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:

06-03-2026

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

This position will have a August 2026 start date.

Underthe directionof the Principal, the School Counseling Secretary provides high-level administrative support to the Student Services Team. As the primary point of contact, this role manages front-line inquiries, directs communications, and delivers exceptional customer service to all stakeholders. Responsibilities include managing team schedules and officelogistics, overseeing student aides, supporting 504 processes and timelines, and providing critical project support for major milestones such as graduation and senior celebrations. During non-peak periods, the Secretary provides cross-functional backup for other school support staff.

MINIMUMQUALIFICATIONS

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

Education:

• High School diploma or GED (must scan and upload to the online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization. For a list of approved vendors, please click here 

Experience:

• Two years of general administrative or clerical experience. AnAssociate Degreeor the successful completion of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

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

Section 504 process to include:

● Activates/Deactivates/Reactivates students in Case Management System

● Creates Section 504 Meeting Notices in Case Management System and sends to families

● Updates Section 504 Case Managers assignments in Case Management System

● Creates and distributes teacher input forms

● Assists Administrators with Flash 504 verification

● Assists with setting up a centralized scheduling calendar

● Assists with setting up Section 504 meetings using the centralized calendar

Administrative and clerical support for the Student Services Office:

● Primary point of contact for the Student Services Office, efficiently directing high-volume phone calls andassistingwalk-in visitors, scheduling meetings for Student Services team members.

● Provides professional service to all internal and external stakeholders through the composition and distribution of clear, formal correspondence.

● Streamlines office traffic and administrative workflows tomaintainaproductive environment and serve as the central hub for internal inquiries. This includes ordering andmaintainingoffice supplies.

● Facilitatelogisticsfor visiting organizations, such as college representatives.

● Directs and supports student aides while overseeing the safety and conduct of students in the office waiting area

Graduation support:

Collaborates with administrators, graduation coordinators,counselorsand other staff to plan for graduation and other senior celebrations - including but not limited to diploma orders, programcreationand event planning. Supports communicationwithfamilies.

Coverage:

Other duties as assignedsuch asback up for other front office/support staff, support for attendance.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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

Knowledge

● Special Education/Case Management Software (TIENET): In-depth understanding of the platform, including student profile management (activation/reactivation), document generation, and staff assignments.

● Section 504 Regulations: Familiarity with the administrative requirements of Section 504, including meeting notice timelines, teacher input mandates, and case management protocols.

● Office Operations: Comprehensive knowledge of administrative workflows, front-officelogistics, and supply chain management.

● Academic Events: Understanding of graduation protocols, including diploma procurement and event programming.

● Student Safety & Conduct: Knowledge of school policiesregardingstudent behavior and the supervision of student aides within an office setting

Skills

● Data Management:Proficiencyin updating andmaintainingaccuratestudent records and staff assignments within a database.

● Technical Proficiency: Expert use of Google Workspace (specifically Google Forms/Surveys for data collection) and calendar integration tools.

● Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for composing formal correspondence to families and directing high-volume inquiries.

● Logistics & Scheduling: Skilled in building and managing centralized calendars to coordinate complex meeting schedules across multiple stakeholders.

● Project Coordination: Ability tofacilitatelarge-scale events like graduation and visiting organizationlogistics(e.g., college reps)

Abilities

● Multi-Tasking in High-Volume Environments: Ability to remain professional and efficient while managing phone lines, walk-in visitors, and administrative deadlines simultaneously.

● Interpersonal Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with administrators, counselors, and external stakeholders to achieve departmental goals.

● Attention to Detail: Precision in verifying "Flash 504" data and ensuring diploma orders and graduation programs are error-free.

● Adaptive Problem Solving: Ability to streamline office traffic and pivot to "back-up" roles (like attendance or front office support) as needed.

● Confidentiality & Discretion: Ability to handle sensitive student services information and Section 504 documentation with the utmost privacy.

Working Hours

• The duty day for this position is 7.5hours,which will include a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free lunch period.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must besubmitted, and once your application has beensubmitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be acceptedResumes will not beaccepted in lieu of a completed application.

SELECTIONCRITERIA

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 which most closelymatchthepositionqualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation

This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary rangefor this position is Grade 8 on the HCEA-ESPSecretaries and Assistants salary scale Step placement will bein accordance withthe 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 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 employeeelectmembership.The annualcontribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary

Benefits

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits packagefor eligible employees.Information aboutadditionalbenefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreementfor employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-EmploymentRequirements

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offerofemployment. Recommended candidates willbe requiredtoprovide 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 toSection 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.In addition, some positions will requirecompletion of a physical examination and/or drug testing

Anyone offered employment isrequiredto provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSSparticipates in E-Verify anddoes not offer employee sponsorship.

For questionsregardingthis posting, please contact: Denise_Lee@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.