Skilled Trades Office Manager

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! We are proud to have received the Great Colleges to Work For honor for 12 consecutive years, 2009-2020.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

The Office Manager for the Skilled Trades Department provides comprehensive administrative, secretarial, and recordsmanagement support to ensure smooth daily operations across workforce programs such as HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Welding, Mechatronics, Automotive, Manufacturing, Construction Management and Building Automation. This role is the central hub for faculty, students, apprentices, and industry partners, maintaining efficient office systems and supporting compliance, scheduling, and departmental coordination.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, trade-oriented environment.

* Department Operations Coordination - Manage daily office workflow, coordinate faculty schedules, maintain departmental calendars, and support program leads with administrative tasks.

* Records & Compliance Management - Maintain accurate student, certification, and apprenticeship records; ensure compliance with FERPA, OSHA training documentation, credential tracking, and institutional retention policies.

* Secretarial & FrontOffice Support - Provide professional reception services, manage phone/email communication, draft correspondence, prepare meeting agendas, and take minutes for departmental meetings.

* Program & Instructor Support - Assist faculty with course materials, room scheduling, lab access coordination, and communication with students and industry partners.

* Budget, Purchasing & Inventory - Process purchase orders, track expenditures, maintain supply inventories, and coordinate procurement of tools, PPE, and lab materials.

* Data Entry & Reporting - Enter data into SIS, LMS, and workforce systems; generate reports for enrollment, certification progress, attendance, and grantfunded program requirements.

* Event & Project Coordination - Support department events such as advisory board meetings, career fairs, employer visits, and student credentialing sessions.

* Office Technology Proficiency - Strong skills in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, SIS/ LMS platforms, and digital filing systems.

* Communication & Customer Service - Ability to communicate professionally with students, faculty, employers, and community partners.

* Organization & Time Management - Skilled at managing multiple deadlines, interruptions, and highvolume workflow in a handson trades environment.

* Attention to Detail - High accuracy in documentation, compliance tracking, and data entry.

* Confidentiality & Professionalism - Understanding of FERPA, privacy standards, and sensitive student information handling.

* Associate degree in Business Administration, Office Technology, or related field

* Two years of administrative or office management experience

* Experience with records management and customer service

* Proficiency with office software and digital organizational systems

* Experience in higher education, workforce development, or skilled trades programs

* Familiarity with OSHA documentation, credential tracking, or apprenticeship records

* Experience supporting faculty or instructional programs

* Knowledge of procurement processes and inventory systems

This role operates in a dynamic Skilled Trades setting that includes labs, shops, classrooms, and industrypartner interactions. The Office Manager is often the first point of contact for students entering trades programs and plays a key role in maintaining a professional, organized, and safetyaware department culture.

Howard Community College offers competitive salaries, excellent medical and dental selections, tuition reimbursement and paid leave programs. As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to HCC policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for work at HCC and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

Please complete the entire HCC Employment Application (Candidates will be evaluated on completing the college's application in full).

Howard Community College ( HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.