Admissions Counselor/ Senior Admissions Counselor

Central Washington University is recruiting an Admissions Counselor/ Senior Admissions Counselor to join our Admissions team serving our Benton County, Washington/Franklin County, Washington region. This role is an essential member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a regionally based position and will require travel within Benton County, WA, Franklin County, WA and surrounding areas and must reside in this region. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, $37,440 - $44,928.50 annually (Admissions Counselor) OR $45,303 - $54,363.50 annually (Senior Admissions Counselor) plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

cwu.edu/admissions-aid/index.php

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

The Admissions Counselor/Senior Admissions Counselor serves as part of a dynamic and high functioning recruitment team in the Office of Admission that is responsible for the planning and implementation of undergraduate (freshman and transfer), domestic new student recruitment and admission. The Admissions Counselor has an assigned geographic territory that could include both in-state and out-of-state areas and must reside in Franklin or Benton County. The Counselor will present Central Washington University's philosophy, programs, services, etc. to prospective students and the general public in individual and group settings. The Admissions Counselor/Senior Admissions Counselor must be able to successfully work independently and as part of a team, manage their assigned territory, and serve as a liaison between CWU Admissions and high school counselors, students, parents, campus partners and the community.

All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

Counseling:
- Presents Central Washington University philosophy, programs, services, etc. to prospective freshmen, transfer, non-traditional students and the general public in individual and group meetings.
- Represents CWU at high schools, community colleges, community functions, specific events, etc.
- Provides general pre-admissions advising to prospective first-year and transfer students concerning general admission procedures, early transfer admissions plus benefits/processes, academic programs, career opportunities, financial aid, and student services.
- Independently evaluate academic records and personal histories of prospective students, conduct interviews and make decisions regarding academic qualifications for admission to the university and preparation for intended major.
- Develops relationships with CWU departments and external communities/organizations that work with traditionally underserved populations.

Lead Duties (Senior Admission Counselor):
- Mentors and trains new admissions counselors
- Assigns and checks work and provides training. May provide feedback to supervisor to assist with work assignments and job performance.
- Creates and leads group and individual training for admissions counselors.
- Coordinates and facilitates Counselor Chats. Tailor meetings to accommodate team requirements by inviting relevant departments, organizes and conducts training sessions, manages updates, and other necessary tasks.
- Identifies inefficiencies and gaps in policies and processes and recommends changes/improvements.
- In the absence of a manager, triage and resolves complex student admissions cases, escalating to department management and/or campus partners as needed.

Special Projects and Initiatives (Senior Admission Counselor):
- Initiates, leads, and collaborates on special projects and initiatives assigned by supervisors aimed at improving the admissions process and enhancing the student experience.
- Special projects may include, but are not limited to; On the Spot Admissions, Next Steps Presentations, IVHS Presentations, Coffee Shop Talks, Tiering System, Maintaining OneNote, Recruitment Teams Resources, etc.
- Reviews data, trends, and best practices to provide recommendations to managers on new strategies and practices.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree.
• Must be able to travel and work irregular hours extensively, including late nights, early mornings, evenings and weekends.
• Must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds, drive and travel in all weather conditions.
• Candidate must be comfortable with technology and have basic familiarity with Microsoft Office, CRM's and presentation software.
• Demonstrable experience in creating and conducting presentations, and excellent verbal, oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrable experience in professional roles that involve extensive public speaking to diverse audiences and extensive public contact.
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences.

For consideration as a Senior Admissions Counselor:

• 2 to 5 years of professional and progressively responsible work experience related to admissions, student affairs in higher education, or student recruitment at a regionally accredited 2- or 4-year not-for-profit college or university.
• 2 to 5 years of professional and progressively responsible work experience related to multicultural and diversity outreach.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish: reading, writing, speaking).
• Previous remote office experience.
• Experience and familiarity with utilizing social media applications, databases, and other student recruitment tools.
• Ability to incorporate multicultural perspectives and issues into everyday conversations.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: The Admissions Counselor position has a minimum annual salary of $37,440 and maximum annual salary of $52,417. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $37,440 - $44,928.50. The Senior Admissions Counselor position has a minimum annual salary of $45,303 and maximum annual salary of $63,424. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $45,303 - $54,363.50. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch) ); May require additional hours depending on schedule requirements

Working Conditions: General office environment when on campus or visiting other schools. This position requires substantial travel throughout Washington state and the Pacific Northwest, with occasional travel to other regions of the United States. Position requires a flexible schedule to accommodate evening and weekend programs and other interactions with the public, including presentations. If working from home, this position requires dedicated office space within one's home free of distractions.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.