ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the position description below carefully and review our application instructions. Be sure your application reflects experience and education to meet any minimum qualifications listed on the job description. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. More details about application requirements are found below.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

DESCRIPTION

The Secretary (12-month position) provides essential administrative support to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently. Reporting to the Manager, Indoor Environmental Quality, this role handles scheduling, recordkeeping, correspondence, and day-to-day office coordination. The Secretary serves as a key resource for staff, students, parents, and visitors, ensuring professional communication and excellent customer service. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, adaptable, and able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality in a fast-paced environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent (must scan and upload to the online application at the time of submission). Foreign credentials must be evaluated as U.S. High School diploma or above by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please click here.

Experience:

• Three years of general office experience of secretarial nature or an equivalent combination of education beyond high school and office experience totaling three (3) years.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• One (1) year of experience using Microsoft Outlook and Office (Excel, Word, Access, and Power Point)
• One (1) year of secretarial experience in a PreK-12 school system

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The list below is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

• Processes contractor invoices, comparing contract costs to invoices before approval, working with contractor billing to adjust invoices.
• Manages/organizes budget related information into a database, updating manager upon request on the Offices budget/spending.
• Assists in the management of environmental sampling data into a database, filling out and organizing paperwork for internal and external stakeholders.
• Writes documents/reports to include Board of Education memos.
• Other duties include coordination of shipping items, managing industrial hygiene equipment calibration, and assisting in the management/logistics of subcontractor deliveries.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

• Knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Knowledge of the use, operation, and care of computers and other office machines.
• Skilled in managing office operations and training other office personnel.
• Skilled in all aspects of word processing.
• Skills in making basic math computations quickly and accurately.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining efficient office procedures and tracking systems.
• Proficient in typing from rough draft and keyboarding at a moderate rate of speed.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral form.
• Ability to perform general clerical tasks quickly and accurately.
• Ability to coordinate daily activities and schedules.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in a variety of situations.
• Ability to remain calm under trying circumstances and work with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to maintain organizational systems needed at the school or department.
• Ability to meet timelines and perform multiple tasks.
• Ability to work harmoniously with individuals and groups of employees.
• Ability to accomplish work responsibilities with minimal supervision.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Hours

• The duty day for this position is 8.5 hours which will include a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free lunch period.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications will need to be submitted. Once you enter your credentials on your application, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and will not be considered. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation

This is a 12-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade IX on the Secretaries and Assistants salary scale. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers prior experience relevant. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.

Retirement

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.

Benefits                   

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors.

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact:     

Denise_Lee@hcpss.org   OR    recruitmentinquiries@hcpss.org

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.