Admissions Officer, Pre-College

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Pre-College, the Admissions Officer, Pre-College Program's primary responsibilities are to read and render admissions decisions on applications to the School of Professional Studies' Pre-College programs, represent the program at fairs, lead information sessions and other events, advise prospective students and their parents throughout the enrollment cycle on all relevant topics. The portfolio of pre-college programs currently includes one-week, two-week, and three-week summer programs, College Edge, and additional programs during the academic year.

Responsibilities

Recruitment

• Attend recruitment events to promote the Pre-College Programs
• Maintain prospective student records in the CRM and produce regular reports to track outcomes specific to recruitment initiatives, adjusting recruitment strategies based on outcomes
• Conduct in-person and online information sessions about the Pre-College Programs for students, parents, and institutional partners
• Research, identify, and develop recruitment opportunities with domestic and international high schools and sending institutions
• Respond to a high volume of phone calls, emails, and walk-in visits from prospective students, applicants, and their parents, advising them on the available curricular options and what might be appropriate given the student's background and academic goals
• Proactively reach out to prospective students and applicants at key intervention points to encourage application submission and the completion of required next steps for admitted students

Admissions Operations

• Conduct application integrity screening for potential integrity lapses
• Read applications and render admissions decisions
• Manage a complex program capacity monitoring and waitlist process to ensure enrollment goals are met
• Oversee the course sectioning and registration of students into the appropriate course section
• Test the online application, report application errors, and make recommendations for improvement to the application system and process
• Contribute to the new admission cycle application launch
• Provide feedback on applicant quality and relevant insights gathered during the application review process and contribute decision-making on communication and workflow adjustments throughout the enrollment cycle
• Ensure that decision and enrollment information is accurately represented within all appropriate systems

Advising

• Advise enrolling residential students and their parents prior to the start of the session
• Communicate with applicants about the next steps needed to enroll in classes, including proactive outreach to students who have not yet fulfilled their immunization requirements
• Respond to questions from students and parents about the program post-admission
• Lead sessions in the new student orientation program
• Proactively communicate with program attendees about the distribution of course evaluations and respond to parent and student questions about the course evaluations and other post-enrollment inquiries

Assist with other programs and School-wide events, and perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and / or equivalent related experience required
• 2 years related experience
• A resume and cover letter with salary requirements must be submitted to be considered for the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in admissions, recruitment, or academic advising
• Familiarity with SPS program offerings

Other Requirements

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills (verbal and written), and experience presenting in small group and large group settings, and to a variety of audiences, including individuals in positions of influence
• Intellectual curiosity, sound problem-solving and decision-making abilities, and strength in creative and innovative thinking
• High energy and passion for recruiting
• Proficiency with Windows, Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel required
• Proficiency with Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets required
• Ability to work mornings, evenings, and weekends, as needed
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organization and time management skills, and the ability to perform non-routine work with changing priorities
• Ability to handle confidential information in a mature, professional manner
• Must be able to work with a diverse student body, faculty, and administrators
• Experience in a fast-paced student or client service-oriented environment
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams in a highly matrixed environment, receiving direction from and providing support to multiple sources
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making abilities, both as an independent entity and as part of a team
• Demonstrated experience using a relational database, online application system, and / or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, ideally in a higher education setting
• Ability to travel within the NY-Metro area and domestically

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.