SMU-2105914-Admission Counselor (Sacramento Campus)

Job Summary:

Front line, essential “face” of Samuel Merritt University (SMU) with prospective students, Health Science Advisors, Community College Counselors, Community Partners, and health care professionals. Counsel prospective students regarding appropriateness of academic program, entry options and curriculum.  Respond to inquiries and represent Samuel Merritt University at local, regional and national recruitment events.  Activities will focus on, but not be limited to, the admission cycle related to the undergraduate & graduate programs.   Demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision and values of SMU, including a core commitment to recruitment and inclusion of diversity in all SMU academic programs.      
  
Job Duties and Accountabilities: 

An asterisk (*) denotes an "essential job function" for ADA purposes.

Application Processing (40%):

• Assure accurate and detailed evaluation of applications for admission, including checking thoroughly for completeness of file; completion of all prerequisite courses; and grade point average calculations.  
• Based upon prescribed admission eligibility criteria, consult with academic departments to make admission decisions.*
• Routinely exercise discretion and independent judgment in determining acceptability of academic prerequisites, but also must work collaboratively with the admission review team and lead faculty persons.*
• Review applications once faculty decisions are made for accuracy.  Update in NursingCAS and PowerCampus.*
• Ensure compliance of official transcripts and other required documents after each semester begins.*

Recruitment (50%):

• Establish contact with prospective students and counselors through continued presence at recruitment events.*  
• Communicate with prospective students relative to admission requirements, entry options, prerequisites, applicant pool statistics, denial of entry to program, curriculum, and general financial aid.  Develop and execute the manner in which this will happen.  Demonstrate and articulate the value of higher education.* 
• Represent Samuel Merritt University at transfer days, graduate and professional days, transfer centers, conferences, and other community events.*   
• Participate in regularly scheduled, on-campus Information Sessions.*
• Participate in diversity related recruitment events on and off campus.
• Independently maintain continued contact with prospective students throughout the application* process, notify applicants of status while encouraging continued interest in Samuel Merritt University.*
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners: community colleges, non- profit organizations, hospitals, medical systems, etc. to ensure an SMU presence in these organizations.*
• Provide effective and accurate counseling to prospective students on issues related to admission and financial aid.  This includes, but is not limited to, counseling related to prerequisite courses required for admission; the articulation of courses to Samuel Merritt University which were completed at other academic institutions; overall admission process; application deadlines and processes; timelines associated with admission; grade point average (cumulative and science) calculations; course repeat policy; competitiveness of application with reference to the overall applicant pool; statistics regarding quantity/quality of previous applicant pools; reclassification of existing applications; reasons for denial of admission; and ways in which an application can be strengthened for subsequent consideration.*  

Other (10%)

• Plan and coordinate travel.*
• Perform other duties as requested by the Dean of Admission.*
• Participate in the enrollment planning process.*
• Working knowledge of legal and ethical issues pertaining to the admission profession and processes related to the admission of students, specifically the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.*
• Support other Admission team members when needed (appointments, events, application processing).  Apply ‘team approach’ mentality.*

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent organizational skills with a strong ability to meet all deadlines related to work projects with attention to details.
• Moderate experience with spreadsheet software such as EXCEL.
• Excellent communication skills required, including the ability to communicate effectively with counselors, prospective students and family members, and other professional colleagues.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to organize and effectively communicate thoughts through the written word.
• Ability to read English and carry out written instructions.
• Ability to work and complete tasks in a busy, multi-tasked, multi-faceted environment.
• Courteous and professional manner required.  Diplomacy in dealing with conflict.
• Ability and willingness to serve as an ombudsperson for students in a crisis situation.  
• Excellent attention to details as they relate to the successful, daily operation of the Office of Admission.
• Demonstrated ability to make decisions and exercise professional judgment.
• Ability to analyze other statistical data pertaining to enrollment trends and projections.
• Ability to interact with University faculty and staff, medical center staff, prospective students and their families, and other University admission personnel.
• Ability and skill to work independently, and as part of a designated team.
• Working knowledge of student information system database and operational systems (i.e. Power Campus, Webadmit, SalesForce, SharePoint, Target X, Webex, Zoom, MS Teams, Outlook)  
• Ability and willingness to travel locally, regionally and nationally for recruitment purposes.  Ability to rent a car and a willingness to travel by airplane.

Education and skills:

• Baccalaureate required.
• Demonstrated experience in student recruitment and admission required, or substantially similar work experience.  

Physical Effort:

• Basically sedentary desk work; however, must be mobile.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to express and exchange ideas. 
• Ability to write, expressing and exchanging ideas by means of the written word.
• Ability to receive detailed information through communication.
• Ability to transfer recruitment materials such as brochures, materials, and SWAG.
• Ability to travel for recruitment events.

The University has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to build a welcoming and supportive campus environment, and acknowledge that diversity is an educational imperative to achieve excellence.