Bluefield University Employment Opportunities

Enrollment Counselor – Online & Graduate Programs

PRIMARY PURPOSE/SCOPE

Reporting to the Director of Online Enrollment, the Enrollment Counselor (EC) is responsible for fostering counselor-student relationships. Working over the phone in a fast-paced team environment, the EC works to advise and enroll undergraduate and graduate students seeking an online degree. This position is also responsible for identifying students’ educational goals and disseminating course and program information to potential students. ECs are energetic and service-focused people who are driven by impacting students’ lives.  They are adept at counseling online students as they begin their degree program to ensure long-term student success and retention.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

The essential duties, responsibilities, and functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Manages a high volume of inbound and outbound calls from prospective students seeking information on Bluefield College graduate and undergraduate online programs.
  • Counsels and qualifies prospective students on program fit, admissions requirements, financial aid processes, transfer guidelines, licensure, and military-related issues.
  • Utilizes multiple systems and resources to review, assess, assist, and record student progression through the enrollment funnel while communicating the unique vision of Bluefield College Online.
  • Converts prospective students to qualified applicants for Bluefield College Online programs of study.
  • Assists new admissions students for the purpose of moving them from inquiry to acceptance.
  • Takes new applications for prospective students in accordance with department call flow while promoting Bluefield College Online programs.
  • Converts prospective students from application to admission decision in accordance with department call-flow while promoting Bluefield College Online programs.
  • Identifies obstacles, clarifies complex policies and information, facilitates research, and provides solutions and/or alternatives to meet students’ needs.
  • Promotes the features and benefits of all undergraduate and graduate programs as well as the added value of online education.
  • Identifies opportunities to improve effectiveness and efficiency in new student recruiting and new student services.
  • Assists students in determining an appropriate academic path, including selecting an appropriate major, choosing classes, and beginning to define a career path.
  • Acquires and maintains an in-depth knowledge of online program offerings and curriculum and integrates such information with students’ needs.
  • Walks through, to its completion, any student concerns to ensure long-term enrollment retention
  • Makes targeted outreach to students to identify potential obstacles to retention and graduation.
  • Keeping students as our first priority provides unwavering, exceptional service and support to students, faculty, and staff
  • Strives to be the expert on all Bluefield College policies while leveraging relationships with support offices as needed to address student issues and concerns
  • Building long-term relationships with the student population to provide them with a personal connection to Bluefield College and a functional asset during their educational experience
  • Maintain and exceed 80% phone utilization daily.
  • As a member of a high-performing team meets or exceeds departmental key performance indicators.
  • Implement daily and weekly feedback from the Management Team on ways to improve and develop.
  • Actively integrate Christian faith into professional practice and conduct.
  • All other duties as assigned by either the Director of Online Admissions or Vice President for Admissions & Student Development.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

  • High school diploma required
  • Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
  • Sales or customer service experience preferred

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • An understanding of proper phone etiquette
  • Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
  • Capability to represent the department and Bluefield College in a professional manner
  • Detail-oriented; able to consistently track and maintain the accuracy of data and information
  • A vibrant and authentic Christian faith and worldview consistent with the College’s mission.
  • A willingness to adhere to our employee code of conduct.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in a higher education admissions department or vendor-side call center and/or experience working directly with prospective students in higher education admissions/recruitment/marketing
  • Demonstrated knowledge of student advising and/or retention strategies
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word; working knowledge of Excel
  • Strong ability to hit the ground running in a fast-paced environment, coupled with the ability to take initiative and be self-motivated
  • Exceptionally strong written and verbal communication skills along with active listening
  • Ability to multitask, set priorities, and manage time effectively
  • Prospective student focus and adaptability to different personality types
  • Customer service or sales experience
  • Self-motivation and ability to set short term and long term goals

 OTHER DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

  • Interprets College policies to employees and enforces safety regulations.
  • Complies with all rules, policies, and procedures as established by Bluefield College.
  • Performs other tasks, projects, and duties as assigned.

 ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS

  •  Physical Demands

The physical demands described here 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 functions.  This position is not necessarily a physically demanding job and requires no specific physical demands other than those typical in a modern office environment.  Normal responsibilities should not afford risks of accidental injury.

  • Specialized Equipment Requirements

The use of specialized equipment listed here is representative of equipment an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This position requires no specialized equipment other than equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.

  • Working Conditions and Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions.  This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private residential institution of higher education, with physical remote site locations within 500 miles of the main campus in Bluefield, Virginia.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS 

 This position is subject to at least an annual evaluation based upon the job duties, responsibilities, and functions as set forth above.

 APPROVALS 

 The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of the same.  Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate.  The College reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time.  In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals.  However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the College.  Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts.  The College maintains its status as an at-will employer.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply for this position, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic staff employment application and upload the following:

  • Letter of interest
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Names and full contact information for at least three professional references
  • Statement of Christian Faith

Hard copy application materials may be sent to Judy Pedneau, Director of Human Resources at Bluefield College, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605, [email protected]

Additional information about Bluefield College is available at www.bluefield.edu.

To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.

The University is committed to supporting diversity and utilizing recruitment practices that do not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. Supervisors are personally accountable for ensuring their recruiting and selection processes are in keeping with the university’s recruitment philosophy and are conducted in a fair, equitable, and nondiscriminatory manner. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

 

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Moran

Associate Professor of Counseling

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education & Counseling,
Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program,
Title IX Confidential Counselor

Our team is here for you! How can we help?

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