Position Description:

The Admissions Counselor is an integral member of the Advancement Team, with lead responsibilities for meeting K-12 enrollment goals. This includes developing an applicant pool, walking with prospective students and parents through the application and enrollment process, and engaging with current families through re-enrollment. The Admissions Counselor works closely with the advancement team, principals, counselors, and the Business Office.

The successful candidate will have strong organizational and communication skills, a commitment to whole-child education from a faith-based perspective, and comfort with one-on-one conversations with parents who are discerning educational options for their child. The strongest candidate will be task oriented and able to engage in nuanced -- and sometimes sensitive -- confidential conversations. 

Key Responsibilities:

1. Develop an inquiry pool of new students using Finalsite
   1. Implement annual events to engage with prospects, including elementary events (K open houses, community events), and MS/HS events (Family Visitation Days, community education events, etc)
1. Develop and implement a marketing plan in collaboration with the Communications Specialist to generate leads. 
2. Use Finalsite to develop communication plan to track inquiries, respond to inquiries, and answer questions in a timely manner
3. Encourage a culture of hospitality at EMS by working with student leaders, faculty, and staff for admissions support
2. Track applicants through admissions process using Finalsite
1. Work with parents/guardians to complete admission files and to counsel during the process as necessary
2. Maintain accurate notes and records in Finalsite
3. Review files and make acceptance decisions with the admissions committee. Schedule admissions committee meetings to review and decide if an applicant’s file includes learning plans (IEP/504 plan), psychoeducational evaluations, incident reports, information discovered during admissions process which may affect applicant’s success at EMS, or perceived educational or social/emotional needs 
3. Oversee the enrollment process through Finalsite platform
1. Work with parents to complete the enrollment process 
2. Collaborate with the Business Office for communication with new families with affordability/contract questions and FACTS tuition assistance applications. 
3. Work with Alumni and Advancement Coordinator on various duties for new students (folders for school records, welcome packages)
4. Plan and implement events to onboard new students and nurture student engagement 
1. K, 6th, 9th socials in May; summer ice cream socials for new MS/HS students
2. Assist with planning and carrying out orientation events
3. Conduct a follow-up touch point with K-12 new parents/guardians in fall.
4. Plan and assist with new MS/HS student “check-in” lunches
5. Big/Little Program pairings and activities at orientation and throughout the year
6. Train student hosts for visiting prospective students and to develop student leadership capacity
5. Lead re-enrollment through Finalsite
1. Collaborate with Business Office as needed for communication with current families in February
2. Work with parents of currently enrolled students to enroll for the coming year in March
3. Listen to learn from parents/families who withdraw
4. Work with Business Office and Counseling Suite to ensure relevant data is collected before re-enrollment (Feb) and transfer of Finalsite data to PowerSchool SIS is completed (July)
6. Oversee International Admissions, Enrollment, and SEVIS requirements
1. Assuring SEVIS policies and procedures are following and serving as PDSO
2. Recruitment
3. Admission process
4. Enrollment, I-20 issuance, documentation collection
5. Host family assessment, orientation
6. New student orientation
7. Support throughout the year: Student, host family, teachers
8. Travel plans – arrival, Christmas break, and departure
9. Transferring I-20 post graduation
7. Monitor demographic trends in admissions and enrollment
1. Provide insight for strategic admissions and enrollment conversations
2. Conduct at least one enrollment meeting a year to discuss such topics as local demographics, competitor information, trends in K12 private education, etc.
8. Serves on school-wide committees as requested/volunteered
1. Provides insights to Strategic Leadership Team, Operations Leadership Team, and Advancement Committee as requested
2. Serves on the Equity Group to join efforts to look at all school activities and processes through an equity lens, especially admissions

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

1. Deep commitment to the mission of Eastern Mennonite School with the ability to articulate the EMS value proposition to various audiences.
2. Bachelor’s degree with at least five years of work experience in admissions, sales, marketing, or similar business-oriented position preferred.
3. Excellent customer relations experience. Strong listening skills; strong verbal and written communication skills. 
4. A proactive, “can-do” approach, with ability to identify and anticipate challenges, analyze situations and recommend solutions.
5. Ability to multitask and prioritize duties.
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality related to finances, health and school records.
7. A self-reflective approach to professional growth; comfortable with receiving and implementing feedback, as well as providing it to others.
8. Flexibility in working hours – occasional evenings and weekends may be required;
9. Intermediate or better proficiency in Google suite of products and ability to learn new software. Experience with data systems including CRM tools strongly preferred.
10. Physical considerations include keyboard and screen work a majority of the work day; event set up including moving tables, setting up yard games, lifting heavy water coolers, and other physical movements.

To apply online, go to https://www.easternmennonite.org/about/employment/.