Admissions Counselor – Graduate Admissions- 995238

Nova Southeastern University; Clearwater (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova Southwestern University in Clearwater, FL seeks an Admissions Support Specialist to guide prospective applicants from inquiry to decision. The role requires coordinating communications, reviewing eligibility, and maintaining accurate CRM records to ensure timely processing through all admissions stages.

The position emphasizes strong customer service, data integrity, and collaboration with the Admissions team to provide accurate advisement and seamless applicant experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to communicate accurately and professionally with prospective applicants.
• Knowledge of admissions processes, policies, and program requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with CRM and data integrity in student services.
• Ability to work independently and with a team to meet deadlines.
• Willingness to travel for events and recruitment activities.

Responsibilities

• Manages a defined portfolio of inquiries and applicants from inquiry through admissions decision.
• Monitors application status and supports applicant progress through admissions stages.
• Conducts inbound and outbound communication across channels (phone, email, text, virtual).
• Maintains consistent communication cadence and documents activity in CRM.
• Identifies stalled applicants and follows admissions policies for follow-up.
• Ensures inquiries are assigned a final disposition with reasoning by term end.
• Ensures applicants receive a final decision prior to term start.
• Reviews eligibility including GPA, prerequisites, and program fit.
• Reviews ready-for-review applicants within set timeframes.
• Provides advisement on admissions requirements and program fit.
• Collaborates with Admissions Services for file readiness.
• Supports follow-up activities and admitted applicant communications.
• Participates in events and cross-functional recruitment activities.
• Provides feedback on process bottlenecks and applicant trends.
• Maintains data confidentiality across systems.
• Completes special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Service Orientation

Active Listening

Critical Thinking

Speaking

Reading Comprehension

Social Perceptiveness

Decision Making

Self-Direction

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

We are excited that you are considering joining Nova Southwestern University!

Nova Southwestern University (NSU) was founded in 1964, and is a not-for-profit, independent university with a reputation for academic excellence and innovation. Nova Southwestern University offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package including tuition waiver, retirement plan, excellent medical and dental plans and much more. NSU cares about the health and welfare of its students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors and is a tobacco-free university.

We appreciate your support in making NSU the preeminent place to live, work, study and grow. Thank you for your interest in a career with Nova Southwestern University.

Primary Purpose

Supports the graduate admissions process by providing accurate information and guidance to prospective applicants from inquiry through admissions decision, ensuring timely application review and consistent communication in accordance with institutional policies.

Job Category

Exempt

Hiring Range

$47,000.00

Pay Basis

Annually

Subject to Grant Funding?

No

Essential Job Functions

• 1. Manages a defined portfolio of inquiries and applicants from inquiry through admissions decision
• 2. Monitors application status and supports applicant progress through established admissions stages based on readiness and application status
• 3. Conducts inbound and outbound communication across all channels (phone, email, text, virtual)
• 4. Maintains consistent communication cadence and documents all activity in CRM
• 5. Identifies stalled applicants and conducts appropriate follow-up in accordance with admissions policies
• 6. Ensures all inquiries are assigned a final disposition by the end of each term with accurate reasoning
• 7. Ensures all applicants receive a final decision prior to the start of term
• 8. Conducts applicant review for eligibility, including GPA, prerequisites, and program fit
• 9. Reviews "ready-for-review" applicants within established timeframes
• 10. Provides accurate advisement on admissions requirements, program fit, and next steps
• 11. Collaborates with Admissions Services Representatives to support file readiness
• 12. Supports follow-up activities and admitted applicant communications
• 13. Participates in events, presentations, and cross-functional outreach and recruitment activities to provide program information
• 14. Provides feedback on process bottlenecks and applicant trends
• 15. Maintains data integrity and confidentiality across all systems
• 16. Completes special projects as assigned
• 17. Performs other duties as assigned or required

Job Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• 1. Digital Media - Working knowledge of digital and web-based communication tools and platforms used to share accurate, consistent, and accessible information with prospective and current applicants through approved digital channels.
• 2. Customer and Personal Service - Working knowledge of principles and processes for providing responsive, respectful, and student-centered service, including needs assessment, adherence to service quality standards, and evaluation of user experience for continuous improvement.
• 3. English Language - General knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar, sufficient to communicate clearly and professionally in written and verbal formats.
• 4. Communications and Outreach - Working knowledge of methods for clearly describing academic programs, admissions requirements, and institutional services in a factual, accurate, and compliant manner to support informed decision-making.
• 5. Office Technology - General knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, and Excel) for routine communication, documentation, and data entry.

Skills

• 1. Service Orientation - Basic skill in proactively identifying ways to assist applicants and colleagues in navigating processes and resolving routine questions.
• 2. Active Listening - Basic skill in giving full attention to others, understanding communicated information, asking clarifying questions when appropriate, and responding thoughtfully and respectfully.
• 3. Critical Thinking - Basic skill in using logic and reasoning to evaluate information, identify issues, and assess appropriate next steps within established policies and procedures.
• 4. Speaking - Conveying information clearly and professionally to individuals or groups through verbal communication.
• 5. Reading Comprehension - Proficient ability to understand written sentences, paragraphs, and work-related documents, including policies, procedures, and program materials.
• 6. Social Perceptiveness - Basic skill in recognizing others’ reactions and adjusting communication approaches appropriately while maintaining professionalism and consistency.
• 7. Judgment and Decision Making - Basic skill in considering relevant information, institutional guidelines, and potential impacts when selecting appropriate actions or escalating issues as needed.
• 8. Self-Direction - Basic skills in managing assigned responsibilities independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment.

Abilities

• 1. Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply established rules, guidelines, and criteria to specific situations to reach appropriate and consistent conclusions.
• 2. Problem Sensitivity - The ability to recognize when an issue exists or may arise and determine when follow-up or escalation is required.
• 3. Inductive Reasoning - The ability to synthesize information from multiple sources to identify patterns, trends, or common issues that may inform process improvements.

Physical Requirements

• 1. Speech Recognition – Must be able to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• 2. Speech Clarity – Must be able to communicate verbally in a clear manner so others can understand instructions and information.
• 3. Near Vision – Must be able to see details at close range for reading documents and using computer screens.
• 4. Work Schedule – May be required to work nights or weekends as operational needs require.
• 5. Travel – Must be able to travel locally and/or overnight as required for job duties.
• 6. Physical Activity – May experience short, intermittent, or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing while performing job responsibilities.
• 7. Equipment Use – May be required to perform job duties using standard office equipment and supplies, including computers, mobile devices, keyboards, and writing instruments.
• 8. Lifting – Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• 9. Transportation – Must possess a valid driver’s license and have reliable local transportation.

Required Certifications/Licensures

Valid Driver's license.

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Major (if required:

Required Experience

One (1) year of student services-related experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Is this a safety sensitive position?

No

Background Screening Required?

No

Pre-Employment Conditions

Sensitivity Disclaimer

Nova Southwestern University is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodation when necessary.

NSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status.