Student Outreach Counselor

About the Position

The Office of Student Outreach provides comprehensive services to prospective students, current students, staff, faculty, and members of the community-at-large seeking University information or services concerning outreach, pre-admission advising, transfer credit evaluation and financial aid.

This Student Outreach counselor position conducts a full range of enrollment service activities. Under the general supervision of the Director of Student Outreach, this position specializes in generating, cultivating, advising, converting, and yielding prospective students within a defined market territory as well as supporting efforts to meet the University's overall new student enrollment goals.

• Responsibilities include (but are not confined to) the following : conduct on and off-campus pre-admission advising appointments regionally and out-of-area as needed;
• organize and oversee on and off-campus events; conduct advising and promotional visits to high schools and community colleges with corresponding reports of prospect generation and conversion from prospect to applicant, acceptance and enrollment from said schools;
• represent all University programs (both academic and co-curricular) through presentations and workshops; represent the University at college fairs / evening programs;
• conduct informational presentations on Cal State East Bay, the CSU system, admissions, and financial aid; provide follow-up written, electronic and telephone communication to prospective students;

build and sustain positive relationships with prospective students, their families, and high school & community college counselors by serving as the specific institutional resource / liaison for the territories that are this counselor's responsibility.

Responsibilities

Work to generate, cultivate, convert, and yield new student inquiries from within a defined market by providing outreach and recruitment services :

• Oversee territory and conduct recruitment travel to high schools and community colleges statewide and represent the University at college fairs, counselor conferences, at other events, and in professional organizations.
• Conduct market research and study Cal State East Bay prospect and enrollment data to develop a plan of annual visits to high schools and community colleges, conduct pre-admission advising appointments on and off-campus within specific territories, as well as to support colleagues assigned to other territories as needed.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead the implementation of presentations, college fairs, workshops and other educational services from campus partners / departments (i.

e. SEAS, EOP, academic programs, etc) designed to encourage and facilitate college admissions and enrollment.

• Conduct periodic assessment / complete comparative reports of contacts generated from high schools and community colleges and their progress to applicants and assess acceptance of applicants and rates of enrollment from high schools and colleges in assigned territories.
• Develop and sustain relationships with high schools and community colleges by being conversant in the University's academic and extracurricular opportunities, being data informed, and projecting a positive professional demeanor and appearance.
• Serve as a resource for students, schools, and community based organizations within assigned territory and conduct ongoing communication (direct mail;

electronic, telephone) with prospects, applicants, and admitted students within assigned territories and occasionally assisting in other territories as assigned.

• Occasional visits will be made to select territories in Southern California, including but not limited to the regions of Pasadena, San Bernardino, Ontario, Riverside (Inland Empire), Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.
• Provide accurate, ethical, and up to date pre-admission and initial financial aid advising.
• Exhibit cultural competency as well as sensitivity to those from diverse economic backgrounds.
• Maintain familiarity with, and effectively communicate Cal State East Bay marketing messages and craft communications conforming to the University's message platform, Enrollment Services communication plans, and in keeping with the University communication style guide.
• Regularly reference, retain, recall, and apply CSU and Cal State East Bay recruitment, admissions policies and procedures.
• Advise students and their family members on CSU admission requirements and eligibility, Cal State East Bay's impact, as appropriate, as well as general financial aid information by way of informational presentations on Cal State East Bay, the CSU system, admissions, and financial aid.
• Provide institutions within assigned territory needed / requested information, as appropriate.
• Follow through in a timely manner on all requests for information / assistance .
• Serve as a liaison between prospective students and admissions / financial aid personnel to ensure accurate and timely evaluation and communication.
• Assist in developing innovative and effective methods to build relationships with students from your market territory, e.

g. social media, as well as through electronic and print communication.

• Report recruitment activities using a standard reporting form, file regular reports with the director regarding activities.
• Track and report on visits, counseling appointments, events, and other activities.
• Assist with Welcome Center duties as needed including : providing coverage when needed, information sessions to campus visitors, and pre-admission appointments hosted in the center.
• Tele-counsel prospective students, applicants, and admitted students at various points in the enrollment funnel.
• Assist with departmental social media efforts.
• Cross-train on fulfillment center duties, serving as back up in absence of fulfillment center coordinator.

