Admissions Counselor (Temporary)

Wacac; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 49,523 - 56,951; Full time

Job summary

Western Washington University in Bellingham is seeking Admissions Counselors to manage outreach and recruitment in a defined territory. The role supports a data-driven undergraduate recruitment plan and engages students, families, and school counselors in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include public speaking at events, analyzing enrollment trends, evaluating applicant qualifications, and promoting accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required by position start date.
• Excellent interpersonal and professional communication, relationship-building, and presentation abilities.
• Commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong planning, organizing, and attention to detail with independent results.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities as part of a team.
• Experience with public speaking and recruitment activities is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Communicate the values of Western Washington University and the benefits of higher education to prospective students, families, counselors, and partners.
• Conduct extensive public speaking engagements at recruitment events and on-campus programs.
• Analyze application and enrollment data to develop territory recruitment strategies.
• Evaluate prospective students’ qualifications to support admissions decisions.
• Support diverse and inclusive recruitment efforts and outreach.
• Travel extensively by car, plane, and ferry for 14–16 weeks per year and work irregular hours.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Communication

Relationship building

Presentation skills

Planning and organizing

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Admissions Counselors manage outreach and recruitment efforts for a specified geographic territory while contributing to the development and implementation of a comprehensive and data-driven undergraduate recruitment plan. Counselors participate in all aspects of outreach and recruitment, in a fast-paced work environment. This includes applying a proactive and detailed approach to learning about Western, building relationships with students, families and counselors, and engaging in relevant follow‑up, program planning, application and scholarship decision‑making and related duties as assigned to identify, attract, and enroll future Western students.

This position is stationed at the Bellingham campus.

In all aspects of the position, the admissions counselor is responsible for ensuring incorporation of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness perspectives throughout functional responsibility areas, in alignment with the University’s broader efforts to make Western a place where all community members feel truly safe, supported and included. Overall responsibilities include:

• Communicating the values of Western Washington University and the benefits of higher education to a wide and diverse range of prospective students, parents, high school counselors, and community groups with tact, diplomacy, and discretion
• Extensive public speaking engagements at recruitment events such as high school and community college visits, college fairs, and on‑campus programs
• Analyzing application and enrollment trends and developing appropriate territory recruitment strategies; assessing effectiveness and adjusting strategies as necessary in collaboration with the Recruitment and Outreach team
• Evaluating the qualifications of prospective students making admissions decisions which are in the best interest of the student and the University
• Maintaining a positive attitude that will promote a healthy and respectful culture as a member of the Admissions team
• Providing support for talented, nonresident, and transfer student recruitment; multicultural outreach; early outreach; and/or selected recruitment by academic interest
• Traveling by car, plane, and ferry for extended periods and working during irregular hours extensively, including late nights, early mornings, evenings and weekends for fourteen to sixteen (14‑16) weeks per year on a continuous and ongoing basis

This position requires routinely lifting 50 pounds.

This is a project‑employment position ending no later than August 2027 (1 year position).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (earned by position’s start date)
• Excellent interpersonal skills that include professional communication, relationship building, and the ability to clearly and concisely present information
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including excellent presentation abilities
• Demonstrated record of or commitment to supporting an organizational culture that emphasizes accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Display strong planning and organizing skills, attention to detail, and ability to produce desired results independently
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities as part of a team

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual ability (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin, Tagalog, etc.)
• Experience navigating available resources or participating activities related to higher education and/or the prospective undergraduate student market
• Experience as a student leader, Student Admission Representative, Tour Guide, Resident Advisor, Peer Advisor, Orientation Leader, or similar student service roles.

Salary Range

Hiring range is $49,523 – $56,951 per year depending on qualifications and experience. Through longevity position tops out at $64,380 per year.