Howard County
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most in the state of Maryland. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible clerical work supporting the procurement efforts of multiple Buyers, preparing and finalizing bid and contract documents essential to the successful operation of the Office of Purchasing.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE
$20.51 - $23.14
$42,655 - $48,136

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs advanced technical level administrative support work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work typically involves performing responsible clerical and secretarial work essential to the successful operation of a specialized function. Work may also include supervision of data entry staff and coordination and work scheduling of the data entry function. Work at this level may also include independent responsibility for a moderately complex clerical process.Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• An employee of this class is responsible for the efficient and effective performance of full-range, complex secretarial tasks, including effective public relations, scheduling appointments, screening calls and visitors, and independently handling routine correspondence and informal requests.
• The employee also provides clerical coordination of administrative departmental operations (i.e. issuing solicitations, obtaining legal agreements, issuing purchase order and contract changes, etc.), activities, and routine projects; works with confidential information and correspondence.
• Receives customer inquiries, complaints, requests, furnishes information and services in connection with such requests. Handles confidential and sensitive materials.
• Researches and compiles information from various sources as necessary; maintains statistical information or other data in logs or spreadsheets (i.e. current contracts, bid tabulations and bid results, etc.).
• Develops, implements and maintains filing systems, cross-reference systems, files and retrieves various records pertinent to the office.
• Acts as receptionist; interviews and screens calls and visitors, makes appointments, provides information or interprets office policy when appropriate; handles most complaints or refers to supervisor if necessary. Maintains weekly schedules.
• Operates a variety of office equipment such as personal computer and associated devices and the required software applications, such as Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, email, fax machines, photocopiers and telephones.
• Receives, analyzes, and routes incoming mail.
• Orders supplies.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Confers with supervisor as requested for ideas or recommendations for improvements; helps department personnel on routine matters.
• Performs a variety of administrative secretarial tasks in support of department-specific operations and programs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities. High School diploma or GED and four (4) years clerical experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Experience with windows-based applications/programs with emphasis on Word and Excel.

Formal training or experience in personal computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software.

Ability to write, compose, punctuate, edit written material.

Ability to interact with the public in a pleasant way and handle multiple tasks at the same time.

Must be able to maintain confidentiality.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Strong knowledge of grammatical construction techniques.

Proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint software and ability to work within standard database programs.

Excellent organizational skills, the ability to establish priorities, be adaptable, and multi-task oriented.

A high degree of accuracy and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks at the same time is required.

A high level of skill, advanced technical knowledge with Adobe Product suite and database management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics de scribed here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.

Ability to regularly use independent judgment, analysis, evaluation, creativity, and consultation to carry out instructions presented in written, oral, or diagram form.