] Office of Human Resources - Montgomery County Public Schools

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT → CLASSIFICATION → PROGRAMS SECRETARY

Sorted by job title: A - C | D - H | I - Q | R - Z

Programs Secretary

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CLASS DESCRIPTION
OFFICIAL TITLE: Program Secretary CODE: 4125 SQ/OQ: Optimal Qualified
WORKING TITLE: Programs Secretary GRADE: 13 MONTHS: 12
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF CLASSIFICATION: Under general supervision, performs varied office and secretarial work for a program or equivalent unit. The class consists of positions serving as the principal office support for professional staff at the program level. This level deals with matters requiring research or analysis, and consideration of multiple variables before acting. Employees exercise significant initiative after familiarization with the work, terminology and procedures by performing and following through independently on a variety of matters requiring an understanding of the programs services and related organizational units and functions of MCPS. Employees work with multiple professionals and the public on a daily basis and maintain complex schedules, timelines, databases, and product distribution responsibilities. Work of this class may vary, depending upon the program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Considerable knowledge of business English, general vocabulary, spelling, and arithmetic; considerable knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment. Ability to maintain confidential student files, program records/databases, and assemble and organize data and prepare reports from such records. Ability to provide timely and accurate office support services to program staff, compose routine office correspondence, consolidate diagnostic information from assessors, develop and maintain assessment schedules with parents and staff members, and organize and distribute diagnostic reports and referrals to multiple MCPS offices. Ability to operate word processing, database, spreadsheet, IEP programs/systems, the HUB, and Synergy and other relevant systems, and complete complex tasks in each program/system. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and demonstrate excellent human relations and interpersonal skills. Skill in the use computers and of other office equipment. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS).
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE: High School or GED diploma required. One year experience in performing responsible secretarial, fiscal, and student residency support work in a busy office environment. Other combinations of education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.
CERTIFICATE AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Positions typically require sustained operation of keyboard devices.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: (Special requirements such as lifting heavy objects and frequent climbing.)
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: (Frequent overtime or night work required, etc.) May be required to use personal vehicle with applicable mileage reimbursement.
OVERTIME ELIGIBLE: Yes

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(The job duties listed are typical examples of the work performed by this job classification. Not all duties assigned are included, nor are all duties listed performed in every office.)

Performs various administrative and secretarial duties necessary to manage a program.
Schedules and maintains the calendar, commits program staff to appointments, and coordinates with other units, divisions and departments, as well as other stakeholders, particularly parents of young children.
Follows up with phone/e-mail/letter as necessary.
Collaborates with program staff to develop, proofread, and consolidate diagnostic information into cohesive team assessment reports for use in the special education process within legal timelines.
Retrieves, receives, logs-in, screens and distributes program mail to staff members.
Answers a high volume of telephone calls and inquiries, resolves issues and/or takes messages, screening and routing calls to appropriate supervisors and staff as needed.
Obtains required information from parents to complete enrollment in MCPS; completes MCPS enrollment process in Synergy for children receiving program services.
Enrolls, withdraws/transfers, queries Synergy database student body; accesses special education IEP system to monitor timelines, manage records, and complete forms.
Verifies enrollment documentation, (Montgomery County residency, immunizations, birth certificate, custody, previous school records, and COSA (Change of School Assignment).
Enters student information into program database and maintains database records, updating information as appropriate; maintains documentation of cancellations, rescheduling, and parental withdrawal from services and generates reports as needed.
Processes, assembles, maintains, and transports program and confidential student files.
Researches, compiles and analyzes information for reports as needed by program staff.
Initiates actions to keep program staff informed of operations and follows up.
Distributes files and other student records to multiple MCPS offices for follow-up in the special education process.
Maintains and follows up on correspondence as assigned, including monitoring of due dates, routing to reviewers and obtaining signatures within designated timelines.
Receives and screens visitors to the office, and answers inquiries regarding operations and/or services; assists visitors in completing required paperwork to access services.
Produces a variety of documents (letters, memos, merge database records, mailing lists, reports, charts, graphs and tables, team evaluations, announcements, informational flyers, forms, etc.) from rough draft copy, verbal instructions, and brief notes using current office software products.
Maintains electronic data files of documents using current office software products following established procedures for creating program databases, backup files, purging and storing files and creating reports.
Maintains program accounts using manual or computerized recordkeeping systems.
Orders and maintains capital and operating budget accounts related to purchasing and outside vendors using the current financial management software (i.e. HUB), as needed.
Maintains and inventories office supplies and arranges for equipment service.
Maintains office or unit records for program and process actions.
Collects and processes timesheets and leave slips and/or posts payroll in Lawson, as needed.
Arranges for equipment and building service assistance.
Organizes and coordinates translation services when required.
Monitors mandated timelines for assessments, reports, and IEP meetings and informs program staff of upcoming deadlines.
Performs related work as required.

Class Established: 7/2009
Date(s) Revised: 11/2024
Last Reviewed: 9/2017

This description may be changed at any time.