Current jobs related to Admissions/Advising Specialist - Fairmont - Pierpont Community & Technical College

Posted 5/28/2024   Deadline 06/11/2024

Admissions/Advising Specialist

Pierpont Community and Technical College is West Virginia’s newest stand-alone community college. Reporting to the Chief Student Services Officer and actively collaborating with other student and academic services personnel, the purpose of the Admissions/Advising Specialist position is to measureably increase the enrollment and retention of students. The successful incumbent will be a champion for Pierpont and community college education, proactively seeking prospective students and students to assist, support, and advise. The incumbent will also manage an assigned student case load.

General Job Summary:  Plans, develops, coordinates, and participates in a variety of activities and events designed to raise awareness of Pierpont and recruit students to apply and enroll at the college and provide follow-up advising and student registration services.  The individual will be expected to maintain existing relationships with service region high schools, agencies, employers, and organizations, as well as develop new relationships with the intention of raising awareness of the college and promoting enrollment in all programming at the college, including academic, workforce, and continuing education opportunities.  The Admissions/Advising Specialist will be expected to actively participate in all student recruitment, enrollment, advising, and retention services as determined by institutional need and participate in on-going professional development.  Some evenings and weekends required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

                Student Recruitment and Enrollment

• Plan, participate, and execute events at college nights, community fairs, education fairs, career and technical events, and other community events to represent the institution and answer questions about institutional programming and make referrals as appropriate; attend such events upon invitation, including any evenings and weekends
• Initiate, develop, and maintain professional relationships with K-12 schools and service agencies and organizations to promote the institution.
• Initiate contacts with current, prospective, and pre-college students and parents/parent groups as appropriate; respond to requests for meetings accordingly.
• Lead campus tours as required for all campus locations and participate in all community outreach events as assigned.
• Participate in all outreach and re-recruitment campaigns, including, but not limited to, phone campaigns.
• Prepare admissions and advising materials, including handouts and slides for group presentations
• Assertively follows up with prospects made through a variety of college contact points
• Continue contacts with recruited students and assist students in defining their educational goals; selecting and registering for coursework.

Academic Advising and Case Management

• Assertively and regularly follows up with assigned case load, encouraging, and ensuring retention from semester to semester
• Serve as an academic advisor for students as assigned; maintain advising records, preserving confidentiality
• Provides academic advising that encourages student persistence to completion of selected program, noting opportunities for any additional “successful completion” markers prior to exit from college, as well as pathways to pursue post-Pierpont
• Remain current on institutional policies as related to admissions and requirements for successful completion of Pierpont programs
• Use institutional databases responsibly in the academic advising process
• Coordinate with related Student Services staff, deans, program coordinators, and faculty advisors in scheduling and hosting academic advising events in their respective areas that encourage enrollment of prospective students, re-enrollment of current students, and improved service delivery to all

College Service and Other Duties

• Serve on institutional committees, task forces, and working groups as assigned
• Provide recommendations to appropriate administrator in support of continuous improvements in institutional admissions/advising efforts, including not limited to recommendations regarding course scheduling, requests from students regarding program offerings, new practices or technologies that could improve service delivery
• Participate in professional development activities, both on and off-campus, to indicate ongoing professional capacity in the areas of admissions and academic advising for all Pierpont programs
• Other duties as assigned in support of key department and college initiatives

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong customer service orientation and sensitivity to the needs of working professionals Professional demeanor and image with ability and willingness to represent the institution professionally with a variety of on- and off-campus constituents
• Ability to effectively communicate to diverse audiences, both orally and in writing, and track those correspondences
• Ability and willingness to represent the institution at events that require public speaking and the use of presentation technology
• Ability and willingness to work closely with all college personnel in the pursuit of providing timely, responsive assistance to students for increased recruitment and student retention
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, including TEAMS
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends
• Willingness to participate in cross-campus projects and meet deadlines as assigned
• Initiate or seek out tasks in absence of specific instructions or directives

Education and Experience: 

• Associate degree minimum; Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
• One year of experience in academic advising or counseling or related student support role in post-secondary education
• Combination of education and experience commensurate with the requirements of the position, including teaching or counseling experience in the secondary school system
• Career coaching or related certification, or commitment to become similarly certified—with supervisor guidance and approval--with six months of employment

Physical Requirements:

• Conditions are those of a typical office environment: frequent communications with colleagues and students; the ability to enter data and write emails in a timely manner; sufficient mobility to represent the institution at off-campus events and on all campus locations
• Moderate physical activity, including the ability to travel and handle bulky presentation materials, with a lifting requirement up to 25 lbs.

Pierpont Community & Technical College is an equal opportunity provider, committed to employing a diverse faculty and staff, and actively seeks applications from women, minorities, and other persons from traditionally under-represented groups.