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

p

rior to

the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely .


Job Posting End Date:


12-14-2025

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 Manager of Payroll, the Technical Assistant, Payroll is responsible for performing a variety of highly responsible and complex tasks related to processing employee payroll. The Technical Assistant is responsible for processing large-volume transactions rapidly and accurately completing computations for payroll including leave balance adjustments, sick leave bank reconciliation, manual time sheet entries, salary vouchers, payroll payables, and direct payments; specific assigned tasks may be distributed among several Technical Assistants for efficient processing.



MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Education:

High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience with payroll, budget, and/or accounting . Three (3) years of experience utilizing spreadsheets to organize, manipulate, and analyze data. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS



One (1) year of payroll processing experience utilizing Workday or a similar payroll p rocessing or time tracking system. Proficiency in using Microsoft Word and Excel. Includes experience with VLOOKUP and PIVOT functions. Includes experience creating formulas to perform calculations. Previous payroll processing experience in a Pre K-12 central or district office setting. 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.



Enters leave of absence transactions or serves as backup for assigned groups of employees in accordance with applicable negotiated agreements and HCPSS policies. Enters leave as designated to employees on all leave types. Processes sick leave bank awards to eligible employees, monitors usage, balances, and reconciles sick leave bank donations. Reconciles time off events in the system of record and absences in the absence management system to ensure leaves are entered and are accurately used. Receives and reviews timesheets, salary vouchers, and other pay related documents to ensure proper usage, tracking, and entry of time worked and leave taken and/or available. Reconciles and audits payroll input for accuracy prior to payroll processing deadlines. Completes requests for wage verifications. Provides customer service to all HCPSS employees and external stakeholders via written and oral communications. Responds to a high volume of payroll inquiries regarding pay and leave questions and concerns. Participates in the onboarding process for new employees by providing information and answering questions about payroll. Participates in projects and tasks to update and enhance existing payroll functions and/or procedures. Utilizes and applies all applicable negotiated agreements and HCPSS policies to the implementation of payroll procedures. 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.



Possesses strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines . Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills to interact with various stakeholders, both internally and externally . Possesses the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues and clients. Possesses the ability to adapt to changing priorities and work under pressure . Possesses the ability to handle, process, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged transactions including records, documents, and data. Skilled at handling high volume and time sensitive transactions accurately. Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications including Google Docs, Microsoft Office Suite, Workday or similar HCM. Knowledge and understanding of applicable negotiated agreement provisions and HCPSS policy and procedures. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Working Hours

The duty day for this position is 8 hours including a one-hour duty-free lunch. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS



Complete applications must be submitted , and o nce your application has been submitted , you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. I ncomplete applications will not be accepted . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Supplemental

Application Questions

T his position requires applicants to provide r esponses 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.



1. Please describe your specific experience with payroll, budget , and/or accounting . I n your response, cite the employers and date range(s) for each experience. If you do not have this experience, please respond N/ A.



2. Please describe any experience you possess utilizing a payroll processing or time - tracking system. Include in your response the specific systems that you have used and the specific functions that you have used in your work. If you do not have this experience, please respond N/ A.



3. Please describe your experience utilizing spreadsheets to organize, manipulate, and analyze data. Please describe your proficiency utilizing the VLOOKUP and PIVOT functions or your experience creating formulas to perform calculations. I n your response, cite the employers and date range(s) for each experience. If you do not have this experience, please respond N/ A.



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 2 1 on the Technical Central Office and School Based salary scale, $ 4 9,987 - $ 9 9,325 . 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.

Telework Program

Under the HCPSS Telework Program, this position is eligible for a

hybrid

telework schedule. Telework schedules will be determined by the department and/or supervisor. Telework during the probationary period will be subject to approval and based on the needs of the department and the school system.

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.



A ll 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, s ome 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

Philip Wentt (

philip_wentt@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.