Technical Assistant, Student Access and Achievement

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 Coordinator of Student Access and Achievement (SAA), the Technical Assistant provides high-level administrative support and expertise to facilitate HCPSS programs dedicated to equity and student success. The Technical Assistant proactively balances technical tasks with interpersonal engagement, serving as the primary liaison between Central Office staff, school-based personnel, families, and community members. This role collaborates with a variety of stakeholders to implement efficient program enrollment processes and communicate accurate and timely data required for continuous program improvement.

The ideal candidate for this role is highly organized, comfortable with financial software (specifically Workday), and passionate about supporting educational equity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Education:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience:

• Five years of administrative support/clerical experience that includes monitoring budgets, performing account reconciliation, and creating financial reports.

Experience requirements may be met by substituting education (up to a bachelor’s degree) for experience on a year-for-year basis.

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.

• Experience working in a public school system in an administrative/clerical position interacting with a variety of stakeholders including staff, parents, families, and community members.

• Experience preparing and utilizing spreadsheets to manage and analyze large sets of data.

• Experience utilizing Workday or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to initiate, process, and track purchase requisitions and manage corporate credit card (P-card/G-card) transactions within a public school system or large-scale organization.

• Experience providing culturally responsive customer service to a diverse range of staff, students, and families, ensuring all stakeholders feel welcomed and have equitable access to school resources and information.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures fiscal accountability by tracking program budgets, processing payroll, and managing the end-to-end procurement process for all departmental supplies and resources.

• Prepares and reviews financial, demographic, and academic data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

• Initiates, processes, and tracks purchase requisitions and P-card/G-card purchases through the Howard County Public School System’s (HCPSS) Workday system for SAA programs.

• Collaborates to establish, maintain, and communicate key information and processes for enrollment requests and enrollment data for SAA programs.

• Collaborates with Central Office staff, school-based personnel, parents, families and community members to provide information and facilitate HCPSS programs.

• Provides technical assistance and administrative support to SAA staff and programs.

• Supports ongoing recruitment efforts for full-time and temporary positions serving SAA programs by coordinating interview schedules, communicating with candidates, and preparing and managing interview materials and documentation.

• Collaborates within the Division of Equity and Innovation on shared policies and practices.

• Participates in continuous improvement processes to identify opportunities for improvement and efficiency.

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.

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.

Knowledge

• Financial Operations & Compliance: Deep understanding of budget monitoring, payroll processing, and public sector procurement protocols.

• HCPSS Systems: Proficiency in the Workday ecosystem, specifically regarding purchase requisitions, P-card/G-card reconciliation, and financial tracking.

• Data Analysis Frameworks: Knowledge of how to interpret demographic and academic datasets to identify equity gaps and institutional trends.

• Educational Policy: Familiarity with the Division of Equity and Innovation’s shared policies and the administrative standards of Student Access and Achievement (SAA) programs.

Skills

• Data Synthesis & Reporting: Skilled at translating complex financial and academic data into actionable insights and "opportunities for improvement."

• Administrative Logistics: Expertise in managing the lifecycle of enrollment requests, from initial intake to data maintenance and communication.

• Technical Troubleshooting: Ability to provide high-level technical assistance and administrative support to departmental staff and program leaders.

• Strategic Collaboration: Proven ability to facilitate communication between diverse stakeholders, including Central Office staff, school personnel, and community members.

Abilities

• Process Improvement Mindset: Ability to evaluate existing workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement continuous improvement strategies.

• Interpersonal Diplomacy: Ability to interact empathetically and effectively with staff, parents, families, and community partners from diverse backgrounds.

• Detail Orientation: Ability to track financial transactions and enrollment data meticulously to ensure 100% accuracy and regulatory compliance.

• Cross-Functional Teamwork: Ability to work seamlessly across different divisions (Equity and Innovation, SAA) to achieve shared organizational goals.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Working Hours

The duty day for this position is eight hours including a one-hour 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.
 
Supplemental Application Questions

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the supplemental application questions below 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.

1) Please identify the specific roles you have held in which you have gained experience providing administrative/clerical support including monitoring budgets, performing account reconciliation, and creating financial reports. For each, please identify your position title, the person or program you supported, and the size of the organization. Table format is preferred for this response.

2) Please describe any experience you possess working in a public school system interacting with a variety of stakeholders including staff, parents, families, and community members. In your response, please include the general types of interactions required by your role and the setting in which they occurred.

3) Please describe any experience you possess preparing and utilizing spreadsheets to manage and analyze large sets of data. In your response, identify the position(s) in which you gained this experience, the type(s) of data managed, typical size of your data set(s), general responsibilities you had for managing and analyzing the data, and the frequency of this work.

4) Please describe any experience you possess utilizing Workday or similar enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems to initiate, process, and track purchase requisitions and manage corporate credit card (P-card/G-card) transactions within a public school system or large-scale organization. In your response, identify the position(s) in which you gained this experience and typical frequency of this work within your role.

5) Please describe up to two examples of experience you have providing culturally responsive customer service to a diverse range of staff, students, and families, ensuring all stakeholders feel welcomed and have equitable access to school resources and information. For each, identify the position 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 21 on the Technical Central Office and School-Based salary scale, $49,897 - $99,325. 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 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 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.