Provide general information and service for all Enrollment Management functions :

• Respond to electronic and telephone inquiries in a timely fashion (e.g. 24 hours) and deliver service in the areas of pre-admission / recruitment, admissions, records and registration, graduation evaluation, and financial aid.
• Provide information to prospective and current students needed to successfully academically meet admissions requirements, complete the admission & financial aid application processes, or progress as a Cal State East Bay student.
• Provide transcript evaluation service to prospective students to inform students of requirements for admission.
• Assist the Office of Admissions with coordinated transcript evaluation service.
• Regularly and accurately reference and apply EM policies and procedures.
• When answering calls or responding to electronic inquiries to deliver exceptional & courteous service, transferring callers or forwarding emails to other EM specialists only as absolutely necessary.
• Actively problem-solve and employ appropriate independent judgment in dealing with those inquiring.
• Know, embrace, and effectively communicate the Cal State East Bay marketing platform.
• Communicate benefits of Cal State East Bay education.
• Participate in ongoing comprehensive cross-training efforts within the EM.
• Participate in the development of work teams within EM.

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned :

• Special projects or unanticipated needs may result in other duties being assigned.
• Staff and complete tasks at on-campus events at the direction of the event coordinator.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience :

• The equivalent of two (2) years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field.
• Experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth.
• A Master’s degree in a job related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience.

Education :

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job related field.
• Additional specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.

Knowledge and Abilities :

• Working knowledge of the practices, procedures and activities of the program to which assigned; general knowledge of the methods and problems of organizational and program management.
• General knowledge of research and interview techniques; and of the principles of individual and group behavior.
• Ability to interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
• Use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long-range program improvements.
• Obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews.
• Reason logically; collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentations based on these data.
• Advise students individually and in groups on routine matters where required.
• Recognize multicultural, multi-sexed and multi aged value systems and work accordingly.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with faculty, CSU administrators, student organizations, private and public agencies and others in committee work, and student advising and community contacts;

and, rapidly acquire a general knowledge of the overall operation, functions and programs of the campus to which assigned.

Demonstrated ability to make decisions and carry through actions having implications with regard to other program or service areas Services Office.

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field.
• Experience and demonstrated effectiveness in presenting to large groups, providing information on admissions, financial aid, Cal State East Bay, and the CSU.
• Ability to quickly develop comprehensive knowledge about Cal State East Bay and CSU enrollment requirements, policies, and procedures, as well as general knowledge about financial aid processes and procedures.
• Ability to promote constructive dialog, and demonstrated effectiveness as a sympathetic listener.
• Ability to carry-out complex assignments without detailed instructions.
• Ability to interact professionally and effectively, individually or in group settings, with prospective students and their family members, school / college counselors, and colleagues.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to identify and analyze organizational and operating problems and implement appropriate responses.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to plan, coordinate, and initiate actions necessary to implement administrative or group decisions or recommendations.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to learn and use administrative database system(s), instant messaging, degree audit software, document imaging software, and MS Office applications.
• Ability and willingness to understand, embrace, and communicate Cal State East Bay marketing messages
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License.
• Ability and willingness to accommodate a flexible work schedule that includes evenings and weekends.
• Must be willing and able to complete frequent travel via car throughout California.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

• One (1) year of experience in a college / university setting in outreach and recruiting is preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Experience with a CRM.
• Experience with social media platforms.

Condition(s) of Employment

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including LiveScan, as appropriate), that may include, but is not limited to : criminal records check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certificates, credit history, professional references and / or verification of work history is required for employment.

Cal State East Bay will issue a conditional offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and / or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.

Unsatisfactory results may also affect the continued employment of current Cal State East Bay employees who were conditionally offered the position.

All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate. LiveScan is conducted through the University Police Department.

EEO Statement

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Cal State East Bay does not discriminate on the basis of any protected categories : age, ancestry, citizenship, color, disability, gender, immigration status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran's status.

The University is committed to the principles of diversity in employment and to creating a stimulating learning environment for its diverse student body.