ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Admissions Counselor, Part-Time to join our team.
The salary range for this position: $20.00 - 25.00 per hour.
Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions, this position is responsible for counseling prospective students to ensure they become applicants and enrolled students at the College. This is accomplished through meeting with students in individual appointments to counsel them on the application process and to provide feedback on prospective students’ portfolios as they pertain to our highly specialized undergraduate majors. The incumbent is assigned to a caseload of prospective students and is charged with delivering high-touch, individualized admissions and portfolio counseling, and conducting strategic outreach and follow-up communications that encourage them to schedule counseling appointments, become applicants when they meet the College's requirements, and enroll once they are admitted. This position will also provide day-to-day support for recruitment related activities on campus, including but not limited to providing tour information and/or conducting tours, presenting to group tours, and answering questions for walk-in prospects and families.
There are two open part-time, on-site positions and will be assigned one of the following schedules:
Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Domestic travel is required. The position requires flexible hours to accommodate department needs and programs, including nights and weekends.
Essential Functions
Counseling and Portfolio Reviews — 75%
- Counsel prospective students on the College’s admissions requirements, curriculum, financial aid policies, and transfer credit policies, as well as on career options within the visual arts and industrial design
- Evaluate students’ portfolios and provide advice on their readiness to apply; offer a plan of action for students who are not ready to apply
- Manage a high volume of counseling appointments, including scheduling and follow-up
- Maintaining accurate, descriptive, and timely records of feedback and interactions in the CRM/database, with strong attention to detail
- Responsible for actively managing a caseload of prospective students and applicants by way of implementing outreach and communication campaigns for various prospective student constituencies
- Build high-value counseling relationships with prospective and admitted students through proactive follow-up via phone, email, video, and CRM-integrated SMS
- Provide continuous support to students through all aspects of the admissions process from inquiry through enrollment
- Conduct consistent outreach to new prospects to fill available scheduling appointments throughout the year
- Serve as a reviewer during portfolio review events (e.g., National Portfolio Day, Virtual National Portfolio Day, AICAD Portfolio Feedback Portal, Etobicoke School of the Arts virtual portfolio feedback)
Recruitment and Admissions Activities — 20%
- Give presentations on the College to groups visiting campus and during virtual information sessions
- Become versed in the curricula and portfolio requirements for each major as well as in general financial aid and transfer processes
- Conduct tours of both the Hillside and South campuses, as needed
- Participate in Admissions reviews, as needed
- Evaluate applicant essays, as needed
- Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of recruitment events as needed, including but not limited to National Portfolio Days, Open House, virtual workshops and sessions, Accepted Student events, and special tours
Non-Essential Job Functions — 5%
- Serve on educational or institutional committees as appropriate
- Represent ArtCenter at outside events/conferences as necessary and appropriate
- Maintain memberships and active involvement in applicable professional organizations
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in studio art, design, or related field from an accredited college or university; or any equivalent combination of training and experience
- Experience in customer relations and service, preferably within an office or school setting
- Ability to plan, organize and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and prioritization to meet deadlines; ability to work effectively both independently and within groups
- Must be able to organize and structure a calendar of individualized counseling appointments and recruitment activities in a timely, logical way
- Strong oral and written communication skills to work effectively with ArtCenter staff, students and vendors, and maintain contacts/relations with high school and community college instructors, advisors, and prospective students
- Public speaking experience and comfort connecting with diverse audiences in person and through online video platforms
- Demonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment into workplace practices within ArtCenter’s diverse communities
- Demonstrated ability to use CRM software to execute assigned tasks and manage personal workflow to contribute to a larger team effort
- Effective counseling and listening skills
- Commitment to the importance of the visual arts and the student experience
- Ability to conduct research and utilize data meaningfully
- Ability to work occasional weekend and evening hours to staff events
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience within an educational or non-profit organization
- Prior experience working in an Admissions office or other higher education administration
- Prior experience using Slate CRM software
- Prior experience counseling and recruiting prospective students
Physical Demands and Working Environment
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions; extended periods of time viewing computer monitor; interactions with other individuals. Due to the nature of the work environment, there is regular exposure to fumes, dust and noise.
Physical: The position is generally sedentary. Employees sit most of the time, but may walk or stand for brief periods of time. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight (up to 20 pounds); to operate modern office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. Travel by car and airline and overnight travel is required.
Vision: Must be able to have the visual capacity to perform activities such as preparing and reading reports, viewing a computer terminal and other normal office work with or without correction.
Hearing: Must be able to communicate effectively in the course of normal office communication or exchange ideas with or without correction.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this job; they do not purport to describe all functions. Employees may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions may be changed from time to time as necessary.
Diversity Statement
ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.
Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)
ArtCenter will not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant’s prior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from a criminal history about an applicant or employee’s prior cannabis use, unless ArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.
Employment At-Will
All employment with ArtCenter is for an unspecified term and is “at-will.” Employees are free to resign at any time, with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenter has the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without prior notice. This “at-will” employment, which includes the College’s right to transfer, discipline, demote, or change the conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without prior notice, cannot be modified, amended or waived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only by an express individualized written employment agreement signed by both the employee and the College president
ArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to Report
All employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter’s Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the , Title IX Coordinator or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.
Pursuant to the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), all employees who know of or have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect involving alleged victims under age 18 shall promptly inform local law enforcement or the county welfare department.
