Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

Based remotely in Washington, DC or the surrounding area, this position will plan, administer and implement strategies regarding undergraduate student recruitment, selection and yield enterprise to meet institutional undergraduate admission and enrollment goals in the mid-Atlantic and DC metro region of the United States. The Assistant Director, First-Year Admissions (Regional) will report to the Associate Director of First-Year Admissions (Recruitment). 

Essential Functions 

• Manages the implementation of a recruitment plan for the Washington, DC metro region as a remote employee.  Executes division-specific recruitment activities and events in collaboration with other first-year admissions staff and university partners. 
• Develops and implements a plan to achieve the goal of increasing applications and enrollment in assigned geographic region. Uses data to research, investigate, and monitor trends to develop a comprehensive communication and recruitment plan. Develops and implements strategies to aid the University in creating and maintaining a diverse community. 
• Develops and presents a budget for a specific region to plan, execute and evaluate events for application and yield growth. Tracks activities, evaluates results, and creates specific reports for senior leadership.  
• Plans and conducts in-person and virtual recruitment travel following university and office travel policies. Represents UMass Amherst by visiting high schools, community-based organizations, and college and career fairs. Conducts large and small group presentations. Tracks fiscal expenditures to maintain budget targets. Manages and orders publications needed for specific travel regions. 
• Serves as active member of territory strategic planning teams in accordance with overall undergraduate recruitment and enrollment goals. 
• Determines admission eligibility for first-year students by evaluating the academic and non-academic credentials based on established criteria. 
• Makes admission decision recommendations on student applicants who clearly meet university admission review criteria and applicants who clearly do not meet admission criteria.  Analyzes, makes recommendations, and participates in the decision-making process on candidates whose applications need further review.   
• Serves as an active member of application review team(s), which are responsible for meeting admission goals for individual academic schools, colleges, and departments. 
• Represents UMass Amherst at formal on- and off-campus recruitment and yield information sessions and events.  Convey key admissions policies, procedures, and institutional messages to the public, prospective applicants and families to demonstrate how UMass Amherst can meet their academic and career goals. 
• Communicates with prospective students, school and community organization counselors, and parents. Serves in a public relations and information role by analyzing individual circumstances, answering questions, researching and solving problems by determining the most appropriate course of action.  Provides detailed information on a variety of subjects, including but not limited to admission, academics, financial aid, student life, and residential life. 
• Develops and implements first-year recruitment and enrollment initiatives that help meet the strategic recruitment and enrollment goals of the university. 
• Assists with campus-wide recruitment and enrollment efforts related to enrolling undergraduate students, including on- and off-campus events in collaboration with campus partners. 
• Assists the Associate Director of First-Year Admissions (Recruitment), with medium- to large-sized projects/programs by establishing and executing project plans, timelines, tasks and objectives to support the assigned project/program.  
• Works collaboratively with admissions colleagues, enrollment division staff, and personnel from other departments within the university on internal special and/or standing teams and/or committees. 
• Assumes the bulk of the responsibility for managing and coordinating select-out of state recruitment territories including establishing and maintaining the relationships with area high schools, high school counselors and community college counselors, providing counseling about options for admission and enrollment at UMass Amherst to prospective students, and training and serving as a resource for alumni recruiters that volunteer throughout the recruitment cycle.  

Other Functions 

• Reads transfer applications for admission when necessary. 
• Keeps abreast of pertinent developments at the university, in higher education, and in the field of professional admission work. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Bachelor’s degree and one year of professional experience as an admissions counselor/recruiter. 
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the undergraduate experience at a major research university. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with high school students, their families and college counselors in a variety of settings, to speak and write clearly and persuasively and to interact with people from diverse backgrounds.  Must be sensitive to multicultural and socioeconomic issues. 
• Excellent problem-solving skills. 
• Knowledge of relevant technology to make presentations and analyze data. 
• Ability to read, analyze, and make admissions decisions based on admission applications and related documents. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, to prioritize, and to achieve goals and objectives while managing multiple concurrent priorities. 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure) 

• Prior experience working in a large public research university. 
• Demonstrated competency in analyzing data and translating program goals into successful operating plans. 
• Previous experience with student information systems. 
• Valid driver’s license. 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Have or create a typical office environment at assigned remote location including a reliable internet connection.
• Ability to review and store travel-related materials at remote office.
• Comfortable standing behind the table at recruitment events for a few hours at a time. 
• Ability to transport materials (via rolling travel bag) weighing up to approximately 75lbs.  

Work Schedule 

• Monday – Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM (eastern standard time).  Must be responsive to the office via established communication methods and participate in all requested meetings remotely.  
• Required to work some evenings and weekends.  
• Required to travel extensively during the recruitment period (up to 10 weeks per year) for both in and out of state recruitment. 
• Required to travel to campus a couple of times during the admission cycle to participate in on-campus training and meetings.
• This position has the opportunity for a remote work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where the employee’s work location is to work from a site other than the UMass Amherst campus. 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, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.