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:

04-07-2026

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

This isa school-based clerical/secretarial work of a confidential nature.An employee in this class, with general supervision from a designated administrator orteachers,provides clericalassistanceto the staff. Performance is evaluated periodically

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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:

• One year of general office experience.Mustbe ableto use thekeyboard at a moderate rate of speed. Graduation from an accredited university or college with a minimum of anassociate degreeor successful completion of 60 credit hours may be substituted for the required experience.An officialcollege transcript isrequired

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with Microsoft Office database applications. Experience working in a school setting.

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.

• Performs general secretarial tasks including, but not limited to, typing,maintainingrecords,logsand databases;makephotocopies, files,maildistribution, etc.

• Answers telephone communications and record messages

• Communicates positively and effectively with staff, students,parents,and/or visitors.

• Typeletters, reports, forms, bulletins, and newsletters

• Compiles andmaintainsstudent data, attendancerecords,and registration records

• Operates computer and other office equipment

• Preparecurricular materials for teachers

• Organizes,prepares,and publishes weeklynewsletters

• Operatesseveral typesof office machines for reproduction,copying,and collating forteachers and staff

• Answers the telephones, takes written and oralmessages,and gives information within thescope of assigned responsibilities

• Maintain files and records appropriately.

• Collectmonies for specific purposes

• Orders, receives, inventories, andissuesupplies

• Greets visitors and escorts individuals to various activities within the building

• Assistswith the registration of new students

• Assiststeachers in planning field trips

• Assistin the supervision of studentaides.

• Assistadministrators withthework schedule for substitute employees.

• Operates various office machines

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 of record keeping methods

• Ability tomaintainconfidentiality

• Ability to perform general clerical duties

• Knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation and grammar, and office procedures

• Ability to type from rough draft and keyboard at a moderate rate of speed

• Knowledge of alphanumeric filing systems

• Ability to type and prepare correspondence

• Knowledge of inventory control methods and methods commonly used in the training foracquiringclerical skills

• Strong human relations skills

• Ability to be able to meet timelines

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with schooladministrators, central office personnel, faculty, staff, parents,students,and the community

• Knowledge and skill in the use of computers and all aspects of word processing, database,and spreadsheet software programs

• Knowledgeof operatingand maintenance of other office equipment, including computers

• Ability to manage the office and provide training for other office personnel

• Ability to coordinate his/her daily activities or schedule

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in a variety of situations and remain calm under tryingcircumstances

• Ability to work harmoniously with individuals and groups of employees

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, perform multiple tasks, andmaintainvariousorganizational systems needed at the school

• Ability to count money accurately and make basic math computations quickly and accurately

• Ability tomaintainefficient office procedures and a system for keeping track of requestedactions andreports.

ADDITIONALREQUIREMENTS

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 be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

SELECTIONCRITERIA

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

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 Secretaries and Assistants Salary Scalefor this position is Grade 7 on the HCEA-ESP Secretaries 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 questionsregardingthisposting, please contact natasha_mahasa@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.