Truancy Specialist

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

Brown Academy is a PreK-5 school located on the campus of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Our school nurtures student creativity, sparks imagination, and encourages learning through design thinking and project based learning. Through these processes, we teach our students to become effective thinkers, collaborators and designers who are empowered with skills for the future. Our strong collaborative culture sets our school apart as our faculty works successfully to meet the needs of all of our students.

We are looking for teachers who are creative and reflective. Our teachers need to possess strong interpersonal skills that allow them to build relationships with students, parents and colleagues. Additionally, teaching candidates should have a deep understanding of instructional best practices and excellent classroom management and organizational skills.

• Identifies students at risk for truancy and aids in the enforcement of laws and board policies relating to student attendance.
• Investigates all suspected cases of truancy as referred by administrators and reports back on the results of investigations. Such investigations shall be conducted as necessary, day or evening, and shall include personal contact with the guardian. The truant officer shall attempt to discover the reason for the absence and advise both the student and parent concerning attendance laws.
• Implements and complies with federal and state laws, state and local school board policy in the area of student attendance. Initiates the petition proceedings when necessary to adhere to Tennessee statutes concerning school enrollment and attendance.
• Interacts with all stakeholders in a professional and respectful manner.
• Attends court hearings. Provides monitoring of all petitions until resolved. Processes truancy petitions through the court for habitual offenders and represents the district at such proceedings.
• Confers regularly with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy. Works closely with school personnel concerning students who are frequently tardy and who have not responded to normal efforts. Confers with students in matters of attendance and tardiness and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Acts as a liaison with various social agencies to which students may be referred.
• Provides residency checks of students as requested by the administrators or school principals.
• Moves about area, when necessary, during school hours and provides immediate service to pupils. Returns those found truant. Makes home visits or community contacts when necessary to provide appropriate intervention in truancy matters. Maintains good public relations and diplomacy whenever entering the home of a student.
• Submits a written report to the supervisor on a monthly basis, or as requested by the supervisor, concerning student referrals, investigations, court proceedings, and outcome of each. Submits mileage documentation to the supervisor.
• Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
• Works collaboratively with administration and stakeholders.
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Uses computers and other technology to enter and access information related to essential job functions.
• May operate a motor vehicle to conduct various work activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Education/Experience:

• Four-year college degree in a relevant area such as education, guidance, student services or criminal justice preferred. Three (3) years of successful experience with prevention or intervention programs related to education support or truancy prevention/reduction; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills.
• Demonstrates good judgment when confronted with angry, emotional students, parents, or custodial parents.