Senior Admission Counselor for Transfer and Returning Students

Position Summary 

The Senior Admission Counselor is an energetic professional who identifies, inspires, and enrolls promising scholars and future leaders. The Senior Admission Counselor for Transfer and Returning Students participates in all aspects of outreach and recruitment in a fast-paced work environment and travels extensively. This includes applying a proactive approach to learning about Fort Lewis College, building relationships with students, families, and community college partners, and engaging in relevant and timely follow-up, program-planning, analysis and related duties as assigned to identify, attract and enroll future Fort Lewis College students. Senior Admission Counselors recruit within the general student population as well as students, families, and community college partners from underrepresented, underserved, and rural populations. The Senior Admission Counselor for Transfer and Returning Students primary responsibility is to manage outreach and recruitment efforts for transfer and returning students while contributing to the development and implementation of a comprehensive and data-driven undergraduate recruitment plan.   

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree   
• Two or more years’ of professional experience in an undergraduate admission or advising office or related education field  

• Excellent interpersonal skills that include professional communication, relationship building, and the ability to clearly and concisely present complex information   
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including excellent presentation abilities  
• Experience working with diverse groups of people in a variety of settings   
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple priorities  
• Experience identifying and defining problems/alternatives and developing recommendations   

• Display strong planning and organizing skills, attention to detail, and ability to produce desired results  
• Ability to initiate and implement projects independently and as part of a team  
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities  
• Ability to work remotely if necessary  

Preferred Qualifications 

• One or more years' experience supervising professional and college student staff  
• Bilingual ability (e.g. Navajo, Spanish, etc.)   
• Experience navigating available resources or participating in activities related to higher education and/or the 16-22-year-old prospective student market  

Major Responsibilities 

Recruitment and Outreach  

• Travel extensively, including weeknights and weekends, (approx. 8 weeks in the fall and 4-6 weeks in the spring) to promote Fort Lewis College to prospective transfer, returning, and first-year students to meet college enrollment goals  
• Counsel, advise, and maintain positive contact with prospective students and their families, regarding admission requirements, transfer policies, financial aid and scholarships, and campus life.  
• Qualify student interest in FLC through personalized outreach efforts to include phoning and texting campaigns as well as in-person interactions  
• Present to large and small groups of students and guests at on- and off-campus events including community college and high school visits, individualized student meetings, college fairs, campus visit programs, application workshops, community events and family nights.    

• Manage and develop recruitment strategies in conjunction with overall recruitment goals. Review and analyze data to determine schools, fairs, and events to attend/visit from multiple databases, queries and reporting tools  
• Develop expertise on assigned student populations and according geographic and demographic market trends and competitor analysis   
• Develop and manage relationships with key constituents in territories to include community college counselors, high school counselors, community-based organizations and alumni, families and students  
• Appropriately and efficiently manage time and allotted financial resources to meet recruiting objectives.   
• Prepare written reports, make strategic recommendations and contribute to the overall development of recruitment plan  

• Schedule community college visits and college fairs and coordinate other outreach activities to prospective transfer, returning, and first-year students, maintain calendar of events and provide activity reports  
• Serve in an on-call advising capacity on a regular rotation in the Office of Admission providing excellent customer service to visiting students, families and community members as well as responding to phone and email inquiries and facilitating information sessions.   

Leadership and Pre-Enrollment Counseling  

• Assist in developing, evaluating, interpreting and enforcing recruitment policies and procedures and strategies and serves as an authoritative source of such information.    

• May provide supervision of one to four professional, temporary and/or student employees.   

• With substantial support from the Associate Director of Admission, the Senior Admission Counselor will provide leadership in building a collaborative, outcome-focused team by:  

• Hiring, training, and providing ongoing supervision and coaching to direct-reports and determining work assignments and schedules.   
• Communicating goals, developing and implementing initiatives and providing training and professional development for Admission staff.   

• Conduct Pre-Enrollment counseling appointments with prospective transfer and returning students and conduct advising and registration appointments as needed as part of a larger campus-wide advising model  

• In-person, virtual (Zoom or similar technology), and phone  
• Must understand and clearly communicate college policies with regards to degree completion, transfer of credit and course registration.   
• Ability to provide initial degree-planning support, helping students understand commitments necessary for degree planning. Coordination with campus partners such as the Registrar’s Office and Financial Aid.   
• Requires ability to understand complex and individualized situations in order to provide accurate counseling and apply correct policies  
• Requires knowledge of current and past curricula and academic policies and procedures. Requires knowledge of academic standards and financial aid standing, including appeals options and processes.   

Campus Visit Programs   

• Collaborate and take direction from the Assistant Director of Campus Visit Programs regarding responsibilities that contribute to the success of all campus visit programs.  This may include planning and implementing components of larger programs or coordinating specific visit programs.    
• Collaborate and provide direction to Admission staff regarding responsibilities that contribute to the success of campus and virtual visit programs for transfer and returning students  

Other Duties  

• Responsible for timely follow up with internal and external customers  
• Complete reports related to recruitment, schedule, travel, and special programs  
• Participate as an engaged and supportive member of the Admissions team by:   
• Participating in meetings, committees and special projects   
• Assisting colleagues with team projects   

• Proactively engaging in identifying areas for improvement and innovation  
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities  
• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.  
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.  
• Perform other duties as assigned  

Work Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).  
• Ability to work in a confined area.  

• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.  
• Must be flexible, capable of handling a demanding work schedule and be able to work independently and within a team management structure   
• Ability to work productively with moderate noise & distraction (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).  
• Must be adaptable to changing policies, procedures and practices   
• This is an on-campus front-line position working directly with prospective students  

Compensation  

Salary is $43,000,  plus a comprehensive benefits package.  

 
Application Process 
A complete application packet includes: 

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position 

• Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.  “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?” 

• Resume 
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references 

Submit materials as one PDF file via email to: 

AdmissionCounselor-Search@fortlewis.edu 

In the subject line please state: 

 “Application for SENIOR Admission Counselor for  

Transfer and Returning Students”  

Application materials received by June 6, 2021, will receive full consideration. 

Position will remain open until filled. 

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts,  

and pass a background check. 

The College and the Community  

Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business, education, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher education. Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest. We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate education, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning. Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds. Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere. Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas. 

Equal Opportunity   

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.  

To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.  

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?  

Office of the Title 9 Coordinator  

Molly Wieser  

230 Skyhawk Station  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7241 wieser_m@fortlewis.edu  

Other discrimination questions?   

Office of the Equal Opportunity Coordinator  

David Pirrone  

192 Education Business Hall  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu  

Information about Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and drug policy, sexual assault policy, campus security policies, campus crime statistics, fire safety procedures and fire statistics, and campus/community resources can be found in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Hard copies are available upon request. 

  * Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.  

ADAA Accommodations  

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.