Admissions Counselor

Join Team NCSSM at the #1 rated Best Public High School in America for 2025

POSITION TYPE: 12 Month, EHRA Exempt Professional Staff, FLSA Exempt, 1.0 FTE

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $49,403.00 Annually

Under the supervision of the Director of Admissions, the Admissions Counselor NCSSM-Morganton will be responsible for recruiting, identifying, and selecting middle and high school students who are highly talented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) from across North Carolina.

Additionally, this position will serve as an intricate part of the team on special event days by contributing to all aspects of planning, including preparing packets, setting up registration, ensuring classroom space is available, signage is posted throughout the campus, and other logistical tasks to ensure the event is successful.

Recruitment and Travel

Collaborate with the Associate Director for Recruitment (Durham) to utilize data and other instruments for scheduling and conducting NCSSM admissions presentations in targeted areas focusing on areas where NCSSM presence is needed; research student, alumni, and parent contacts that possibly yield presentations and webinars; coordinate day, evening, and weekend presentations to promote the distinctive programs (Online, Residential, Summer Ventures, NCSSM Connect) offered at NCSSM; ensure that recruitment strategies align with the set goals for the UNC System and NCSSM; and at all times, execute a high level of customer service when communicating with prospective students, families, and constituents.

Communications

Coordinate with the leadership team to raise awareness of new developments or edits to recruitment materials and messaging for prospective students and families. Review and edit admissions communication to disseminate on/off-campus publications, postcards, etc. Manage customer relations by answering and initiating phones and emails to prospective families. Assist the Associate Directors in facilitating a calling campaign throughout the application process.

Retention

Assist the Morganton Associate Director in planning and meeting quarterly with current NCSSM students in the residential and online programs. Listen and assist students with navigating NCSSM and direct them to the appropriate department or resources to resolve or present issues impacting their experience. Contribute to planning yearly activities, including securing speakers, field trips, logistics, etc.

Counseling

Advise, support, and provide guidance to prospective families on how to complete and prepare for a competitive application and enrollment process; work with families that may have extenuating circumstances and special needs throughout the application process; provide insight on issues concerning targeted demographic populations; assist non-finalist families with understanding areas of strength and improvement for future college and scholarship opportunities; serve as a resource to families in the state regarding educational enrichment opportunities available.

Events

Contribute to the logistics of all NCSSM-Morganton Admissions events, work with staff members to ensure all logistics (parking, setup, etc.) are executed efficiently and effectively, and assist students and families with providing accurate information about NCSSM-Morganton events.

Application Review and Processing

Responsible for collecting, reviewing, and evaluating credentials and documents to determine an applicant's admissibility, assist the Admissions team in reviewing and determining extenuating circumstances, transcripts validity, and congressional districts are accurate.

• Experience in using data to aid in the recruitment of a diverse student population

• Ability to present to small and large diverse audiences
• Manage and monitor on-site admissions materials to ensure inventory levels are maintained
• Flexibility to travel 6-8 weeks, work evenings and weekends, and occasional overnight hotel lodging
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and consulting skills
• Ability to manage students and execute directives clearly and concisely.

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a major in Education, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Student Services, or related fields. Master's degree preferred.

Preference will be given to candidates with at least one year of college admissions experience.

When applying, please include a cover letter, resume, and at least three references.

Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and no serious driving-related convictions.

This position requires 30% of travel within the State of NC.

Some nights and weekends are required.

Team NCSSM Benefits

Free On-campus Parking

Vacation and Personal Leave: Varied based on classification. SHRA and Faculty positions earn from 14 days to 26 days per year based on years of state service. EHRA SAAO and EHRA EPS (Exempt Professional Staff) receive 26 days per year. Leave accruals for part-time and less than 12 month employees are pro-rated.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year. Leave accruals for part-time and less than 12-month employees are pro-rated.

Additional Leave: Family Medical Leave (FMLA), Paid Parental Leave (PPL), Civil Leave, Personal Observance Day, Extended Illness, Short/Long Term Disability, Family Illness Leave, Military Leave, Community Service Leave, Voluntary Shared Leave, and Leave Without Pay.

