Admissions Counselor

Location: Colorado Springs or within a 40minute driving distance   

Remote 

Position 

Western Colorado University, a small, public university deep in the heart of the Rockies, seeks candidates for a full-time Admissions and Recruitment Counselor. This position is for the Southeastern Colorado territory and is ideally located in Colorado Springs. However, a candidate willing to travel to the territory can live across the Southeastern region. The Admissions and Recruitment Counselor is a professional position that combines recruitment, admissions counseling, and enrollment operations management.  

Duties 

The Admissions and Recruitment Counselor’s primary role is to increase Western's student enrollment through holistic recruitment/admissions, counseling, and marketing efforts. The position requires continuous presence throughout key territories to ensure Western serves students, families, and key stakeholders (such as high school counselors). This role is a remote, work-from-home position, requiring significant travel and activity.  

Responsibilities include:  

• Conducting prospective student and parent/guardian information sessions to share the Western experience, guide the admissions process, and ultimately drive enrollment. 

• Counseling students throughout the admissions process from prospective to enrolled student, supporting the college decision journey, and all next steps needed for matriculation to Western.  

• Reviewing and processing applications for first-year and transfer students within the territory in a timely manner.  

• Representing Western during recruitment opportunities, including but not limited to college fairs, high school visits, community events, expos, financial aid events, application days, admitted student events, and on-campus preview days. Creativity and innovation to reach prospective students beyond traditional admissions events is highly encouraged.  

• Utilizing a CRM (Slate), third-party data sources, and other statistical and analytical tools, to proactively develop and implement a territory management plan. 

• Maintaining up-to-date contact records while utilizing a CRM (Slate) to manage all efforts and optimize activities proactively.   

• Identifying and developing a multifaceted recruitment pathway. This will require a balanced level of year-round relationship building with various target audiences, including but not limited to high school partners, alumni, and various community organizations and leaders.  

• Developing, and effectively implementing a forward-looking calendar of recruitment activities on a continuous, rolling basis (at least 1-2 months ahead). 

• Meeting targeted activity, communication, and meeting/interaction goals. 

• Partnering with the Western community including academic departments, financial aid, the Academic Resource Center, athletics, the retention and success office, residence life, and more to maintain a deep understanding of Western’s offerings, and most importantly, to support students and connect them with key campus resources and personnel.  

• Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Admissions by performing other duties as assigned by the Director of Admissions or Vice President, including professional development, institutional and community events, and student support and engagement.  

• Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. 

Qualifications 

Minimum qualifications include: 

• Excellent written/oral communication and customer service skills 

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite  

• Successful experience building positive working relationships 

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and as a team player.  

• Bachelor’s degree (or, completing a Bachelor’s degree before the position begins)  

• Valid US driver’s license and good driving record required 

• Experience initiating and following projects through to completion, paying attention to details, and establishing and achieving goals.  

• Experience managing and maintaining database systems. 

• Located in Southeastern Colorado (Colorado Springs or within a 40-minute distance)  

Preferred qualifications include: 

• Experience and/or training in communicating with diverse populations 

• Experience in higher education, not-for-profit environments, and/or K-12 school systems 

• One year+ of admissions counselor experience or related experience in an institution of higher education. 

• Training in admissions practices/enrollment management, DEIJ+ issues in education settings, dealing with challenging people/situations 

• Spoken and written Spanish fluency. 

Compensation: $47,000 per year (full-time); FLSA exempt. Excellent shared contribution insurance and retirement plans, paid time off, and access to other University benefits.  

Targeted start date: As soon as possible; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.  

What you need to apply: The following required attachments must be included with the application: Cover letter describing your interest in the position, your resume, transcripts, and a list of three employment references.   

Please direct questions to Alissa Bevan, Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment: abevan@western.edu or 970-943-2305.  

Note: If a degree is required, official transcripts (unopened or delivered directly to HR) are required upon hire; copies/scans submitted during application will not serve the purpose of official transcripts upon hire. 

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte 

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 graduate and undergraduate students, the majority of which reside on the campus and in the community.  With average class sizes of 17 students, faculty and staff share a strong commitment to inclusivity and personalized, immersive education. They are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. Western is committed to continual growth in regard to diversity, equity, and inclusivity and promotes participation in DEI initiatives from students, faculty, staff, and the community. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEI Committee charge. 

The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver and the gateway to Crested Butte, a world class ski community.  K-12 students are served by the award-winning Gunnison Watershed School District. Both communities value the arts, quality of life, community-based wrap around services for children and adults, and continued personal growth and learning opportunities. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities including summer arts and music festivals, mountain biking, skiing, kayak/rafting, rock climbing, hiking and camping… all within minutes of the campus. 

Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.