Technical Assistant, Student Transportation

Technical Assistant

Under the direction of the Coordinator of Transportation, the Technical Assistant provides technical, administrative, and data management support to the Office of Student Transportation. Responsibilities include data entry, program utilization, and data reconciliation to support departmental operations and ensure accuracy of transportation records.

This position also supports the Coordinator of Transportation with written correspondence, calendar management, preparation of Board of Education memos and reports, and communication with transportation contractors. In addition, the Technical Assistant provides customer service support within the Transportation Department and assists with the acquisition, organization, and management of departmental supplies and materials.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent. Experience requirements may be met by substituting education (up to a Bachelor's degree) for experience on a year-for-year basis.

• Five (5) years of experience with data tracking and customer service which includes experience utilizing spreadsheets to organize, manipulate, and analyze data.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in business, Accounting, or Finance from an accredited college or university.

• Proficiency with web-based productivity and collaboration tools (Adobe Pro, Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Jira).

• Experience in a PreK-12 school setting for the delivery of services to students, families, or other stakeholders.

Essential Position Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain the school vehicle driver and attendant database. Review, process, and input certification-related documentation, including preservice and in-service training records, fingerprint results, physical examinations, Maryland Judiciary Case Search results, driving records, and sex offender registry checks. Monitor compliance with certification and regulatory requirements for drivers and attendants.

• Operational and clerical duties. Answer and direct incoming phone calls and radio communications. Send messages and provide timely communication to drivers, attendants, contractors, schools, and staff. Triage and prioritize radio traffic to ensure efficient response to transportation and safety-related matters. Files, answers phones related to transportation operation issues from contractors, drivers, school administration, parents, and staff.

• Organize driver pre-service and in-service training schedules. Prepare data for MSDE audit. Assembles documentation pertaining to COMAR regulations.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive understanding of COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations) and MSDE (Maryland State Department of Education) requirements governing student transportation.

• Certification Requirements: Deep knowledge of the specific mandates for school vehicle drivers and attendants, including pre-service/in-service training, physical exam standards, and background clearance protocols.

• Database Management: Familiarity with maintaining complex record-keeping systems and the specific databases used for tracking personnel credentials and history.

• Legal Screening Procedures: Knowledge of the processes for reviewing Maryland Judicial Case Searches, sex offender registries, fingerprinting results, and driving records (MVA).

• Information Management: Proficient in accurately inputting and auditing high volumes of sensitive data into a driver/attendant database.

• Administrative Coordination: Skilled in organizing logistics for training schedules and managing high-volume clerical tasks like filing and multi-line phone systems.

• Audit Preparation: Exceptional ability to compile, organize, and "audit-proof" documentation to ensure it meets state-level inspection standards.

• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software (Excel, Word, or specialized transportation software) to track expiration dates and compliance milestones.

• Attention to Detail: The ability to spot discrepancies in legal paperwork, physicals, or training records that could impact safety or compliance.

• Effective Communication: Ability to relay complex transportation issues and regulatory requirements clearly to contractors, parents, school staff, and drivers.

• Organization & Prioritization: Ability to manage recurring operational duties while simultaneously preparing for major annual milestones like MSDE audits.

• Discretion & Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive personal information (background checks, medical physicals, and judicial records) with the utmost professional integrity.

Additional Requirements:

• Prior to any employment offer, the selected candidate will need to provide a copy of their license and consent to a review of their driving record. For positions requiring a CDL, a query of your record will also be run in the Federal Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse.

Working Hours:

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

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 2 on the Technical Central Office and School Based salary scale, $54,082 - $103,619. 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 Philip Wentt (View email address on click.appcast.io) OR View email address on click.appcast.io.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Howard County Public School System