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Admissions Specialist Position Open in the Graduate School

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The Graduate School’s Office of Graduate Admissions invites applications for the position of Graduate Admissions Specialist.

Read more and apply

Duties and Responsibilities

The Graduate Admissions Specialist supports efforts to admit and enroll graduate students. The Graduate Admissions Specialist performs functions associated with application to the Graduate School, from the point of application until all admission requirements are met or the application is otherwise finalized. The person in this position works with a diverse applicant pool, including U.S. citizens, internationals, current graduate students seeking to change or add to the programs of study, and/or previous graduate students seeking to be readmitted to the Graduate School. The person in this position works to resolve applicant issues that may be encountered during and related to the admissions process.

All applicants must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to listen effectively. They must possess excellent customer service skills, and thrive in a team-oriented setting. Applicants must be able to effectively problem solve and make decisions based on policy. They must be able to assimilate information from diverse resources in order to make informed decisions. The applicant must be able to effectively manage work responsibilities, establish priorities, and accurately record, proof, and compare data. They must be able to utilize general office equipment, computers, and computer software including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases (such as Microsoft Office). They must be able to manage data, communication, storage & retrieval, and also be able to read, interpret, and apply policies and practices in the work setting.

Specific duties will include but are not limited to:

  • participating in tasks that prepare the office for a new admission cycle;
  • communicating status updates within area of responsibility to departmental administrators through the use of the CRM and other reporting functions;
  • tracking all contacts and outreach/communication with students and stakeholders in the CRM;
  • reviewing applications to determine if files are complete and ready for department/further review based on policies and requirements for admission
  • receiving, processing, and uploading documents to the CRM; requesting additional documentation as necessary, and problem-solving to aid in the completion of applications while adhering to data integrity and utilization practices.
  • proactively monitoring the department review progress to ensure files are acted upon in a timely manner and decisions are provided to the applicant.
  • serving as a main point of contact for prospects, applicants, and internal/external stakeholders on various reviews and inquiries (such as exception requests, immigration processes, etc.), and assisting in any facet related to graduate admissions (such as prospect/program information, application process/management, and onboarding/matriculation, etc.)
  • meeting with appropriate academic program faculty and/or staff on a regular basis regarding admission procedures; train program staff on graduate admissions policies, processes, and CRM operations and functionalities.
  • participating in professional development opportunities related to the position or the overall mission/goals of the Graduate School and university.  Assisting with the training of new office staff; creating and updating operations manual/office procedures for your area.
  • serving on work-related committees;
  • providing cross-functional office coverage and backup as needed;
  • performing other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Applicants are required to have earned a high school diploma and have worked in an office or other environment in which they have experience providing customer service, contributing to problem resolution efforts, working with computers and software such as Microsoft Office, performing tasks that require a high level of accuracy, and working collaboratively with other employees.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

The preferred applicant will have met the required qualifications and have earned a bachelor’s degree (or higher). They will have worked in a higher education admissions setting in which they have experience reviewing applicant files, working in admissions databases and student information systems within a team-oriented environment, and providing customer service to applicants (including assistance resolving admission related issues). The preferred candidate will have a working knowledge of higher education admission processes, as well as the ability to perform functions and analyze data utilizing admission databases, student information systems, and reporting tools. They will have the ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with diverse audiences represented in a higher education setting.

Additional information is available on the websites of the university at www.utk.edu and the Graduate School at gradschool.utk.edu.

Applications should be submitted electronically through Human Resources and attach:

  • a cover letter of interest addressing qualifications;
  • a resume or curriculum vitae; and
  • the names of three to five references with their contact information (addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses).

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the search may be directed to:

Mrs. Millie Cheatham, Graduate School Office Manager
865-974-0818
mcheatha@utk.edu

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.

In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN  37996-3560, telephone (865) 974-2498.  Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.