Administrative Secretary, Human Resources

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 p rior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely .

Job Posting End Date:

10-27-2026

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

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the Supervisor, Temporary Services and the Coordinator, Recruitment and Hiring, the Human Resources Administrative Secretary will provide essential administrative and customer service support to the Human Resources department, ensuring a positive applicant and employee experience.

The administrative secretary will provide exceptional customer service to all stakeholders, including current

and prospective applicants, hiring managers, central office leaders, and colleagues within the Department of Human Resources and Employee and Labor Relations. The administrative secretary will directly support the HCPSS Strategic Plan Priority 3: Foster Staff Growth & Engagement by supporting essential functions of the recruitment, application, and hiring process as well as supporting onboarding efforts.

The administrative secretary will support key human resources functions, including, but not limited to handling applicant, hiring manager, and employee inquiries, maintaining HR records, facilitating i9 employment verification appointments, assisting with employment background checks, and supporting recruitment and onboarding events for the HCPSS.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Education:

High School diploma or GED

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience performing clerical/administrative support duties.

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 an associate's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience performing clerical/administrative support duties in a PreK-12 setting.

Experience performing clerical/administrative support duties in a Human Resources setting.

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.

Serve as the first point of contact for HR inquiries that come in through the telephone and the HR inbox, providing friendly and professional assistance to employees and candidates.

Assist with onboarding and orientation, including scheduling, to ensure new hires have a welcoming and organized experience.

Respond to employee requests related to HR policies, benefits, and procedures, directing complex issues to appropriate HR staff.

Collaborate with a third-party vendor to ensure new hires are fingerprinted.

Support the administration of the MD486 background check process for new employees.

Collaborate with Equifax to address employment verification requests

Assist with coordination of employee engagement initiatives and events.

Assist with reviewing employment applications.

Supporting recruitment and hiring fairs and events.

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.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).

High attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality.

Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), ATS systems such as Workday Recruiting, and HRIS systems such as Workday.

Ability to multitask and handle a fast-paced work environment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Hours

The duty day for this position is 9 hours, including a one hour duty-free lunch.

This position will require occasional evening hours to support recruitment and/or onboarding events.

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.

Describe your experience performing clerical/administrative support duties, including any experience in a PreK-12 and/or Human Resources setting. Identify the position(s) in which you gained this experience.

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 current salary range for this position is Grade X on the HCEA-ESP 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 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 comple