Holidays: 12 days per year

Benefits: The University System offers eligible employees a flexible and comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to University-provided group life insurance, various retirement savings options, group health plan coverage, dental, vision, critical illness, cancer, flexible spending accounts, accident, disability coverage, educational assistance, and more. These programs can help employees achieve retirement savings and career goals, as well as assistance with meeting everyday health and educational needs. The benefits programs are designed for employees to tailor a benefits package that best meets their needs.

Health Insurance: Employee only coverage under the State Health Plan (PPO) is provided to employees that work 30 or more hours a week. The cost is determined by the type of coverage elected by the employee. Dependent coverage is available by payroll deduction.

Retirement: Required participation for all employees working 3/4 time or more. Option (1) Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees are vested for retirement after 5 years. Option (2) The Optional Retirement Program (ORP) requires 6% of gross salary. Employees in ORP are vested after 5 years of participating in ORP. As a participant in either retirement program, you are automatically covered for short-term disability (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost), long long-term disability (eligible after 5 years of service/no cost). Death benefit of minimum $25,000/maximum $50,000 based on previous 12-month salary (eligible after 1 year of service/no cost).

Supplemental Retirement Plans: Supplemental retirement plans provide an additional opportunity to help you reach your retirement goals. Supplemental Plan offerings such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) on a Roth (after-tax) or pre-tax contributions.

Tuition Waiver: Three courses per academic year tuition-free (at any of UNC's 17 campuses that offer courses) for permanent full-time employees.

State Employees Credit Union: Membership welcomed. Contact the SECU Credit Union for information.

Community Service: 24 hours leave credited each calendar year (prorated for part-time) unless you choose the Mentoring/ tutoring option - 1 hour each week up to a max of 36 hours that schools are in session as documented by the elected board of the local education agency or the governing authority of any non-public school.

Facilities: Library & Gymnasium - other athletic facilities available at no cost to employees. Cafeteria on site.

About NCSSM:

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) is a world-class public high school with statewide reach, empowering academically talented students from diverse backgrounds from every corner of the state to design their future. We offer residential high school programs in Durham and Morganton for juniors and seniors or virtual high school courses and programs that students can take alongside their local curriculum, all tuition-free. Our wide array of summer offerings for rising 5th- through 12th-graders includes free opportunities for in-state students alongside paid options for students from anywhere in the world. NCSSM Extended Learning partners with communities and regions to advance student learning and outcomes.

Specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math and embracing the fine arts and humanities, NCSSM has become the model for 18 such specialized schools around the globe since its founding in 1980 and is a full constituent of the University of North Carolina System. NCSSM's Ignite + Transform comprehensive campaign seeks to raise $50 million in private support for our mission.

The new NCSSM-Morganton campus opened in 2022 for summer programs and its first fall academic term. NCSSM-Morganton focuses on the booming fields of data science and artificial intelligence, preparing the leaders of tomorrow to navigate a future driven by data and machine learning, with emphasis on the humanistic implications and ethical use of these tools.

Nearly two-thirds of NCSSM graduates earn a bachelor's degree in a STEM field -- over three times the national average, including 58 percent of our underrepresented minority graduates, which is nearly four times the national average. Nearly three-quarters have earned or are seeking a graduate degree. A 2020 economic impact study found that 54 percent of our alumni continue to live and work in North Carolina, catalyzing nearly $1.3 billion in annual economic activity. NCSSM values the diversity in our student body, and all members of the NCSSM community are expected to foster a safe environment of respect and inclusion for all faculty, staff, and students.

For more information, please read the NCSSM strategic plan and visit ncssm.edu.

How to Apply:

Submit electronic application via: .Admissions Counselor

Please complete your application in full. All required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear on the application in the Education and Work Experience sections of the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the State Application form in its entirety. "See Attached Resume or an Embedded Text Resume" will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If applicants are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least six years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22 along with their state application.

Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require a motor vehicle check. If the highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree equivalency verified at www.wes.org or equivalent service. NCSSM participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Please refrain from submitting multiple applications. However, if multiple applications are submitted to a posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be accepted. There is a 24 hour waiting period before an applicant can re-apply to a position.

If you have questions, please contact Chadwick Bartee at Chadwick.Bartee@NCSSM.EDU