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:
11-10-2026 Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.
Working Title: Operations Assistant, Elementary Science Resource Center
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!
DESCRIPTION
The Operations Assistant, Elementary Science Resource Center (ESRC), is responsible for packing and preparing science kits and consumable materials for distribution to all HCPSS elementary schools on a quarterly basis, as well as fulfilling individual orders and requests from teachers, teams, and schools as needed. Responsibilities include physically packing teacher and student kits and consumables, maintaining school orders, preparing materials for distribution, and cleaning and sanitizing materials returned from schools.
The Operations Assistant is responsible for supporting the organization, inventory, logistics, and day-to-day operations and cleanliness of the ESRC warehouse. This position helps to maintain an organized and up-to-date inventory of science materials on ESRC shelving and ensures accurate material counts to support the instructional needs of PreK–5 teachers and students.
This position plays a critical role in ensuring that classrooms have the appropriate science materials needed to implement COMAR-mandated science curriculum standards and instruction, while providing responsive logistical support to teachers, teams, and schools.
The anticipated start date for this position is February 1, 2027.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.
Education:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent. A copy must be uploaded to the application. Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization.
Experience:
- One year of experience with inventory control methods or organizational operations.
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.
- Three or more years of experience with inventory control methods or organizational operations.
- Experience working in a PreK-12 school setting.
- Experience working independently and efficiently to complete multiple tasks with varying deadlines.
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.
- Pulls and packs kits and consumable materials for quarterly science units, PreK-5.
- Cleans and refurbishes kit materials upon return from schools.
- Organizes inventory and storage within the ESRC shelving and space/area.
- Prepares and packs materials for curricular in-services, workshops, programs, and/or special 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.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of safe cleaning, sanitizing, and refurbishing procedures for reusable educational materials, laboratory equipment, and multi-piece science kits.
- Familiarity with safe manual handling, lifting protocols, and general facility safety practices.
Skills
- High proficiency in accurately selecting, counting, sorting, and packing small components, consumable supplies, and multi-item unit kits against pull sheets or checklists.
- Strong organizational skills to maximize storage efficiency, maintain orderly shelving systems, and process high-volume returns systematically.
- Sharp attention to detail in evaluating returned goods for wear, missing parts, or damage, and efficiently refurbishing them to standard.
- Prioritizes time-sensitive tasks to meet school delivery cycles, quarterly kit rotations, and scheduled workshop deadlines.
Abilities
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and maneuver packages up to 50 lbs., stand for long stretches, and safely operate basic material handling tools (e.g., rolling carts, hand trucks).
- Ability to work independently with high accuracy while executing repetitive tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to follow event agendas or lesson supply manifests to accurately prep materials for teacher in-services and special events.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Working Environment
- The ESRC is a warehouse environment. Mice, snakes, and dust are common.
- When cleaning kits and some materials, including batteries, gloves and protective eyewear are recommended and available for the employee to use. There are no hazardous chemicals or materials as part of the materials being housed/packed.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and maneuver packages up to 50 lbs., stand for long stretches, and safely operate basic material handling tools (e.g., rolling carts, hand trucks).
- The person selected for this position must meet all requirements of the physical examination administered by a medical service selected by the Howard County Department of Education.
Working Hours
- The duty day for this position is 8.5 hours including a thirty-minute duty-free lunch. The preferred hours are 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM with possible flexibility on start time up until 8 AM.
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.
- Please describe your experience keeping or tracking inventory of materials or other organizational systems you have created or implemented. In your response, provide specific examples of the systems implemented and your responsibilities for each as well as the position in which you gained the experience.
- Please describe any experience you possess working independently and efficiently to complete multiple tasks with varying deadlines. In your response, include up to two examples and explain what strategies you used to ensure tasks were completed accurately and on time.
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 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 VII on the 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.
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.