Specialist, Admissions

Yavapai-College; Prescott (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ is seeking an Admissions Specialist who serves as the first point of contact for prospective students. The role guides applicants through the new student checklist, explains admissions steps, and supports transitions from applicant to enrolled status.

You will answer inquiries via walk-ins, phone, email, and chat, review applications and transcripts, coordinate placement testing, advise on financial options, and connect students with academic advisors.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and customer service experience.
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Experience with student information systems, preferably Banner.

Responsibilities

• Assist students through walk-ins, phone calls, email, chatbot services, and other communication platforms.
• Guide prospective students through the admissions process from inquiry to enrollment.
• Independently assess, prioritize, and respond to student needs during admissions and enrollment.
• Review admission applications, supporting documentation, and student records for accuracy.
• Maintain current demographic and academic data in student information systems.
• Document student interactions and progress to ensure continuity of service.
• Collaborate with staff across the College to resolve complex student issues.
• Participate in recruitment, orientation, enrollment, and student development events.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Microsoft Office

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and customer service experience

Tools

Banner

Job description

The Admission Specialist is the first point of contact in YC’s holistic approach to student success. The specialist plays a critical role in guiding prospective students through the new student checklist and supporting students as they transition from applicant to enrolled status. This includes assisting with the application process, coordinating placement testing, managing transcript requests, advising on financial options, explaining residency requirements, guiding students through the identity verification process, and connecting students with the appropriate academic advisor.

The Admission Specialist ensures that each student receives personalized support and accurate information to make informed decisions about their educational journey. The Admission Advisor is also responsible for assisting personal interest and continuing students as they navigate registration and program progression.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist students through walk-ins, phone calls, email, chatbot services, and other communication platforms, adapting service delivery to meet individual student needs.
• Guide prospective students through the admissions process from inquiry to enrollment by evaluating individual circumstances and recommending appropriate pathways.
• Independently assess, prioritize, and respond to student needs by exercising sound judgment to determine appropriate next steps throughout the admissions and enrollment process.
• Manage prospective, new, transfer, continuing, returning, and personal interest students, independently balancing competing priorities while ensuring timely follow-up and completion of milestones.
• Analyze and troubleshoot complex admission application issues, identifying barriers to enrollment and determining appropriate resolutions in accordance with college policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Exercise independent decision-making when resolving student concerns, escalating issues only when circumstances fall outside established guidelines or require policy interpretation.
• Review admission applications, supporting documentation, and student records for accuracy and completeness while identifying discrepancies and determining appropriate corrective actions.
• Maintain current and accurate demographic and academic information in student information systems, ensuring data integrity and compliance with institutional standards.
• Document student interactions, progress, decisions, and follow-up actions to ensure continuity of service and accurate institutional records.
• Schedule, monitor, and evaluate student progress through the New Student Checklist, proactively identifying students at risk of stopping out and implementing appropriate outreach strategies.
• Determine the appropriate academic advising referral based on a student's educational goals, academic interests, and program requirements.
• Provide comprehensive information regarding Yavapai College programs, admissions requirements, enrollment procedures, academic policies, and available student resources.
• Assist personal interest students in navigating registration processes while independently resolving registration-related questions and identifying available resources.
• Coach students in developing self-sufficiency by teaching them to effectively navigate college systems, including DegreeWorks, the YC Portal, Canvas, and other student success technologies.
• Guide students through identity verification requirements and determine appropriate documentation needed to satisfy institutional and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with staff, and departments across the College to resolve complex student issues, improve processes, and promote student success, retention, and completion.
• Participate in recruitment, outreach, orientation, enrollment, and student development events, representing the College in a professional manner.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, recommend solutions, and contribute to the continuous enhancement of admissions and enrollment services.
• Perform other duties as assigned that are consistent with the scope and responsibilities of the position.

• Associate degree or an equivalent combination of education and customer service experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position

Skills

• Ability to interact and effectively communicate with diverse employee and student populations
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time
• Ability to travel monthly to other campuses during the year, with more frequent travel during registration periods
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to prioritize tasks, adhere to guidelines provided by leadership, and utilize critical thinking skills to promote the best possible customer experience
• Regular attendance is an essential job function, demonstrating dependability in performing job duties

• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Experience working with students in a higher education environment
• Experience with student information systems, preferably Banner

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and competencies listed represent the required knowledge, skill, and ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. In addition, the employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.