Howard County Public School System

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:

05-21-2025

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

DESCRIPTION

This is experienced secretarial work of a confidential nature. An employee in this class, with direction from the Principal or designated Assistant Principal, manages the main office of a school and renders clerical assistance to the Principal and other members of the management staff. This position requires a high degree of accuracy, accountability, attention to detail, and confidentiality.

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 a secretarial nature.
• One year of experience working with accounting or bookkeeping records.
• Six semester hours of college accounting or bookkeeping may be substituted for one year of working experience with accounting or bookkeeping records. Copy of an official college transcript must be uploaded if education is substituted for this experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of financial and statistical record-keeping methods.
• Ability to count money accurately and prepare bank deposits, write checks, post debits and credits.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in both written and oral form.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, punctuation, and grammar .
• Ability to manage the office, supervise and train other office personnel.
• Experience working in a school setting.
• Ability to remain calm under trying circumstances.
• Knowledge of district organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, procedures and equipment as well as word processing, database and spreadsheet programs.

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.

• Lead the activities of the office staff providing training, indirect supervision, technical leadership and direction as necessary; assure compliance with established procedures; assist in setting work priorities and assist in preparation of performance evaluations; serve as contact person for students, parents and staff.
• Prepare and accurately maintain a variety of reports, records and files relating to students, staff, operations and activities including those of a confidential nature.
• Plan, organize and coordinate school activities and communications.
• Independently prepare, type and distribute communications.
• Serve as secretary to the principal; schedule appointments and meetings; make travel arrangements.
• Handles financial records and bookkeeping to include, but not limited to, the payroll and bank transactions; collect and account for monies collected in conjunction with school activities; secure monies and process according to established procedures.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Hours

• The duty day for this position is 8 ½ hours including a thirty-minute duty-free lunch.

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 accepted. Resumes will not be 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 X 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 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 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 Keiana Morris at keiana_morris@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.

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