Admissions Counselor Job Description Template

Admissions counselor meeting with students in office

Part matchmaker, part navigator, a good admissions counselor can help students find the right next step in their career path or convince top applicants that your institution should be their destination of choice. Either way, increasing enrolments and a high rate of expected retirements in the field can make finding a well-qualified admissions counselor a difficult task.

Crafting a thorough admissions counselor job description can help entice top candidates to apply to your institution. Though duties and responsibilities may vary depending on whether you are looking to hire an admissions counselor for a secondary or higher educational institution, the template below can be amended to serve your needs.

For more ideas about what you might want to include in your job description, consider looking at current job listings for admission counselor openings at other institutions.

Admissions counselor meeting with students in office

Admissions Counselor

[Intro Paragraph] Begin your admissions counselor job description with a concise paragraph or list of bulleted items designed to sell your workplace to applicants. Is your institution a large research university, well-regarded liberal arts college, or an innovative secondary school? Whatever makes your school special needs to be highlighted near the top of your job post. This is also a great place to talk about your philosophy toward career development and work-life balance.

Admissions Counselor Job Responsibilities:

  • Recruits students by developing alumni networks, visiting high schools and college admission events, arranging and leading campus tours, and initiating campaigns to induce students to attend the institution.
  • Reviews prospective student applications and interviews prospective students.
  • Follows up with students to verify any application issues, including discrepancies or missing information.
  • Contacts applicant references to verify information included on resumes, letters of recommendation, and applications.
  • Works collaboratively with other admissions counselors to review applicants, make final admissions decisions, and send out admissions offers.
  • Conducts research, designs questionnaires for current students, analyzes questionnaire results, and leads focus groups to adjust recruiting strategies and materials.
  • Maintains recruiting operations by following policies and procedures and reporting needed changes.
  • Improves quality results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes and implementing changes.
  • Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, participating in professional organizations, and keeping current with legal guidelines and requirements.
  • Maintains accurate documentation of students’ progress toward their goals and next steps in the college admissions process.
  • Creates a resource-rich environment for students and teachers as it pertains to college readiness and educational and career planning.
  • Collaborates with parents/guardians to assist students with educational and career planning.
  • Maintains and disseminates information about standardized tests such as the PSAT, SAT, and ACT.

[Work Hours & Benefits] In this section you should aim to highlight the best attributes of the job to potential applicants, just as the first section of your instructional designer job description sold candidates on your workplace. Include the salary range and benefits. To ensure that the salary range you mention is in line with similar salaries for admissions counselors in your region, use a salary tool that allows you to input job title and location.

Admissions Counselor Skills/Qualifications:

  • Decision making
  • Motivation and persuasion
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Listening and interpersonal skills
  • Verbal communication
  • Supports diversity
  • Results driven
  • Willingness to travel extensively and work irregular and flexible hours

Education, Experience, & Licensing Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in counseling often required at the high school level
  • State license in counseling often required at the high school level
  • Prior admissions experience a plus

[Call to Action] Your admissions counselor job description should finish strong with a call to action that urges applicants to send a resume along with a cover letter.

You’ve Mastered the Admissions Counselor Job Description. Now Use it to Find the Right Hire

Your newly completed admissions counselor job post is sure to attract a candidate who is top of the class — if you get the word out to the right job seekers. Using a free job listing on Monster can extend your reach and attract the kind of applicants you need.