About the position

The Truancy Officer plays a crucial role in ensuring maximum graduation rates for students at Hitchcock Independent School District by addressing and resolving absenteeism issues. This position involves collaboration with various stakeholders, including students, parents, school administrators, and community members, to investigate the causes of absences and implement strategies to promote school attendance and engagement.

Primary Purpose:

Serve as 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.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelors Required

Teacher/Principal Certification preferred

Special Knowledge/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

Experience:

2 years working in compliance, law enforcement, or with children or adults in a leadership role

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Attendance Enforcement

1. Investigate cases of unexcused and excessive absences and tardiness and enforce provisions of compulsory attendance laws. **
2. Issue warnings; file complaints against students, parents, or individuals with parental control in accordance with compulsory attendance laws, Texas Education Code, and board policy; and refer to appropriate court.**
3. Implement truancy prevention measures in accordance with state regulations.**
4. Impose individual student behavior improvement plans, and school-based community service or refer to counseling, community-based services, or other services aimed at a addressing a student’s truancy.**
5. Investigate cases of suspected drop out and retrieve unreturned textbooks and other school property when appropriate.
6. Interpret and communicate compulsory attendance laws and school policy to parents and students.

Consultation

1. Confer regularly with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff as well as parents 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.
2. Work closely with counselors, teachers, and other staff to identify and counsel students at risk of dropping out, as well as their parents.
3. Confer with students in matters of attendance and tardiness and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance.
4. Conduct home visits and parent conferences on student truancy and attendance problems. Make parents aware of compulsory attendance laws and school policy for parents and students.
5. Represent the school district in court hearings resulting from attendance problems. Maintain contact and act as liaison to local law enforcement agencies and courts in the area of student truancy.

Administration

1. 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.**
2. Implement and comply with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the area of student attendance. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
3. Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
4. Communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents.

Other

1. Administer oaths and serve legal process.**
2. Transport suspended students home as needed.
3. Maintain confidentiality.
4. Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.

General Employee Requirements:

1. Support and align work with the mission, vision, and beliefs of the district.
2. Follow and support board policies in areas of related responsibility.
3. Ensure district resources are managed effectively to maximize resources for student learning.
4. Actively participate in ongoing development to improve work quality and district contribution.
5. Model integrity, work ethic, and professionalism as a suitable example for HISD students.
6. Participate in professional development to improve skills related to job assignment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment

Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)

Environment: Work inside and outside; frequent districtwide travel to students’ homes

Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours

* The superintendent and peace officers shall perform the duties of attendance officer in districts where an attendance officer has not been designated by the board of trustees. (See Policy FED (LEGAL.))

**Texas Education Code §25.091—Powers and Duties of School Attendance Officer and Texas Education Code §25.0915—Truancy Prevention Measures; Referral and Filing Requirement.

***Grant funded position contingent on availability of funds.

Salary : $60,000 - $85,000