Enrollment Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Who We Are:

The Dayton Early College Academy (DECA) is an award-winning, high performing network of charter schools located in Dayton, Ohio. Serving grades K-12, DECA’s three campuses are singularly focused on helping children from the city of Dayton gain the skills they need to be successful in college and beyond. 

Mission:

We prepare future college graduates today to become the leaders of our community tomorrow.

Core Values:

1. Put students first;
2. Demand success;
3. Invest deeply in relationships;
4. Do what’s right;
5. Prove education changes lives;
6. Find joy.

Our Students and Results:

We serve students in grades K-12 in the Dayton Public School area; academic proficiency is not considered during the admissions process. Admission is first come, first served. 

• 94% of our students are African-American and 72% are economically disadvantaged;
• Over 80% of our students will be first in their family to go to college;
• DECA is committed to providing a rigorous and engaging academic curriculum;
• Our campuses foster an awareness of social justice issues; 
• Strong community partnerships are at the core of our success;
• DECA alumni graduate from college at a rate nearly 5 times the national average for first generation college students and on par with their suburban counterparts.

Successful Applicants:

• Are developing and practicing cultural competence in their teaching, teamwork, and leadership;
• Build relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community;
• Provide, seek, and act on feedback;
• Live our Core Values.

Job Summary:

The Enrollment Specialist is responsible for driving student recruitment, managing the enrollment process, and leading strategic efforts to meet and exceed enrollment growth goals for DECA. This role requires a highly motivated, relationship-driven professional who is comfortable working both strategically and in the field. The Enrollment Specialist will lead outreach initiatives, cultivate community partnerships, oversee the Parent Enrollment Ambassador program, and ensure a seamless and welcoming enrollment experience for prospective students and families. This position requires a “boots on the ground” approach, including active participation in community events, direct outreach, and hands-on recruitment efforts. This position reports to the Director of Strategic Initiatives.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in education, communications, marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Demonstrated ability to meet targets or performance goals
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Comfort with field-based work, including door-to-door outreach and event-based recruitment
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Preferred

• Experience in K–12 education, charter schools, or school enrollment
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities
• Familiarity with CRM systems or enrollment tracking tools
• 2+ years of experience in recruitment, enrollment, sales, community outreach, or related roles

Duties/Responsibilities:

Enrollment Strategy & Growth

• Develop and execute strategic recruitment plans to meet DECA’s enrollment growth goals
• Analyze enrollment data and trends to inform outreach strategies
• Collaborate with leadership to set enrollment targets and benchmarks
• Track and report on recruitment progress and outcomes

Student & Family Recruitment

• Serve as a primary ambassador for DECA in the community
• Conduct outreach through partnerships with preschools, childcare centers, and community organizations
• Represent DECA at community events, fairs, and informational sessions
• Organize and lead school tours, open houses, and enrollment events
• Conduct door-to-door outreach and grassroots recruitment efforts as needed
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective families throughout the enrollment process

Enrollment Process Management

• Oversee the full enrollment lifecycle from initial inquiry through registration and onboarding
• Ensure a smooth, responsive, and family-friendly enrollment experience
• Maintain accurate enrollment records and databases
• Support families in completing applications and required documentation
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure enrollment readiness and student onboarding

Parent Enrollment Ambassador Program

• Design, implement, and oversee the Parent Enrollment Ambassador program
• Recruit, train, and support parent ambassadors to assist in outreach and recruitment efforts
• Empower ambassadors to share their experiences and promote DECA within the community
• Coordinate ambassador participation in events, referrals, and community engagement activities
• Monitor program effectiveness and continuously improve engagement strategies

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Coordinate with campus administrative assistants to ensure a smooth enrollment process for families
• Foster a culture of customer service, responsiveness, and results-driven performance
• Collaborate with school leadership, marketing, and operations teams
• Provide training and guidance on enrollment best practices

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and sustain partnerships with local organizations, early childhood centers, and community leaders
• Identify new opportunities for outreach and collaboration
• Represent DECA in a professional and mission-aligned manner at all times

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with marketing campaigns and promotional efforts as needed
• Stay informed on enrollment trends, best practices, and community needs
• Perform other duties as assigned to support enrollment goals and organizational priorities

Terms of Employment:

• 260 days
• Salary to be determined based on experience and education level.
• All staff members are issued one-year contracts.

Working Environment:

Workplace locations include:

• School, activity center, outdoor play areas;
• Retreat/field sites; and
• Other environments as deemed necessary/appropriate.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of his/her job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and/or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

Additional Working Conditions:

• The noise level in this work environment is quiet to loud depending on the activity and location.
• Working conditions for this job include (1) possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and tissue; and (2) occasional operation of a motor vehicle to transport students.
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

The information in this job description is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for the position. Additional duties performed by individuals currently holding the position and additional duties may be assigned.

This position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.