Description
POSITION SUMMARY & IMPACT
The Course Advisor provides an essential role within the Student Services Department to assist customers with course selection, convert inquiries to enrollments, and prepare all incoming students for their Outward Bound experience. This person also provides information to Course Directors for students arriving on upcoming courses. This position is responsible for tracking enrolled students, managing receipt of their application materials, and reviewing medical forms and questionnaires submitted by the applicant to assess psychological, behavioral and physical appropriateness for courses located in Minnesota.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Provide Excellent Customer Service
• Answer incoming phone calls. Respond to voicemails and emails from prospective students in a timely and professional manner.
• Be knowledgeable and accurate about available courses and the associated requirements. Assist with course selection and enroll applicants in courses.
• Execute highly accurate data entry in accordance with Voyageur Outward Bound School enrollment procedures.
• Proactively direct customers to courses in need to meet departmental goals and objectives.
• Provide superior, friendly, responsive, and informative customer service to enrolled students and their parents. Help students understand mental and physical readiness to complete an Outward Bound course.
Student Enrollment Management
• Manage and respond promptly to daily calls, emails, and texts from enrolled students to support Student Services enrollment goals and deadlines.
• Process payments, transfers, cancellations, and refunds accurately while maintaining up-to-date records in the database.
Application Review & Screening
• Assess applicants’ psychological, behavioral, motivational, and physical readiness for an Outward Bound course using provided Essential Eligibility Criteria and screening tools.
• Conduct follow-up with students, parents, medical providers, and/or therapists as needed to ensure accurate applicant assessment/appropriateness for an Outward Bound course.
• Consult with the Director of Student Services and Outward Bound consulting physicians when additional expertise is required.
• Approve or decline applications promptly and professionally.
Course Enrollment Management
• Monitor course enrollment details, compile applicant information, and track age and gender balance.
• Communicate with enrolled students and the Director of Student Services as needed regarding potential issues with age or gender spread.
• Ensure invoices are paid on time and manage payment tracking for each course.
• Keep the Director of Student Services informed about under-enrolled courses.
• Prepare and summarize student information for Course Directors and Instructors prior to course planning and provide briefings as needed.
Other Duties as Assigned
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
• Collaboration - Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds to effectively meet shared objectives, while encouraging the open expression of a diversity of ideas and opinions.
• Communication - Ability to clearly convey ideas, facts and information in a variety of settings using different mediums, while encouraging the open expression of a diversity of ideas and opinions.
• Instills Trust - The ability to gain the confidence and trust of people from varying backgrounds and lived experiences through honesty, integrity, authenticity, and consistency between words and actions.
• Cultural Competence -The ability to recognize and appreciate patterns of cultural differences and commonalities and to shift cultural perspective and change behavior in culturally appropriate and authentic ways.
• Manages Complexity - The ability to make sense of complicated information to effectively solve problems.
• Accountability - The ability to hold self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely and cost effective results.
• Interpersonal Relationships - The ability to treat others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect while considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
Skills
• Self Management - The ability to set well-defined and realistic personal goals, take on and complete tasks in a timely manner, and complete work with an appropriate level of supervision.
• Situational Adaptability - The ability to modify approach and demeanor in real time to align with the shifting demands of different situations. The ability to "read the room" and adjust accordingly.
• Project Management - The ability to employ principles, methods, and tools for developing, scheduling, coordinating, and managing projects and resources, including monitoring work, performance and deadlines.
• Administrative Skills - Proficient computer/software skills and administrative skills (including Google suite, Office suite, Salesforce).
Other Requirements
• Preference for experience in outdoor/experiential education, youth development, or similar educational field; specific knowledge of Outward Bound's philosophies and programs, experiential education, focus on social and emotional learning skills and an ability to disseminate this information to varied audiences is a plus.
• Preference for a background in a medical and/or mental-health related field.
• Preference for sales experience selling experience based products.
• Preference for experience working with students or families in a formal education or community setting.
WORK CONDITIONS / LOCATION
• Remote work available for people in MN, WI, & CO.
• Work requires the ability to operate standard office equipment.
• Limited weekends or evenings may be required.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Willingness and ability to work a non-standard, flexible schedule.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to stand, sit, kneel, operate a computer, telephone and keyboard for prolonged periods of time (80% or greater).
• Must occasionally be able to lift or carry up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• Ability to communicate and exchange ideas with others accurately and concisely.
• Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
Compensation And Benefits
• This is a seasonal (4 month), hourly, non-exempt position with a pay range of $19.00–$23.00 per hour.
• Expected start date is April 1. Expected end fate is July 31.
• The anticipated schedule is approximately 30 hours per week, with peak enrollment periods potentially requiring up to 40 hours per week for short durations (typically 1–3 weeks, most likely in July).
• VOBS offers sick leave and a 403(b) retirement plan with 2% match.
• Eligible for MN Paid Leave, once eligibility criteria are met.
• Access to pro-deals (the opportunity to purchase outdoor gear at discounted rates) and access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
In the interest of transparency and pay equity across our team, a candidate with the minimum experience can expect to be offered in the lower half of the range.