Assistant, Operations, ESRC

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.
1) 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.
2) Please describ