus Safety Information

Mason’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available at http://police.gmu.edu/annual-security-report/.