Administrative Secretary, Human Resources

Howard County Public School System; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework after 120 days

Benefits package

Job summary

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is seeking an HR Administrative Secretary to provide essential administrative and customer service support to the Human Resources department. Responsibilities include onboarding coordination, applicant handling, and employment verification, while maintaining HR records and facilitating background checks.

The role supports recruitment and onboarding events, serves as a primary contact for inquiries, and requires strong communication, confidentiality,

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Five (5) years of clerical/administrative support experience are required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for HR inquiries via phone and inbox.
• Assist with onboarding and orientation, including scheduling.
• Respond to HR policies, benefits, and procedures inquiries.
• Coordinate fingerprinting with a third-party vendor.
• Support MD486 background checks for new employees.
• Coordinate employment verification requests with Equifax.
• Assist with employee engagement initiatives and events.
• Assist with reviewing employment applications and recruitment events.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Confidentiality

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Workday Recruiting

Multitasking

Education

High School diploma or GED

Associate's degree (preferred)

Tools

ATS systems (Workday)

HRIS systems (Workday)

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: 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

• Education: High School diploma or GED
• Experience: Five (5) years of experience performing clerical/administrative support duties

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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

• 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

• 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.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

This is a 12-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit.

COMPENSATION

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 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.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [e-mail].

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.

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! To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [e-mail].