About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions will recruit, select and advise transfer students in all aspects of admission and transfer processes to provide for a smooth transition to the University and meet institutional undergraduate admission and enrollment goals. This role will have an emphasis on out-of-state recruitment efforts, including the identification and growth of new potential markets.
Essential Functions
- Provides comprehensive, individualized and small group advising to a diverse population of prospective transfer students.
- Advises enrolling students regarding college and university academic regulations, requirements, and guidelines.
- Assists students in course selection, development of a transfer plan and preparation for admission into an appropriate major. Recommends courses for prospective students to take which will transfer into the university.
- Develops and maintains general knowledge of resources available to transfer students.
- Provides transfer policy information to prospective students.
- Advises students on admission selection criteria including guidance on competitive majors and concentrations.
- Directs prospective students to the appropriate application process.
- Provide basic immigration information to student visa holders.
- Reads transfer applications and determines admissions eligibility by evaluating academic and non-academic credentials based on established standards.
- Analyzes, makes recommendations, and participates in the decision-making process on candidates whose applications need further review.
- Reviews and codes applicants for the appropriate residency status and transfer type according to state and federal requirements related to institutional reporting.
- Evaluates the applicants’ records for transfer coursework and provides an estimation of acceptable transfer credits in the preliminary transfer credit form.
- Assigns the appropriate general education student group based on the applicant type and sending institution.
- Indicates which placement exams are required for admitted students.
- Recruits at community colleges within an assigned territory, cultivates professional relationships with institutions, and serves as a primary contact with community college representatives.
- Represents the university at community college fairs, recruitment presentations, and campus visitor events.
- Reviews and analyzes multiyear demographic and enrollment trend reports and work with transfer admissions team to plan and implement targeted recruitment activities in defined regions.
- Participates in debriefing exercises to assess the success of recruitment and outreach efforts.
- Identifies long-term recruiting goals, strategies, and innovative ways to recruit talented transfer students.
- Serves as liaison to on-campus departments and off-campus organizations to help increase the volume and quality of transfer applications.
Other Functions
- Acts as a project/program manager, under the direction of the Senior Assistant Director of Transfer Admissions, on medium- to large-sized projects/programs by establishing and executing project plans, timelines, tasks and objectives to support the assigned project/program.
- Participates in rotation for walk-in visits and presentation at information sessions with transfer staff.
- Serves as a liaison with designated academic program or college and coordinates special programs as assigned.
- Keeps abreast of pertinent developments at the university, in higher education, and in the field of professional admission work.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of professional experience working in admissions and/or advising.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with prospective students, their families and college/transfer counselors and faculty from diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to read and understand admissions materials.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proficient in office computer skills.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Experience working with customer relations management software.
- Experience as an admissions counselor/recruiter for transfer or nontraditional students.
- Bilingual ability.
- Valid driver’s license.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
- Required to lift and carry recruitment materials weighing less than 20 lbs.
Work Schedule
- Monday – Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
- Required to work some evenings and weekends.
- Required to travel up to 10 weeks per year for both in and out of state recruitment.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 26
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.