Admissions Counselor

Admissions Counselor

Position Overview

As a member of the Enrollment Management Division, the Admissions Counselor is responsible for the development and implementation of innovative and effective recruitment initiatives, programs, and application management to ensure Portland State University meets enrollment goals. This position prioritizes recruitment initiatives and outreach of underrepresented college–going student populations. The counselor works extensively and collaboratively with key constituencies to ensure optimal effectiveness throughout the recruitment, admission, and enrollment process.

Specific assignments include outreach to high‑school and community‑college personnel, community‑organization partnerships, and independent oversight of assigned territories. The counselor represents the University and its academic programs to prospective students, families, and educational counselors, and independently plans recruitment strategies including high‑school visits, area receptions, and individual meetings. The role requires significant independent judgment, autonomy in planning work, and application of admission policy through secondary review of admissions applications with limited supervision.

The counselor must have strong English and Spanish written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds.

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least two years of related experience in admissions, recruitment, student advising, or a closely related field.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English, with fluency in both spoken and written communication in a professional setting.
• Professional
  
  Competencies:
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal presentation, and organizational skills.
  • Ease in using technology for communication, record‑keeping, and data management.
  • Demonstrated ability to interact cooperatively and sensitively with individuals from diverse cultures, ethnic groups, lifestyles, and backgrounds.
  • Ability to critically and logically analyze, synthesize, interpret, and extrapolate admission data, regulations, policies, procedures, and protocols.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, pay attention to detail, and deliver desired results.

• Bachelor’s degree with two to four years of related experience.
• Two to three years of experience working with undergraduate student populations.
• Experience with software systems such as Ellucian Banner (or equivalent), Campus Nexus (or equivalent CRM software), mobile technology, and social media.

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all of PSU’s policies, including the policies on prohibited discrimination & harassment and the professional standards of conduct.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long‑term sustainability goals.

Monday‑Friday 8:00 am‑5:00 pm; some weekends and evenings required.

The annual salary for this position will be between $56,880 and $60,948. Benefits include 95% premium‑paid healthcare, a generous retirement and vacation package, and reduced tuition rates for employees, spouses, or dependents at any Oregon University System schools.

Portland, Oregon