Administrative Aide - Community Resources and Services, Office on Aging and Independence

Howard County Government; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 34,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Wellness programs

Job summary

Howard County Government is seeking administrative support personnel to assist the Office of Aging and Independence in a busy county office environment. The role involves back‑end and front‑end administrative duties, data entry, and coordination of program support tasks.

Candidates should have an Associate's degree and at least two years of related experience; proficiency in Microsoft Office and data systems is preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Experience handling cash and receptionist duties a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides back-up front desk reception support: phones, mail, greeting customers.
• Performs general administrative tasks: mail, supplies, calendar, scheduling.
• Maintains office and program supplies inventory.
• Prepares routine correspondence, meeting minutes, newsletters, and other documents.
• Attends meetings and trainings; records minutes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Oral & written communication

Diversity and inclusion

Cash handling

Receptionist experience

Microsoft Office

Database management

Education

Associate's degree

Job description

Howard County

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2026, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

Position Summary/Class Description

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2026, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 113 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 165 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

Position Summary

Provides administrative support to the Office of Aging and Independence.

Starting Salary Hiring Range

$24.59 - $26.89/Hourly

$51,139 - $55,938/Annually

• This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*

Class Description

Performs advanced technical level administrative support work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work typically involves administrative support, technical tasks and secretarial work assisting legal staff or an executive level government official. Applies bookkeeping, accounting and data processing principles to accounting and financial record keeping and reporting systems at the advanced technical level. Work at this level may also include independent responsibility for a significant administrative or clerical process.

• This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*
• Please note that this position falls within a collective bargaining unit and is represented by AFSCME Local 3085, Local 3888, or Local 1810.*

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Administrative and Office Support

• Provides back-up support to front desk reception: phones, mail, greeting customers, referrals, general assistance.
• Performs general administrative tasks including mail distribution, supply orders, photocopying, faxing, filing, calendar maintenance, and appointment scheduling.
• Orders and maintains inventory of office and program supplies.
• Prepares routine correspondence, meeting minutes, newsletters, and other administrative documents.
• Attends meetings and trainings; records meeting minutes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Program And Division Support

• Supports Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) programs, publications, boards, and commissions, including updating and maintaining databases and systems.
• Provides overflow support to the Office Administrator, Operations Manager, and Division Managers.
• Provides administrative and program support to the 50+ Center Division: scheduling, newsletters, correspondence, program data entry, and client communications.
• Assists 50+ Center staff and program managers with entering activities and creating/running ActiveNet reports.
• Enters program data into internal databases for various OAI programs and runs reports as requested; supports program reporting.
• May act as registrar and support large events (vendor packets, registrations, deposits).

Financial And Fiscal Support

• Processes direct payment claims for vendors; maintains payment records.
• Receives and processes invoices, mileage claims, and related fiscal documents.
• Enters financial information into internal fiscal databases.
• Responds to staff and vendor inquiries regarding payments.
• Reconciles PDQ transactions for assigned cardholders.
• Assists Division Managers and Program Manager with tracking expenditures and running fiscal reports.

Human Resources And Hiring Support

• Assists with the interview process for open OAI positions: contacting applicants, scheduling interviews, creating calendar invites/virtual meetings, and updating hiring managers.

Technology And Web Support

• Updates webpages as requested and ensures ADA compliance.
• Maintains and updates internal databases and reporting systems.

Emergency Management And Special Assignments

• Participates in emergency management activities as requested, including after-hours work.
• Works collaboratively as part of the administrative support team and on designated projects.
• May serve as backup timekeeper for time and leave functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Required Education/Experience

Associate's degree and two (2) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Cash handling experience.
• Receptionist experience.
• Experience in working in a senior center or its equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well with an ethnically diverse population.
• Strong computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), database management and spreadsheet applications necessary.
• Proficiency in virtual platforms and use of technology for human services delivery.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristic described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills, Mathematical Skills, And Reasoning Ability

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply or divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and draw and interpret bar graphs.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Additional Information

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at [e-mail]. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.

The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at https://www.howardcountymd.gov/human-resources/benefit-plans.

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.

GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.

PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.

ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.

DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.

PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.

HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.

OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.

RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.

SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.

457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $2500 contingent upon County funding.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Employees who have worked for the county for at least twelve (12) months are eligible for twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the qualifying birth of a child, or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care. Leave must be used within the 12 months following the birth or placement.

LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.

DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.

VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance.

CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.