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Nacac Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Admission Counselor

San Diego, CA · On-site

$40K - $55K/yr

WACAC, NACAC and the Regional Groups of NARAC. Manage/Provide Leadership for Collateral Responsibilities: Serve as Academic and/or Athletic Department Liaison or other duties as assigned. Assist with ...

Admission Counselor

San Diego, CA · On-site

$5.8K - $5.8K/mo

WACAC, NACAC and the Regional Groups of NARAC. Manage/Provide Leadership for Collateral Responsibilities: Serve as Academic and/or Athletic Department Liaison or other duties as assigned. Assist with ...

Nacac information

See California salary details

$8

$25

$60

How much do nacac jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for nacac in California is $25.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.83 and $30.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Nacac?

A NACAC job typically refers to a role associated with the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). This organization supports professionals in college admissions, counseling, and enrollment management. Jobs within NACAC may include positions in student advising, admissions counseling, financial aid guidance, or policy development. These roles aim to assist students in navigating the college application process. Employers hiring for NACAC-related roles include high schools, colleges, universities, and educational organizations.

What is NACAC and what do they do?

NACAC stands for the National Association for College Admission Counseling. It is a professional organization dedicated to supporting students transitioning from high school to postsecondary education, as well as the professionals who assist them, such as college counselors and admission officers. NACAC sets ethical standards for college admission processes, offers professional development, and advocates for policies that increase access to higher education. The organization also hosts events, like the annual NACAC National Conference and college fairs, to connect students with colleges and support networking among admission professionals.

What are some common challenges faced by admissions counselors working within the NACAC framework?

Admissions counselors who follow NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) guidelines often face challenges such as balancing ethical recruitment practices with enrollment goals and managing high volumes of prospective student inquiries during peak application seasons. Counselors must also stay updated on changing admission policies and maintain clear, timely communication with applicants and their families. Collaborating with various departments—such as financial aid, academic advising, and student services—is essential to provide holistic support to prospective students.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Nacac professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a college admission counselor, you need expertise in admissions processes, counseling techniques, and a relevant bachelor's degree, often with additional training in education or student services. Familiarity with admissions management systems, CRM software, and standardized test platforms is commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively with students and families distinguish top professionals in this field. These skills are essential for guiding students through complex application processes and supporting institutional enrollment goals.

What is the difference between Nacac vs College Counselor?

AspectNacacCollege Counselor
CredentialsMembership in Nacac, relevant counseling certificationsDegree in counseling, education, or related field; often certified
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, educational associations, college admissions officesHigh schools, colleges, private counseling practices
Industry UsageProfessional association for college admission counselingIndividual role providing college guidance to students
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding Nacac's role vs college counselingCareer options, job responsibilities, certifications

While Nacac is a professional association supporting college admission professionals, a college counselor is an individual who provides guidance to students on college selection and application processes. Nacac members often include college counselors, but the two terms refer to different concepts: one is an organization, the other a role.

What cities in California are hiring for Nacac jobs?

Cities in California with the most Nacac job openings:

Infographic showing various Nacac job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 70% Physical, and 30% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,653 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Admission Counselor

San Diego, CA • On-site


University of San Diego
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 501 - 1,000 employees

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

467th of 627 rated colleges and universities

People enjoy working here

Respectful managers

Uninterrupted breaks


$40K - $55K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Admission Counselor

Apply now Posting #: 5695
Position Status: Full-time regular
Location: San Diego
Position Type: Administrator, Office of Admissions

Position Title & Department:

 Admission Counselor; Undergraduate Admission Posting #

5695

Department Description: Undergraduate Admissions celebrates innovative thinkers who are determined to create lasting change. Our students and faculty members embrace change and relish being part of a globally-minded community of scholars. University Description:

The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:

This Admission Counselor position will assist with all aspects of the professional responsibilities of our office. General responsibilities will include: evaluating and making decisions on admission applications, assisting with the development of admission policies and procedures, managing and traveling in recruitment territories, counseling prospective students and families, planning and implementing special recruitment strategies, representing the University to high school counselors, alumni, and other external constituents; conducting appropriate follow-up via Zoom, phone, e-mail, and written correspondence to prospects, applicants, and school counselors; and assisting with the processing of applications for admission for freshman and transfer applications; and executing other admission responsibilities as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Evaluating/Making Admission & Scholarship Decision on Applications: 

Will participate in all aspects of the application review process which includes: calculating cumulative grade point average (GPA), analyzing the level of difficulty of courses taken by applicants, determining the level of competitiveness of school attended by applicants, and objectively quantifying applicants' essay, letters of recommendation and extra-curricular activities. Will also make decisions on whether to admit or deny applicants based on the applicants' individual profile, the overall (and individual school's) application pool and the applicants' potential contribution to the campus, and the mission of the University.  Finally, admission counselors will also decide which applicants will be awarded a merit scholarship and how much to award based on the above mentioned admission criteria.  Admission counselors will also communicate with families and school counselors throughout the process.

Counseling Students and Conducting Info Sessions:

Will counsel prospective students and families about admission, financial aid, academic, and community life programs, and student life at the University.  Conduct workshops to outreach groups (AVID, Upward Bound, CalSoap, etc.) assisting prospective students and their parents with general college planning and the higher education system.  Serve on panels to interpret and discuss admission practices/policies put forth by our governing organizations, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC). Will have regular responsibilities for meeting individually with families or counselors, while providing coverage as the "counselor of the day," and participating in all on campus recruitment events.

Territory Management/Recruitment Travel:

Will conduct presentations at visits to high schools, community colleges, CBOs, attend college night and fair programs, conduct interviews, meet with alums, and carry out other recruitment activities in designated recruitment territories. - - Territory manager will decide on which schools and community colleges to visit, fairs to attend, and cities to hold receptions in based on data gathered from school reports, past travel evaluation records, school profiles and consultations with other counselors.  Territory manager will also schedule and coordinate all visits, fairs and receptions.   Travel will last approximately three 4 months in the Fall and one 2  months in the Spring. Participate in regular professional development and networking opportunities: WACAC, NACAC and the Regional Groups of NARAC.

Manage/Provide Leadership for Collateral Responsibilities: 

Serve as Academic and/or Athletic Department Liaison or other duties as assigned.  Assist with advising transfer students and evaluating transfer applications.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

  • A valid driver's license

Special Conditions of Employment:

  • Extensive travel is required. Ability to travel (including air travel) for up to two (2) consecutive weeks: nights and weekends are required

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 

Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree with 1 year in college admission or relevant work experience (i.e. education, student leadership, public relations, sales/marketing, etc.) required
  • Ability to work independently without direct supervision
  • Excellent public speaking and interpersonal communication skills
  • Strong work ethic
  • Must feel comfortable in a team-oriented, collaborative work environment
  • Knowledge of and willingness to learn and work with technology; specifically word processing environments, internet navigation, databases, and e-mail correspondence
  • Knowledge of the University of San Diego and its programs
  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time
Posting Salary:

$5859-5860 per month; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:
Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.

 
Additional Details:

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Closing date: September 2, 2026

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

Advertised: August 19, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: September 02, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

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