"Assistant Director of Admissions"

Requisition ID: 1501

Palo Alto University (PAU), a private, nonprofit university, founded in 1975 and located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, is a community grounded in values of social justice, dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling that meet the needs of today’s diverse society. The students at PAU reflect the diversity of the region, are engaged in their education, and committed to improving the lives of others. The University sees diversity in its staff and faculty as very important to serving its diverse student body (or synonymous with inclusive excellence). PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs with online, hybrid and residential options. PAU has an engaged faculty who make significant contributions to their fields and prepare future leaders who make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. When you put all of this together, PAU creates a legacy of confident, competent, and compassionate professionals who are at the forefront of psychology and counseling and who move ahead in life by moving lives ahead. 

Position Description

Job Title: Assistant Director of Admissions

Department: Office of Admissions

Reports to: Assistant Vice President, Admissions

Location: Palo Alto University, Alvin Campus or Remote

Employment Status: Full-time (40-hour workweek position)

Compensation: $75,000 - $78,000/year

              Plus medical, dental, vision benefits, 403(b) retirement plan, flexible spending account, and paid time off. 

About the Office of Admissions

The Office of Admissions manages a comprehensive outreach, recruitment, and admissions program for all PAU degree programs. Admissions team members aim to be both professional and approachable, and maintain the highest standards for access, equity and transparency in all aspects of our work. The Office of Admissions and Outreach recognizes that students can take many paths to PAU, and seeks to recruit and enroll those students who would thrive in our programs, regardless of background. 

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Admissions, the Assistant Director of Admissions will have primary responsibility for engaging with, supporting, and encouraging prospective students through the admissions process. The Assistant Director is a subject matter expert in graduate academic programs, and assists the University in meeting enrollment goals in an ethical manner focused on fit and student wellbeing. The Assistant Director plays a vital role in representing the University to prospective undergraduate students and is expected to be responsive, professional and warmly supportive. The Assistant Director serves as a graduate admissions specialist, processing applications, managing the selection process in collaboration with faculty, coordinating the interview process, issues admissions decisions and managing on-boarding for enrolling students. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure the confidentiality of student records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Engage with regional and national professional organizations, as appropriate.
• Heavy use of PsyCAS to manage the admissions processes. Leads annual updates to the graduate application, admissions forms, and auto-correspondence. Evaluates all procedures/processes for modification or improvements.
• Respond to assigned ZenDesk tasks. 
• Coordinate the graduate admission and selection process, including application review, admissions decisions (letter generation/email), and yield efforts at the direction of the faculty Admissions Committees.
• Collaborate with program offices/Financial Aid/Student Success in onboarding students. Ensure shared onboarding spreadsheet is up-to-date and accurate. 
• Provide excellent customer service, responding promptly to phone and email inquiries.
• Assist the team in admissions reporting and forecasting by providing insight into the pipeline. Completes bi-weekly funnel reports.
• Ensure excellent quality control within the admissions process, including keeping careful notes regarding communications with, and about, students in PsyCAS.
• Clearly understands policies and procedures, and applies them fairly and consistently. Seeks clarification if unsure.
• Attend recruitment events, including webinars, as needed.
• Assist in yield efforts for the programs, including admitted student events.
• Provide excellent customer service, prioritizing student needs.
• Participate in training and professional development. 
• Operationalizes the Inclusive Excellence Framework, with the goal of achieving a more diverse and inclusive student body.
• Participate in building and executing the University’s strategic plan; ensure recruitment efforts reflect the values of the University and the strategic plan.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Strong time management and prioritization skills, as well as strong attention to detail. 
• At least three years of experience in a school or university admission setting. 
• Comfort and experience with technology. Experience with CRMs and university Student Information Systems (SIS) is desirable. 
• Strong communication skills, especially in counseling and advising.
• Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

EEOC Policy

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancerrelated or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.