HCPSS Careers and Opportunities
At HCPSS, we are powered by passionate, dedicated professionals who are driven to inspire growth, well-being, and excellence for all our students.
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Contact Us | Equal Opportunity
We are always looking for people who share our passion and dedication.
Whether you’re an experienced educator, a skilled administrator, or a support staff member eager to make a difference, HCPSS offers rewarding career opportunities in a collaborative and innovative environment.
With a commitment to excellence, diversity, and professional growth, we provide the resources and support needed for every employee to thrive. Explore how you can build a fulfilling career with us and be part of a school system that is hiring the best, retaining the best, and being the best.
Why Choose HCPSS
At HCPSS, we’re proud to have a long list of factors that set us apart as a place to work, grow and succeed, including:
- We are one of the top-performing school districts in Maryland and nationally
- We offer a comprehensive benefits package, featuring competitive salaries, paid annual, sick, and personal leave, wellness days, a pension, medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, as well as flexible spending accounts, retirement savings plans, life insurance and more.
- On average, HCPSS covers 85% of the medical plan cost for employees and for employees with dependents and families
- If you’ve been employed by another Maryland school system, you may be able to transfer your unused sick leave to HCPSS.
- There is no longer a cap on the Entry Step for experienced teachers coming from outside of HCPSS. (A step is the row of the salary scale on which a teacher is placed each year.)
- We provide a pay enhancement to teachers who earn and maintain National Board Certification.
- We provide ongoing professional learning opportunities for staff at all levels.
- We prioritize employee well-being, offering an Employee Assistance Program, free counseling and support services, and assorted activities to support employee wellness throughout the year.
- We value diversity, equity and inclusion and strive to create welcoming, safe, affirming and supportive environments for all.
- We offer generous leave of absence options including medical, study/professional, and childrearing.
- We offer tuition reimbursement to support eligible staff in continued learning and meeting licensing requirements.
- We have strong relationships with more than 1,000 community partners, who provide an extensive array of resources and services to our schools.
Complementing the many benefits HCPSS has to offer is our convenient location. Situated between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Howard County not only provides ready access to all those cities have to offer; it is home to a host of amenities and attractions.
Learn more about why Howard County is a great place to live and work.
Come Meet Us
We’d love to have the opportunity to meet you–and to have you get to know us better! Join us at one of our upcoming recruiting events.
If you are considering applying for an administrative leadership role within the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) for the 2026–2027 school year, the offices of Human Resources and Leadership, Organizational, and Cultural Development are offering two optional seminars to support your application process. These sessions are designed for individuals interested in Principal, Assistant Principal, and Athletics Activities Manager positions.
To register for either session or to ask questions, please contact Scott Ruehl, Director of Leadership, Organizational, and Cultural Development, at scott_ruehl@hcpss.org.
Application Seminar (Virtual)
This session covers the recruitment and hiring timeline, as well as specific details regarding the application process.
Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Interview Preparation Seminar (In-Person)
This session provides an overview of the interview process, including preparation strategies, tips, and practice opportunities.
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Location: HCPSS Boardroom at Central Office, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD
Apply Now
If you’re excited to make a difference in the lives of students and grow your career with Howard County Public Schools, we’re ready for you! Our application process is simple, and our team is here to support you every step of the way. Explore our open positions, find the perfect fit, and take the next step toward a rewarding career with HCPSS today!
Please note, employment background checks are required for all employees. 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.
To help you find your next role with the Howard County Public School System, we use two different types of job postings. Here is how to choose the right one for you:Candidate Pools: One Application, Many Opportunities
If you are looking for a common school-based role—like a teacher, substitute, student assistant, or entry-level custodian—you will apply to a Candidate Pool.
How it benefits you: You only need to apply once to be visible to principals and supervisors across the entire county.
No Deadlines: These postings stay open year-round. You can apply whenever you are ready.
The Process: When a specific school has an opening, the principal or other supervisor can access everyone in this pool. By applying once, you are automatically considered for all current and future openings for that role across the entire county.
Best for: Job seekers who are looking to start immediately, are seeking new opportunities for the upcoming school year, or hope to be considered by multiple schools at once – this ensures your application is available to principals or other supervisors the moment a position becomes available.
Vacancies: Apply for a Specific Role
If you are looking for a specific role– like secretarial/clerical staff, custodial leads, grounds and maintenance roles, and central office professionals– you will apply to a Vacancy.
How it benefits you: You know exactly where the job is located and what the specific duties are. This allows you to tailor your application to a single team or department, making it easier to show why you are the perfect fit for that specific role.Strict Deadlines: These are posted for a limited time. Be sure to submit your application by the day before the closing date listed on the posting.
The Process: After the deadline, a recruiter reviews applications for that specific job to identify those that meet the advertised qualifications.
Best for: Job seekers who are ready to start a new role right now. Because these represent an active, immediate opening at a specific location, the hiring process begins as soon as the posting closes. If you see a Vacancy that matches your skills, don’t wait—apply before the closing date!
Learn about our hiring process for teachers. Information on the hiring process for other positions is forthcoming.
Interested in coaching an HCPSS athletics team? See our current coaching vacancies.
Learn More About HCPSS
There’s so much about HCPSS we’d like to share with you. Here are some helpful places to start:
- HCPSS 2024-2029 Strategic Plan: Read our new strategic plan, aimed at ensuring we are preparing every student to realize success and fulfill their dreams
- HCPSS Equity Framework: This framework serves as the foundation of HCPSS commitment to belonging, opportunity and access, instructional excellence, and engaged and inspired learners.
Contact Us
Ensuring an excellent candidate experience is our priority. Please contact us if there’s anything we can do to support you in your journey to becoming an HCPSS employee.
- General Human Resource Questions: humanresources@hcpss.org
- General Temporary Services Questions: temporary_services@hcpss.org
- Benefits Questions: benefits@hcpss.org
- All HCPSS Human Resources Contacts
- Coaching Vacancies Questions: Contact the school’s Athletics and Activities Manager
Additional Contact
HCPSS also can be found on LinkedIn
Equal Opportunity
The Howard County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy/Girl Scouts and other designated youth groups.
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1–800–421–3481.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
EEO Compliance and Investigations OfficerHoward County Public School System
10910 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
OELR@hcpss.org