Admissions Officer

Overview

The Admissions Officer is one of a team of such positions responsible for the processing of all non-Ontario secondary school, out-of-province and international applications for undergraduate studies. The Officer aids in the Ontario Secondary School applications, recruitment activities and offer processing. The Officer acts as a liaison for the Registrar’s Office while providing specialized knowledge of admissions and related operations to the Faculties through the appropriate Admissions Committee. The incumbent has direct impact on the university’s success, reputation, mandate and successful implementation of enrolment targets. The mission critical work done in this position has a direct effect on Waterloo’s ability to meet enrolment targets, and in turn, the University and Faculties’ budget. The incumbent works as a member of the Faculty Admissions Committee and with the Faculty, University Colleges’ and Registrar’s Office recruitment specialists. The incumbent is accountable for decisions which commit the University to a binding agreement of admission. The incumbent is required to oversee and maintain consistent and equitable assessment and decision making. The incumbent is accountable for the application of constructive, critical and independent unbiased judgment and must recognize the need for departures from established policies and procedures and the ability to deal with such appropriately. The incumbent undertakes research and provides critical recommendations for progressive improvements in policies, regulations, and procedures necessary to meet both an informed and assertive society in a competitive academic environment.

Responsibilities

Assess Applications & Communicate with Applicants

• The Officer determines eligibility for consideration which includes the assessment of complicated and diverse education backgrounds from education systems worldwide
• Responds to inquiries from applicants, their family and campus clients, regularly and builds individual connections with applicants. Responsible to communicate both positive and negative decisions
• Presents special cases for consideration by Faculty Admissions Committees
• Ensures accuracy and consistency in assessment processes
• Determines admissions conditions, scholarship levels and transfer credits as appropriate to each individual application. Develops highly specialized communications for segmented audiences and individuals. Trains new Admissions Officers and assists with training of other Admissions and Recruitment staff

Research & Policy Development

• Provides reports, research, historical analysis and identifies trends internal to Waterloo, system wide in Ontario, Canada and internationally
• Tracks details on applicant pool during and after an admissions cycle. To inform future admissions policy changes, undertakes activities to assess validity, equity and transferability of secondary and post-secondary credentials of educational and English language credentials from systems in Ontario, other regions of Canada and other Countries
• Defines project goals, activities, timelines, deadlines, deliverables and accountabilities
• Anticipates the impact of policy driven changes and external factors. Challenges policy, identifies and provides viable solutions for consideration
• Recommends appropriate course of action
• The Officer presents research findings, progress reports and recommendations for policy and procedural changes to committees in the Registrar’s Office and in the Faculties

Recruitment and Admissions Activities

• The Officer represents their faculty at recruitment events responding to detailed questions about admissibility and admissions requirements applied to individual, and routinely complicated cases. Assists clients with understanding and interpretation of admissions requirements. Explores and addresses the unidentified, underlying and long-term stakeholder needs. Edits admissions content in recruitment publications. Assists with recommendations for and testing of systems changes. Contributes to the activities involved in Registrar’s Office led events such as convocation and examinations

Provides guidance, training and framework for research projects

• Provides input to the Manager Admissions for Admissions Co-ordinators and student appraisals

Qualifications

• University degree or suitable equivalent experience required, preferably from the University of Waterloo
• Knowledge of University of Waterloo and Faculty policies and practices with respect to admissions and recruitment is essential
• A strong preference will be given to candidates with comprehensive knowledge of and experience with Canadian and international education systems and curricula required to support achieving the university’s ambitious domestic and international enrolment goals
• Aptitude for and experience in conducting research and report writing is required
• Strong analytical abilities are essential
• Exceptional oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational, and customer service abilities are essential requirements as well as the ability to manage concurrent projects and deadlines
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Word, Excel and Access is required
• Knowledge and experience with computer-assisted admissions systems and record-keeping required
• Comprehensive understanding of and experience in implementing enrolment management (marketing) principles and practices specifically related to non-OSS (non-Ontario Secondary School) undergraduate student recruitment and admissions is desirable

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

Read Full Description