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Position Title & Department:
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Admission Counselor; Undergraduate Admission |
| Posting # |
5499
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| Department Description: |
Undergraduate Admissions celebrates innovative thinkers who are determined to create lasting change. Our students and faculty members embrace change and relish being part of a globally-minded community of scholars.
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| University Description: |
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.
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| Detailed Description: |
The Admission Counselor serves as a primary representative of the University, managing the full recruitment cycle within assigned territories. This role balances strategic outreach—including travel, presentations, and relationship management—with meticulous application review. The Counselor acts as a dedicated guide for prospective students and families, navigating them through the enrollment process while contributing to the development of departmental policies and recruitment strategies.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Application Evaluation & Scholarship Review
- Comprehensive Review: Perform holistic evaluations of freshman and transfer applications by calculating cumulative GPAs, assessing curriculum rigor, and analyzing school competitiveness.
- Decision Making: Recommend final admission decisions (Admit/Deny/Waitlist) based on individual student profiles, applicant pool trends, and the University’s mission.
- Scholarship Management: Determine merit-based scholarship eligibility and award amounts based on established institutional criteria.
- Stakeholder Communication: Provide transparent and empathetic updates to prospective families and high school counselors regarding application status and decisions.
Strategic Territory Management & Recruitment
- Data-Driven Travel: Manage assigned geographic territories by analyzing historical data and school reports to identify high-priority high schools, community colleges, and CBOs for recruitment.
- Outreach & Presentation: Lead engaging presentations at high schools and college fairs; coordinate off-campus receptions and alumni networking events.
- Logistics: Independently schedule and manage all travel logistics for recruitment during the Fall and Spring seasons with some trips potentially lasting two consecutive weeks.
- Professional Development: Represent the University within professional organizations such as NACAC and WACAC to stay current on industry trends and ethics.
Counseling & Public Information Sessions
- Student Advising: Serve as a subject matter expert for prospective students on admission requirements, financial aid basics, academic programs, and campus life.
- Community Outreach: Conduct workshops for college-access groups (e.g., AVID, Upward Bound, CalSoap) to assist underrepresented populations with college planning.
- Campus Presence: Serve as the designated "Counselor of the Day," providing one-on-one consultations for visiting families and supporting all major on-campus recruitment events.
Leadership & Collateral Projects
- Liaison Duties: Act as the formal point of contact for specific Academic or Athletic departments to streamline the recruitment of specialized cohorts.
- Transfer Support: Assist with domestic and international transfer credit advising and evaluation.
- Project Management: Co-lead the planning and execution of special admission events and departmental initiatives as assigned.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
Special Conditions of Employment:
Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
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| Job Requirements: |
Minimum Qualifications:
- Degree: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Experience: Minimum of 1 year in college admissions or a relevant field such as K-12 education, student leadership/outreach, public relations, or sales/marketing.
- Licensure: Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record for recruitment travel.
Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Technical & Communication Skills
- Public Speaking: Exceptional oral communication skills with the ability to present confidently to diverse audiences, ranging from individual families to large groups of several hundred.
- Interpersonal Savvy: Strong written communication skills and the ability to build rapport with students, parents, and high school partners from diverse backgrounds.
- Tech-Forward: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and a willingness to master recruitment databases (CRMs like Slate or Salesforce) and virtual meeting platforms (Zoom/Teams).
Operational Competencies
- Self-Management: Proven ability to work independently, manage a complex travel schedule, and meet strict deadlines without constant direct supervision.
- Collaboration: A team-oriented mindset with the flexibility to contribute to a high-energy, collaborative office environment.
- Institutional Knowledge: A baseline understanding of—or a strong desire to learn—the University of San Diego’s mission, academic programs, and unique student life.
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| Posting Salary: |
$5858.67 - 5859 per month; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.
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| Special Application Instructions: |
Resume and Cover Letter Required
Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.
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| Additional Details: |
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Closing date: April 6, 2026
Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.
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