Job Description

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 job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.

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:

06-29-2026

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

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on June 28, 2026 and applications will be screened and evaluated in the order they are submitted. Interviews for best qualified candidates are anticipated to occur between July 1 and July 7.

Under the direction of the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, the Coordinator of Advanced Academic Programs provides leadership to ensure equitable access to high-quality advanced learning opportunities for PreK-12 students. The Coordinator oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of HCPSS Advanced Academic Programs in alignment with system priorities and COMAR 13A.04.07 (Gifted and Talented Education). The Coordinator leads the implementation of universal screening, differentiated services, data collection and analysis, and professional learning to support advanced learners. Through collaboration with schools, central offices, and community partners, the Coordinator promotes access to talent development opportunities and ensures the delivery of differentiated instruction and services within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Education:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in education, curriculum and instruction, or a closely related field.

Certification/Licensure:

• Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional certificate or license in an MSDE licensure area at the time of application with any of the additional endorsements below:
  • Administrator I or II
  • Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals

Applicants who do not already possess the required licensure above may be considered if you are eligible through one of the pathways below:

• Hold a current MSDE professional certificate or license and complete all MSDE requirements for the Supervisors of Instruction, Assistant Principals, and Principals endorsement by the position effective date.
• Have completed a Maryland Approved Program which leads to licensure as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal or principal by the position effective date.

• Have completed an approved out-of-State program which leads to licensure as a supervisor of instruction, assistant principal, or principal and includes a supervised clinical practicum and earn passing score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Praxis 6990) by the position effective date.
• Hold a valid professional state license in administration from another state or country and have verification of five years of effective performance as an administrator in a PreK-12 school setting.

Out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the application process for educator licensure with the Maryland State Department of Education in addition to uploading all required materials to your HCPSS employment application.

Experience:

• Five years of experience as a certificated educator within a PreK-12 setting.
• Three years of experience in a leadership role or leading programs or projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Education:

• Coursework in gifted education.

Certification/Licensure:

• Maryland State Department of Education certification as a Gifted and Talented Specialist.
• National Board-Certified Teacher (NBCT): Exceptional Needs: Gifted Education.

Experience:

• Three years of experience as a certificated educator within a PreK-12 setting working with twice exceptional students and/or advanced academic/gifted and talented (G/T) programming.
• Experience designing and delivering high-quality professional learning for educators and support staff focused on advanced/gifted programming.
• Experience developing online professional learning modules and/or instructional content within a Learning Management System (LMS).
• Experience collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate the success of education initiatives.
• Experience with project management.
• Experience with school system budget management.
• Previous supervisory experience. 

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Provides leadership in the development and ongoing refinement of curricular resources within an online learning management system to support PreK–12 Advanced Academic Programs, including Primary Talent Development (PTD), enrichment seminars, curricular extensions, and advanced research opportunities. Collaborates with curriculum offices to ensure the integration of differentiated instructional practices that accelerate, extend, and enrich student learning.
• Provides leadership in planning, coordination, and delivery of systemic and school-based professional learning on advanced programming for PreK-12 educators, administrators, professional staff, and central office leaders, aligned with the vision and goals of HCPSS and best practices in advanced programming.
• Provides leadership in the planning and implementation of countywide programming, including the Summer Institutes for Talent Development and student showcase events that provide authentic opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning.
• Provides leadership, supervision, and support for staff in the Office of PreK–12 Advanced Academic Programs, as well as elementary and secondary school-based G/T Resource teachers, centrally-based Accelerated G/T Mathematics teachers, and Summer Institutes for Talent Development staff. Leads recruitment efforts and conducts interviews for G/T Resource teacher positions.
• Plans and facilitates community outreach opportunities and responds to individual inquiries to communicate Advanced Academic Program services, opportunities, and pathways to families and stakeholders. Presents Advanced Academic Programs reports and data analysis to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Howard County Board of Education (BOE). Serves as a liaison to the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) in areas related to advanced programming.
• Conducts informal and formal teacher observations of G/T Resource teachers and Accelerated G/T Mathematics teachers using the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching.
• Develops and manages the budget for Advanced Academic Programs and the Summer Institutes for Talent Development.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

Knowledge

• Deep understanding of best practices in PreK–12 advanced academic programming, including the Primary Talent Development (PTD) model and enrichment seminar structures.
• Expertise in instructional design for online Learning Management Systems (LMS) and the creation of curricular extensions that prioritize acceleration and enrichment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching for staff observation and professional growth.
• Familiarity with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) regulations, COMAR requirements for gifted education, and HCPSS systemic goals.
• Understanding of public-school finance, including the development, allocation, and oversight of departmental and seasonal program budgets (e.g., Summer Institutes).

Skills

• Ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate a diverse team of educators, including school-based Advanced Academic Programming Resource Teachers and centrally-based Accelerated G/T Math teachers.
• Skill in coordinating large-scale systemic events, such as countywide student showcases and Summer Institutes for Talent Development.
• Proficient in synthesizing complex student data to present formal reports to the Board of Education (BOE) and state-level stakeholders.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with various curriculum offices to integrate differentiated practices into the general education landscape.
• Skill in conducting behavioral interviews and identifying high-quality candidates for specialized teaching roles.

Abilities

• Ability to translate complex educational pathways into clear, accessible language for families, community members, and stakeholders.
• Ability to design and deliver high-impact professional development for a wide range of audiences, from classroom teachers to senior central office leadership.
• Ability to respond to individual family inquiries and systemic challenges with empathy, diplomacy, and a focus on student equity.
• Ability to align school-based programming with the overarching vision of the school system while ensuring best practices in talent development.
• Ability to multitask the demands of administrative supervision, state-level liaison duties, and community outreach simultaneously.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Hours

This position will require occasional evening and weekend hours.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Supplemental Application Questions

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the below supplemental application questions to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application.

1) Please describe any experience you possess working with twice exceptional students and/or advanced academic programming. Include in your response the position(s) in which you gained this experience as well as any specific curricular resources and strategies for differentiation you developed or utilized.

2) Please describe up to two examples of experience you possess designing and delivering high-quality professional learning for educators and support staff focused on advanced/gifted programming, including any online professional learning modules and/or instructional content within a Learning Management System (LMS). Include in your response the position(s) in which you gained this experience, the topics, audience, and delivery method.

3) Please describe up to two examples of experience you possess collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate the success of education initiatives. Include in your response the position(s) in which you gained this experience, the specific data utilized, and any decisions made as a result.

4) Please describe up to two examples of experience you possess with project management. Include in your response the position(s) in which you gained this experience and the project length, your specific role, and key outcomes achieved.

5) Please describe up to two examples of experience you possess with school system budget management. Include in your response the position(s) in which you gained this experience and the total funds managed.

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 Association of Supervisors and Administrators (HCASA) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is in the Grade III lane on the Central Office Administrators salary scale. Actual placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCASA Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is 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 Sandy Saval at sandy_saval@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.