Lower School Admissions Associate

Oregon Episcopal School seeks an Admissions Associate - Lower School to begin duties in August 2026.

OUR MISSION: Oregon Episcopal School educates students to realize their power for good as engaged citizens of the world.

ABOUT US: Founded in 1869, Oregon Episcopal School today occupies a wooded 59 acre campus where 880 students in Pre-K through 12th Grade share an excellent faculty, an inquiry based curriculum, and a strong sense of community. The Upper School also includes a small boarding program of international and domestic students who live and learn together enhancing the vibrancy of the school community.

The School values employees who seek to continually develop the OES Essential Competencies in themselves and others and are prepared to engage in a vibrant, diverse learning community. Committed to the professional development of our faculty, teachers are guided by the Learning and Teaching at OES faculty growth model.

As an Episcopal school, we are rooted in a rhythm of gathering and reflection that values and respects all beliefs and cultures. As such, we educate toward a larger purpose - toward inclusion and respect, service and justice and commitment beyond ourselves.

JOB SUMMARY:

The admissions associate for Lower School (LS) plays a key role on the enrollment team as it supports the mission and overall strategic objectives of OES. The admissions staff works to fully enroll students while maintaining class compositions that demonstrate cultural, geographic, economic, gender, religious, racial and ethnic diversity. This individual demonstrates a thorough understanding of the recruitment and enrollment process by participating in all aspects of the admissions process, and through building strong, positive relationships within the OES community, with applicants, and their families. The admissions associate for Lower School works closely with the Assistant Head of School for Strategic Enrollment to develop and implement strategies for successfully attaining enrollment goals. The successful associate will be flexible and conscientious, possess excellent cross-cultural communication skills, and continually keep equity and justice issues at the forefront of their work. This role requires occasional evening and weekend responsibilities, amounting to approximately eight weekend days (ranging from 2-6 hours on campus per weekend commitment) and five evenings throughout the course of the admissions cycle. All weekend and evening responsibilities will be on the associate's calendar well in advance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Recruitment

• Collaborate with enrollment team to set annual recruitment goals and schedule
• Independently source, recruit, screen, and recommend students for admission
• Support colleagues in producing outreach material including, but not limited to, paper, electronic, and video deliverables
• Travel locally to recruit applicants, promote events, and develop relationships with Portland-area preschool and childcare centers
• Attend and exhibit at recruitment fairs and related events
• Speak publicly to recruit new families
• Develop relationships with a network of sources in order to encourage referrals of qualified, mission-appropriate student applicants
• Manage each component of the Lower School admissions process. This includes, but is not limited to parent tours, student visitor program, parent interviews, applicant assessment, and application file review
• Actively build and maintain relationships with prospective families through consistent and regular communication, via emails, phone calls and Zoom meetings
• Participate in the planning, organization, and implementation of admissions events such as open houses, OES Showcase, welcome celebration, new student social, new and prospective family playdates, and other related events, including recruiting and managing current Lower School student and parent ambassadors

Community

• Facilitate regular meetings with the Lower School division head, assistant head of beginning years and assistant head of intermediate years; serve as main liaison between admissions and Lower School
• Stay abreast of Lower School curriculum, events, issues, etc. by attending Lower School faculty meetings as necessary
• Build and maintain positive relationships with Lower School faculty and staff; regularly visit various Lower School classes
• Maintain a visible presence in the Lower School community. Examples include attending gathering, chapel, performances, and division-specific events
• Be familiar with Middle School and Upper School programs in order to articulate the value of an OES education at any level, while being particularly attuned to the Lower School's role in advancing all-school vision and goals
• Participate in school-sponsored equity and justice workshops and learning opportunities
• Engage with other admissions professionals through local, regional, and national conferences, seminars, and workshops

Enrollment

• Achieve full enrollment of the Lower School program with qualified, mission-aligned students
• Know and advocate appropriately for each applicant to the Lower School
• Manage and train the Lower School admissions committee
• Maintain, read, and prepare all applicant files and related material for the Lower School admissions committee
• Facilitate ratings and decisions meetings
• Maintain waitpool
• Participate in class placement meetings
• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and equivalent combination of training and experience
• Three to five years' experience working in admissions or similar activities, e.g. teaching, professional recruitment, non-profit work
• Intercultural competence, ability to work with sensitivity and effectiveness with students, families, colleagues of diverse backgrounds and identities, demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion for people of all backgrounds and identities
• Digital literacy; intermediate to advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Docs/Sheets and other web-based applications; database and cloud storage solutions, such as Google Drive, ability to troubleshoot common hardware and software issues, and good understanding of data privacy principles, particularly in safeguarding student data and personal information.
• Video-conferencing experience, as appropriate to job duties; flexibility and willingness to learn as digital tools evolve
• Ability to pass a criminal background check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Advanced degree
• Experience in a school setting, especially in an admissions office
• Familiarity with independent schools
• Experience working with preschool and/or elementary aged children and families
• Experience and familiarity working within a database system
• Fluency in one or more language in addition to English

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Verbal and written communication skills, ability to manage confidential information in compliance with the law and best practice
• Ability to consistently apply principles of equity and inclusion in day to day work and in the broader workplace community
• Ability to work well with internal constituents as well as the global public
• Organizational skills: ability to manage competing deadlines and prioritize work appropriately, accuracy and attention to detail, demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
• Interpersonal skills: enthusiasm for team work, ability to maintain collegial relationships with colleagues, warm, welcoming demeanor when dealing with prospective families and the public
• Ability to exercise a high degree of discretion in handling sensitive or confidential information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit at computer and keyboard for moderate periods
• Mobility sufficient to move about the campus, to include climbing stairs
• Sight and hearing adequate to perform the duties of the job, ability to communicate clearly
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis

SALARY: This is a year-round position that comes with a competitive salary based on degrees and experience, abundant professional development opportunities, and a generous benefits package.

Job descriptions are reviewed periodically and changes made based on the needs of the school and the position.

Oregon Episcopal School does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including gender identity or expression), disability, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristic or status.