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About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Admissions Counselor participates in planning, administering and implementing strategies to increase undergraduate international student recruitment, selection and yield enterprise to meet institutional undergraduate admission and enrollment goals for specific regions of the world.

Essential Functions

• Participates in the implementation of a recruitment plan for a region (i.e. the Middle East, Southeast Asia, South America). Assists with the execution of country-specific recruitment activities and events in collaboration with other international admissions staff and University partners.
• Participates in plans to achieve the goal of increasing applications and enrollment of international students. Collaborates with colleagues to implement strategies to aid the University in creating and maintaining a diverse community.
• Plans and conducts in-person and virtual recruitment travel following university and office travel policies. Represents UMass Amherst by visiting high schools, community-based organizations, and college and career fairs. Conducts large and small group presentations. Tracks fiscal expenditures to maintain budget targets. Manages and orders publications needed for specific travel regions.
• Serves as an active member of application review team(s), which are responsible for meeting admission goals for individual academic schools, colleges, and departments.
• Makes admission decision recommendations on student applicants who clearly meet University admission review criteria and applicants who clearly do not meet admission criteria. Analyzes, makes recommendations, and participates in the decision-making process on candidates whose applications need further review.
• Provides basic immigration information to student visa holders.
• Collaborates with both external and internal partners to help international students access and utilize important campus services during their matriculation process.
• Represents UMass Amherst at formal on- and off-campus recruitment and yield information sessions and events. Conveys key international admissions policies, procedures, and institutional messages to the public, prospective international applicants and families to demonstrate how UMass Amherst can meet their academic and career goals.
• Communicates with prospective international students, school and community organization counselors, and parents. Serves in a public relations and information role by analyzing individual circumstances, answering questions, researching and solving problems by determining the most appropriate course of action. Provides detailed information on a variety of subjects, including but not limited to admission, academics, financial aid, student life, and residential life.
• Works collaboratively with admissions colleagues, enrollment division staff, and personnel from other departments within the University on internal special and/or standing teams and/or committees.

Other Functions

• Reads domestic and transfer applications for admission when necessary.
• Keeps abreast of pertinent developments at the University, in higher education, and in the field of professional admission work.
• Participates in supervision of student staff as directed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree.
• Ability to read, analyze, and make admissions decisions.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the undergraduate experience at a major research university.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with high school students, their families and college counselors in a variety of settings, to speak and write clearly and persuasively and to interact with people from diverse backgrounds. Must be sensitive to multicultural and socioeconomic issues.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency with technologies such as Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Teams, and other similar technologies.
• Knowledge of relevant technology to make presentations, analyze data, etc.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, to prioritize, and to achieve goals and objectives while managing multiple concurrent priorities.
• Valid driver's license and proof of insurability.
• Ability to obtain a university credit card.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday - Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
• Required to work some evenings and weekends.
• Required to travel internationally and domestically up to 10 weeks per year.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 25

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.