Admissions Counselor (Altoona)

Job Scope

The Admissions Counselor serves as a front-line recruitment professional responsible for territory management, outreach development, and enrollment conversion within an assigned geographic and/or demographic region. Reporting to the Dean of Admissions & Outreach, this position implements strategic recruitment initiatives designed to grow traditional, adult, workforce, and special population enrollments.

The Admissions Counselor builds sustained relationships with high schools, community organizations, employers, and regional partners to expand the College’s visibility and enrollment pipeline. The role requires consistent regional travel, data-informed follow-up, and proactive communication to guide prospective students from initial inquiry through enrollment. Evening and occasional weekend work, along with frequent travel within the College’s service region, are required.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned recruitment territory, developing and executing an annual outreach and visit plan aligned with institutional enrollment goals.
• Conduct recruitment travel to regional high schools, college fairs, job fairs, businesses, public and community centers, and other designated locations and events to promote College programs and services.
• Collaborate with community agencies, employers, and partner organizations to support recruitment initiatives and grow adult student enrollments.
• Engage in proactive admissions outreach to prospective students through phone calls, email, SMS, and other approved communication methods to move students through the enrollment funnel.
• Provide individualized admissions counseling to prospective students through the admissions pipeline, supporting their progression from inquiry through application, admission, and enrollment.
• Plan, promote, and facilitate recruitment events, including individual and group campus visits, open houses, information sessions, and other creative enrollment-focused programming.
• Provide accurate and engaging information about academic programs, admissions requirements, and student services during recruitment events.
• Monitor and maintain accurate and timely documentation of recruitment and admissions activities within the College’s CRM and student information systems to ensure timely follow-up and reduce enrollment melt between admission and enrollment.
• Meet established recruitment, application, and enrollment performance benchmarks.
• Collaborate with internal departments—including Financial Aid, Academic Affairs, Marketing, and Student Services—to ensure a smooth and coordinated onboarding experience.
• Attend required meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the admissions and recruitment mission.

Direct Reports

• None

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

• Associate’s degree or a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in admissions, recruitment, outreach, sales, marketing, customer engagement, student services, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education, Communications, Marketing, Business, Student Affairs, or related field is preferred.

Experience & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and effectively engage diverse populations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage a territory, and meet performance expectations.
• Preferred experience in higher education admissions, community college recruitment, or workforce outreach working with adult learners, first-generation students, or special population groups.
• Knowledge of financial aid processes and enrollment funnel strategies is preferred.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency with standard office technology and communication platforms (Microsoft Office Suite, email, virtual meeting tools).
• Experience using a CRM or student information system to track recruitment activity and enrollment pipelines is preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• A valid driver’s license and ability to travel within the College’s service region.
• PA State Police Criminal Background Clearance, PA Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Criminal History Clearance

Physical Demands:

• Ability to travel extensively within a designated service region.
• Ability to lift and transport recruitment materials (up to 25 pounds).
• Frequent standing and walking during recruitment events and campus tours.

Work Environment:

• Combination of office, campus, and field-based work with frequent local travel and occasional regional travel.
• Evening and weekend work may be required during peak recruitment seasons.
• Fast-paced, goal-oriented recruitment environment requiring multitasking and responsiveness.

Additional Notes

• Please note that employment applications referencing ‘see resume’ or similar phrases are considered incomplete and may not be considered.
• Please do not call to inquire about the status of your application. Only those candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted.
• Employment is contingent upon submission and satisfactory review of any background check clearances as may be required by Pennsylvania Act 153. Please refer to our Pre-Employment Background Check Information page for more detailed information.
• Successful candidate must be authorized to work in the United States and not require work authorization sponsorship by Pennsylvania Highlands Community College for any position now or in the future.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College promotes a drug-free workplace.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.