Administrative Secretary I

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 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: 03-21-2026

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Instructional Facilitator for the Early Intervention Assessment Team, the Administrative Secretary I supports the team by providing administrative support, using independent judgment and action to assume clerical duties within the office. The Administrative Secretary I is expected to exercise tact, discretion, and judgment in all areas of work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience: Five (5) years of clerical or general office experience.

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.

• Associates degree from an accredited college or university.
• One (1) year of experience using Microsoft Outlook and Office (Excel, Word).
• One (1) year of experience using Google Workspaces (Sheets, Docs, Forms).
• One (1) year of experience using Synergy Student Information System (SIS).
• One (1) year of secretarial experience in a PreK-12 school system.

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.

• Performs general secretarial tasks including but not limited to producing letters, reports, memorandums, etc. via the computer.
• Makes photocopies, files, and distributes mail.
• Answers telephone and electronic communication as well as recorded messages.
• Communicates in a positive and effective manner with parents, staff, and community agency partners as the first point of contact.
• Gathers confidential referral information from parents and community agencies.
• Welcomes visitors to the Child Find/County Diagnostic Office.
• Schedules meetings and maintains the calendar for the Early Intervention Assessment Team.
• Manages student files and family follow up.
• Creates cab/transportation vouchers.
• Maintains records, enters data into online databases, and generates and analyses reports from online databases.

Working Hours

The duty day for this position is 8.5 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 considered. 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.

Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment prior to or during the interview process.

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 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.

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 for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the 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.