The Oxbow School

Assistant Director of Admissions

The Oxbow School seeks to hire a dynamic, collaborative, forward-thinking assistant admissions director. The ideal candidate possesses experience working in admissions, preferably at an arts focused organization.

The Oxbow School is a one-semester visual arts program for sophomores, juniors, seniors, and gap semester students from public and independent high-schools nationwide. The school offers forty-two students a unique educational experience focused on the in-depth study and practice of the visual arts. The four month program encourages motivated students to pursue a serious interest in art while meeting and furthering their high school diploma requirements. The goal is not to produce career artists, but to empower students to see with clarity and engage in mindful critical inquiry to become active participants in the world. Through work in the studio, trips to museums and galleries, and projects with visiting artists in residence, Oxbow provides students with direct exposure to the richness and diversity of contemporary art and culture. The Oxbow School is founded on the belief that engagement with the arts fosters and supports flexible thinking skills, and that creative thinking is particularly valuable for students in today's increasingly complex global community. Located at the oxbow of the Napa River in Napa, California, the pedagogical approach at Oxbow includes team-teaching and interdisciplinary connections. To learn more, please visit our website here.

POSITION

The Admissions Assistant Director is responsible for all administrative and support aspects of admissions activities. The Admissions Assistant Director provides support to the administrative team. Working alongside the Director of Admissions, the Assistant Director is expected to provide outstanding customer service to prospective applicant families and school community members via in-person, telephone, and electronic communications. The Assistant Director is expected to respond to frequently asked questions about the school and inquiries while maintaining data (applications, inquiries, enrolled student material, final transcripts, and social media posts). Working with the Director of Admissions, the Assistant Director will plan and execute recruitment trips and professionally represent the school at all times. Occasional off-hour attendance and assistance in support of admissions related events will be necessary.

Start Date: July 1, 2024

Job Classification: This is a full-time salaried position that includes: health insurance, dental, vision, and paid time off.

Reporting structure: This position reports to the Director of Admissions and Head of School

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications and Data Entry

• Responds to internal and external stakeholders by email, phone, and newsletters
• Make database notes in recruitment including: inquiries, applicants, contacts, and schools/organizations
• Track summer and semester inquiries
• Update “Target List” of yearly visits and contacts
• Working knowledge of Salesforce or database entry a plus
• Manage the school’s social media accounts (oversee weekly postings to Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok 2x/week minimum); partner with the Director of Advancement and Communications re: marketing + recruitment
• Collaborate with Director of Admissions to write a byline for quarterly edition of OxTales (promote admissions + student and alumni features)
• Update database from email blasts and returns

Travel

• Schedule appointments with teachers and administrators at schools, colleges, and other like-minded organizations; maintain a dynamic relationship and reestablish former relationships when necessary
• Find new contacts; identify new organizations/schools to partner with (Example: Utilize “Teacher Recommenders” from the admissions application to foster new relationships)
• Plan and execute local + national recruitment travel; book all necessary hotels and flights
• Complete event evaluations for each site visit; follow up with students/ educators who expressed interest during the visit
• Research new events and programs to visit; target youth centers, LGBTQIA+ programs, afterschool programs, teen centers at art museums

Admissions Files

• Build files for all incoming applicants
• Create list of scholarship candidates for Development Director
• Process, organize, and make digital files for admissions and administrative materials; remind applicants where they are in the admissions process
• Process, organize, and review “Welcome Packet” forms for enrolled students
• Make database notes to track contact and actions
• Manage mailing materials to prospective students and schools
• Email and archive digital “Accept Packets”
• Email and archive digital final transcripts
• Maintain correspondence with enrolled students’ recommenders + school administrators
• Scan archived materials into digital files (ongoing project during “downtime”)

Campus Tours

• Provides campus tours to the public and prospective students/families

Miscellaneous

• Assist with events and office tasks as needed
• Process incoming mail
• Monitor the main office telephone line

CORE QUALITIES

• Demonstrate a passion for providing an equitable arts education for adolescents
• Promote responsible citizenship and respect for diversity, inclusion, equity, and differences
• Possess a positive outlook on the world
• Desire to contribute to something larger than oneself and have a deep-seated belief in the power of teamwork
• Committed to life-long learning and modeling growth mindsets
• Comfortable with ambiguity and flexible thinking
• Sensitive and responsive to community needs, concerns, and passions
• Thrives on creative problem-solving and collaboration
• Interest in building authentic relationships with external constituencies
• Strong work ethic
• Attention to detail and highly organized
• Comfortable speaking with a range of stakeholders (trustees, staff, faculty, parents, students, administrators, etc.)

Salary range: $60,000-$70,000 depending on experience

Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter to Jason Tucker, Director of Admissions, at: jason@oxbowschool.org. No phone calls please.

The Oxbow School is an equal opportunity employer.