Job: Staff Assistant-Admission Counselor

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
375 Church Street
NORTH ADAMS, MA 01247

Phone:(413) 662-5596
Fax:(413)662-5578
Website:mcla.edu/About_MCLA/jobs

Company Description:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is a dynamic and vibrant four-year public college located in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1894, MCLA is the Commonwealth's public liberal arts college of the Massachusetts State University System. MCLA is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), a national consortium positioned at the forefront of the conversation on the value of a liberal arts education. MCLA was named one of U.S. News and World Report's Top Public Schools in 2018


Job Title:
Staff Assistant-Admission Counselor
Salary Range:Location:
NORTH ADAMS, MA
Job Type:Category:
Full TimeOffice and Administrative Support
Education Level:Work Experience:
Description:


Location: North Adams, MA Category: Administrative Posted On: Wed Apr 1 2026 Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES



The Staff Assistant/Admission Counselor supports all aspects of the undergraduate recruitment efforts of the College, including, but not limited to, planning and organizing recruitment travel, outreach to prospective students and partners, application review, and new student yield initiatives.



This position is responsible for supporting recruitment efforts in a designated downstate New York territory, including New York City and Westchester County, and requires regular travel to this region during the fall and spring recruitment cycles. Candidates must be able and willing to travel frequently throughout this territory in support of recruitment activities. Candidates who reside within reasonable traveling distance of the assigned territory (including parts of Connecticut and New Jersey) are encouraged to apply.



SUPERVISION RECEIVED



Works under the direct supervision of the Associate Director of Admission and Director of Admission.



SUPERVISION EXERCISED



Assists with supervision of Office of Admission student ambassadors and work-study students.



STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



Recruitment



Manages an assigned recruitment territory and travel schedule, including organizing and coordinating travel activities by contacting high schools, confirming the College's representation, and making reservations.



Represents the College at a variety of recruitment activities for the purpose of recruiting students to the College. This includes college night programs, high school visits, mini high school fairs, and other recruitment programs within the scope of the assigned territory.



Meets with prospective students and families through individual interviews, group information sessions, and virtual engagement opportunities.



Develops and maintains relationships with high school and college counselors to expand opportunities for prospective first-year students.



Establishes and cultivates relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs), college access programs, and community partners in the New York City and Westchester County area to expand awareness of MCLA and support prospective student outreach.



Assists in the planning and execution of recruitment and yield activities, including on-campus and off-campus events designed to encourage prospective student enrollment and increase counselor awareness of MCLA's academic offerings.



File Review



Evaluates undergraduate applicants from assigned territory in an accurate and timely fashion. Reviews academic credentials, calculates grade point averages, and renders admissions decisions in accordance with the College's admission standards.



Provides follow-up and advising to prospective students throughout the admissions process.



Utilizes the student records system and admissions tracking systems to maintain accurate application data, update admissions decisions, and track statistical characteristics.



Assists in the awarding of scholarships within the assigned recruitment territory, including merit-based and foundation scholarships.



Outreach and Communication



Utilizes and becomes proficient with the admissions Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to support outreach and communication with prospective students.



Collects, edits, and disseminates information for distribution to prospective students and families.



Assists in research and data collection to support understanding of student trends, needs, and interests.



Performs other duties related to supporting and developing programs designed to increase new student enrollment at MCLA.



Assists in off-hour coverage or supervision of student callers and admissions ambassadors as needed.



Supportive Duties



Assist other staff members with phone and office coverage when needed.

Serves as a campus tour guide for prospective students and families as needed.



Assists with campus and community programs and events.

Participates in institutional committees or working groups as appropriate.



Job Requirements:

Qualifications



  • Bachelor's degree is required.
  • Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout recruitment seasons (approximately 8?10 weeks in the fall and additional travel during the spring).
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and public speaking experience.
  • Quantitative skills and the ability to analyze data for admissions recruitment purposes.
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and campus partners to meet institutional enrollment goals.
  • Ability to effectively articulate the value of a public liberal arts education.
  • Familiarity with MCLA and its academic programs preferred.
  • Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in the New York City region is strongly preferred.
  • A valid driver's license is required.
  • Experience working with or recruiting first-generation, underrepresented, or historically marginalized student populations preferred.
  • Experience collaborating with community-based organizations, college access programs, or community partners serving diverse student communities preferred.


Additional Information:

This is a full time, permanent benefitted position within the APA bargaining unit. Salary for this position is $40,000-$45,000/year. 



Employee Benefits:

Health Insurance: MCLA offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.

Retirement: The MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.

Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.

Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.



Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.



Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources. 



Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.  



Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both. 



Lucas Morrill

Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator 

375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247 

Telephone: (413) 662-5103

Titleix@mcla.edu 



U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights  

33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424  

Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172  

OCR.Boston@ed.gov