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:

05-28-2026

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

The Recruitment Specialist plays a key role in attracting, recruiting, and hiring highly qualified candidates for permanent, licensed positions within the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). Under the direction of the Coordinator, Recruitment and Hiring, the Recruitment Specialist manages the full recruitment lifecycle for assigned positions. This includes developing and posting job announcements, sourcing and screening applicants, conducting interviews, referring candidates to hiring managers with vacancies, and coordinating the hiring process for recommended candidates. The Recruitment Specialist also represents HCPSS at internal and external job fairs and recruitment events, promoting the district as an employer of choice. In this role, the Recruitment Specialist collaborates closely with HR colleagues, division and department leaders, and school-based administrators to identify and recruit top talent, particularly for hard-to-fill positions. The Recruitment Specialist is expected to provide outstanding customer service to applicants, candidates, and hiring managers across all HCPSS schools and central office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Education:

• Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• Four years of Human Resources experience, which includes at least one year of experience in the area of recruitment.

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.

• Possession of a Master’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Professional Experience sourcing, recruiting, screening, and hiring in a public PreK-12 school system.

• Experience using Workday Recruiting or a similar applicant tracking system.

• Demonstrated experience applying MSDE licensure regulations to assess and determine eligibility of candidates for certification.

• Experience in using negotiated agreements to determine salary placement within the education sector.

• Experience developing and maintaining talent pipelines for licensed/certificated educators.

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.

Full Cycle Recruitment Management

• Manage the entire recruitment and hiring process for assigned licensed and permanent positions (may include teachers, school-based professional staff, school administrators, and central office roles).

• Develop, post, and maintain job announcements across internal and external platforms.

• Source, screen, and evaluate applicants to ensure qualifications align with MSDE licensure requirements and the needs of the school system.

• Coordinate and conduct interviews (screening, school-based, or panel) with candidates.

• Refer qualified candidates to central office hiring managers and principals for consideration.

• Facilitate the hiring process for recommended candidates, ensuring compliance with district and state hiring policies.

Recruitment Strategy and Outreach

• Represent HCPSS at internal and external job fairs, recruitment events, and university partnerships.

• Promote the district as an employer of choice through effective communication of HCPSS’s strategic plan, values, opportunities for career growth, and benefits.

• Develop and maintain relationships with teacher preparation programs, colleges, and professional organizations to build a diverse talent pipeline.

• Focus recruitment strategies on hard-to-fill positions.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with HR colleagues, school administrators, and district leaders to proactively identify staffing needs and develop and implement recruitment plans.

• Provide guidance and support to hiring managers on best practices for equitable and effective selection processes.

• Maintain strong communication and partnership with internal departments to ensure timely and coordinated hiring.

Customer Service and Candidate Experience

• Deliver high-quality customer service to applicants, candidates, and hiring managers throughout the recruitment, application, and hiring process.

• Respond to inquiries regarding job postings, application status, and recruitment procedures.

• Ensure a positive, inclusive, and professional experience for all candidates.

Compliance and Process Improvement

• Ensure recruitment and hiring practices comply with federal, state, and local employment laws and HCPSS policies.

• Monitor and track recruitment metrics, including time to fill, source effectiveness, offer acceptance rate, identifying opportunities for process improvement.

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.

• Exemplary customer service and human relations skills.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Knowledge of HCPSS policies and procedures.

• Knowledge and skill in the use of computer technology.

• Ability to prioritize tasks in a high-volume, fast moving work environment.

• Familiarity with conducting employment background checks, including the MD486 process.

Working Hours

• The duty day for this position is 8 hours, including a one-hour duty-free lunch.

• This position will require occasional evening 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) Describe your experience sourcing, recruiting, screening, and hiring in a public PreK-12 school system.

2) Describe your experience applying MSDE licensure regulations to assess and determine eligibility of candidates for certification.

3) Describe your experience developing and maintaining talent pipelines for licensed/certificated educators.

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 25 on the Technical Central Office and School Based salary scale, $87,280 - $138,433. 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 relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime.

Telework Program

This position is eligible to participate after the first 120 working days of employment. Telework schedules will be subject to approval and determined by the department and/or supervisor.

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 Philip Wentt at Philip_wentt@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.