Science Teacher, High School Candidate Pool

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:

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 school principal and/or assistant principal, the secondary science teacher plans and provides appropriate learning experiences for all students. The science teacher creates a learning environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of individuals. Secondary Science teachers implement Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS) science curriculum aligned with the three-dimensional learning in Maryland’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and develop and differentiate lesson plans and assessments to meet the unique needs of all students. The science teacher is responsible for completing science lab safety training and adhering to safety practices when engaging students in science labs.  By fostering a safe and nurturing learning environment, the science teacher ensures all students engage in Science and Engineering Practices to develop scientific and environmental literacy. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

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

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an applicable field of education. 

Certification/Licensure: 

Meets the Maryland State Department of Education licensure requirements for one of the licensure areas listed below:

• Biology 7-12 

• Chemistry 7-12 

• Physics 7-12 

• Earth Science 7-12 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Three previous years of teaching experience 

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Plan and implement instructional programs that adhere to system-wide goals and priorities and meet the needs, interests, and abilities of all students. 

• Prepare, document, and effectively implement appropriate daily lesson plans for classes assigned, based upon HCPSS curricula, and aligned to the Understanding by Design framework, to achieve appropriate learning outcomes. 

• Develop and nurture a learning environment that is conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development of students. 

• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and learning outcomes. 

• Establish learning objectives consistent with student needs, requirements of the HCPSS curriculum framework, and knowledge of student growth and development. 

• Create a classroom environment that supports student engagement in the learning process, promotes academic language development and student discourse, and enables each student to achieve academic success. 

• Provide an instructional program to meet the needs of all students including students with disabilities and English Learners. 

• Refer students for appropriate specialized support as needed. 

• Plan for and utilize instructional methods, accommodations, resources, and evaluation techniques that motivate and enable each student to achieve the applicable learning objectives. 

• Provide input when necessary to student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and EL Accommodation Plans. 

• Take all necessary safety precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities. 

• Maintain accurate and complete records as required by law, HCPSS policy and administrative regulation. 

• Assist the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing conduct. 

• Develop norms of classroom behavior and procedure and maintain order in the classroom in a fair and just manner. 

• Communicate performance, successes, and opportunities for improvement to students and families. 

• Provide timely and meaningful feedback to students and families. 

• Make provisions for being available to students and families for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms. 

• Plan and oversee purposeful assignments for paraeducators, student assistants, and/or classroom volunteers. 

• Plan and collaborate with co-teachers including special education and ESOL educators. 

• Provide non-evaluative input on paraeducator and/or student assistants’ job performance as requested. 

• Establish relationships with administrators, curricular office staff, colleagues, students, families, and the school community that reflect recognition of and respect for every individual. 

• Appraise his/her own effectiveness and demonstrate successful application of skills and information acquired to increase effectiveness. 

• Participate in and share responsibility for the safe and orderly operation of schools. 

• Attend staff meetings, district professional learning, events, and serve on staff committees when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms. 

The above list is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.   

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 10-month per year position in the Howard County Educators Association (HCEA) employee bargaining unit.  The current salary range for this position is on the 10-Month teacher salary scale. Actual placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is 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 Jaymika Mitchell @ jaymika_mitchell@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.