Job Title: Student Success – Truancy
Reports To: Director of Indian Education
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serve as a district attendance officer and truancy prevention facilitator.
- Provide assistance to campus personnel in interpreting and enforcing compulsory attendance laws and resolving truancy, excessive absences, and tardiness problems.
- Serve as district liaison to parents, law enforcement agencies, and court personnel by fostering collaborative relationships with the goal to improve student attendance and enhance student achievement.
- The essential functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities noted herein; however, this is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions found in this job description.
- Investigate cases of unexcused and excessive absences and tardiness and enforce provisions of compulsory attendance laws.
- Issue warnings; file complaints against students, parents, or individuals with parental control in accordance with compulsory attendance laws, Texas Education Code, board policy, and district procedures; and refer to the appropriate court after exhausting all available options.
- Assist campuses with the implementation of truancy prevention measures in accordance with state regulations and district procedures and practices.
- Support with the implementation of campus or court issued student attendance intervention/improvement plans and progress monitoring of student attendance goals.
- Refer students and/or families to community-based services, counselors/social workers, or other services aimed at addressing a student’s chronic absenteeism.
- Investigate cases of suspected drop out and retrieve unreturned textbooks and other school property when appropriate.
- Meet with campus attendance review teams, case managers, families or other court appointed individuals to discuss effective truancy prevention measures.
- Confer regularly with teachers, counselors, social workers, campus administrators and other staff, as well as parents and families, to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy. Counsel students at risk of dropping out and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance.
- Conduct home visits and parent conferences on student truancy and attendance problems. Educate parents and families by making them aware of compulsory attendance laws and school policy for parents and students.
- Represent the school district in court hearings resulting from attendance related issues. Maintain contact and act as a liaison to local agencies and courts in the area of student truancy.
- Assist campus staff and administrators in promoting district initiatives to improve overall student attendance.
- Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required, including records of all cases investigated and reports required by the commissioner of education.
- Implement and comply with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and local policy in the area of student attendance. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
- Maintain confidentiality while promoting effective communication with various stakeholders.
- Follow district and campus safety protocols, emergency procedures, routines and regulations.
- Work under the direction of the District Attendance Manager and supervision of the Director of Student Services.
- Administer oaths and serve legal processes.
- Transport students for attendance/truancy related issues and in accordance with district policy and procedures.
- Participate in professional development to improve skills related to job assignment or as designated by the Director of Student Services.
- Perform other duties as assigned by district administration.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Knowledge of state compulsory attendance laws
- Knowledge of juvenile justice system and ability to present truancy cases to the court
- Ability to interpret laws, policies, and procedures
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to operate personal computer to develop databases and do word processing
- Ability to travel districtwide to conduct home visits and visit sites where truant students have been reported to the district.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- Serve as a training officer for newly hired Attendance Officers.
- Attendance Officers are not responsible for supervision or evaluation of other district employees including fellow Attendance Officers.
Qualifications:
- High School diploma or GED plus college hours preferred.
- Two years working in compliance, law enforcement, or with children or adults in a leadership role
Physical Requirements:
Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), climbing stairs, reaching, squatting, kneeling, having full mobility of fingers/hands, and moving light furniture may be required, unless ADA accommodations have been mutually agreed on and does not create an undue hardship upon the district.
Safety and Health:
Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions (blood borne pathogens, body fluids, etc.)
Equipment/Material Handled:
Must know how to properly operate, or be willing to learn to operate, multi-media equipment including current technology as needed.
Work Environment:
Must be able to work within various degrees of noise and temperature. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision. After hours work may be required. May work under stressful conditions on occasion.
Terms of Employment:
237 Days Contract
* All BPS Positions are Subject to Funding