Job no: 501528
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Enrollment Management Ops
Union: PSU
Categories: Administrative/Office Support

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

Under the general direction of the Assistant Provost for Diversity & Director of Freshman Admissions, serving as primary administrative support to the Freshman Admissions Team, the Associate Director of Freshman Admissions will manage the execution of the first-year, undergraduate admission evaluation process. The Associate Director of Freshman Admissions will work collaboratively with both the Associate Director for Diversity and the Associate Director for Freshman Recruitment to bring in the Freshman Class.

Essential Functions

(50%) Serve as primary support for all reading season initiatives with regard to undergraduate Freshman.

• Participate as a member of the Freshman Admissions Team.
• Manage and supervise three to five direct reports, overseeing their annual evaluation process, administrative tasks relating to their work, and professional development opportunities.
• Hire, train and directly manage seasonal reading staff as needed taking volume of staffing needs into consideration each year.
• Oversee the timely and accurate processing of admission applications by the counseling and seasonal staff for both fall and spring entering freshman.
• Support the hiring and onboarding of student staff.
• In collaboration with the Director of Freshman Admissions, rely on data-driven decision-making to develop new and update existing reading guidelines in support of crafting a highly competitive class of entering students through the use of a true holistic review process in which the integrity of our practice is held to the highest standard.
• Determine freshman staff reading charges for the season and update reader assignments and training manuals.
• Serve as the Directors' proxy for facilitating Freshman staff meetings during reading season, provide updates to readers and manage the execution of the reader Qualitative Control (QC) process.
• Manage scheduling and calendars in collaboration with the Director of Freshman Admissions for all readers during the Early Action and Regular Decisions application review process to ensure that reading is done in a timely fashion.
• Collaborate with Director of Freshman Admissions on reader staff professional development relating to the reading process.

(40%) Serve as an active participant in the first-year recruitment and enrollment processes.

• Review and evaluate admissions applications, including high-profile and complicated cases. Determine eligibility by evaluating the academic and non-academic credentials based on Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (MBHE) criteria and evaluating the difference among secondary schools.
• Travel to and represent the university at college fairs, community and high school recruitment presentations, and campus visitor events across assigned travel territories.
• Convey key institutional messages to prospective students, parents, and school counselors. Demonstrate how the university can help meet prospective applicants’ academic endeavors.
• Cultivate professional relationships and serve as a point of contact for school counselors, students, and families interested in the enrollment process at the university.
• Serve as liaison to on-campus departments and off-campus organizations to help maintain the quality of our applicant pool.

(10%) Other Functions

• Serve in the absence of the Assistant Provost & Director of Freshman Admissions on all matters pertaining to freshman application management.
• Keep abreast of pertinent developments at the university, in higher education and in the field of professional admissions work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, multicultural education or a related field.
• Five years of progressive experience in undergraduate student recruitment.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience mentoring people who are new to the admissions field.
• Sensitivity to multicultural and socioeconomic issues.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and persuasively.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills and the ability to manage multiple projects while exhibiting professionalism and a commitment to teamwork.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the undergraduate experience at a major research university
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout the academic year, and the flexibility to work on weekends and evenings as needed.
• Demonstrated use of superior professional discretion.
• Confident in the use of data and technology including social media.
• Valid driver's license, proof of insurability.

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

• Master’s degree in Higher Education or related field.
• Proficiency in Slate CRM.
• Bilingual ability.

Additional Details

• Incumbent reports to the Assistant Provost of Diversity & Director of Freshman Admissions.
• Position functions with minimal supervision in performing job duties and responsibilities.
• Must be able to exercise sound judgment and to prioritize goals and formulate independent decisions regarding procedures and operations.
• Works with others to formulate plans and objectives in accordance with overall statewide, university, and admissions goals.

Work Schedule

M-F, 8:30 – 5:00 PM, some nights and weekends are required.

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Salary Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants must apply by the priority deadline of July 26, 2019 in order to ensure consideration. Applications may be accepted after the priority date until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

To apply, please provide a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information 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 the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jun 28 2019 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: