Attendance Officer

Please note, this position will office at Smithson Valley High School.

Primpary Purpose:

Serves as a district attendance officer.* Provides assistance to campus personnel in interpreting and enforcing compulsory attendance laws and resolving truancy, excessive absences, and tardiness problems. Serves as district liaison to parents, law enforcement agencies, and court personnel.

Education / Certification:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or related field is required.

Special Knowledge / Skills:

1. Knowledge of state compulsory attendance laws. 
2. Ability to interpret laws, policies, and procedures. 
3. Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
4. Ability to operate personal computer to develop databases and word processing. 
5. Ability to travel district wide to conduct home visits and visit sites where truant students have been reported to the district.

Experience / Other Requirements:

1. Two years of experience working in compliance, law enforcement, or with children or adults in a leadership role. 

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Investigates cases of unexcused and excessive absences and tardiness and enforce provisions of compulsory attendance laws.**
2. Issues warnings; files complaints against students, parents, or individuals with parental control in accordance with compulsory attendance laws, Texas Education Code, and board policy; and refers to appropriate court.**
3. Interprets and communicates compulsory attendance laws and school policy to parents and students. 
4. Represents the school district in court hearings resulting from attendance problems.
5. Investigates cases of those suspected of dropping out.
6. Investigates cases of questionable residency.
7. Investigates cases of questionable home school students.
8. Works closely with Central Office and Campus Administrators in order to actively address the district’s dropout and non-completer rates issues.
9. Confers with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy.
10. Works closely with counselors, teachers, and other staff to identify and counsel students at risk of dropping out, as well as their parents.
11. Confers with students in matters of attendance and tardiness and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance.
12. Conducts home visits and parent conferences on student truancy and attendance problems.
13. Maintains contact and acts as liaison to local law enforcement agencies and courts in the area of student truancy.
14. Assists with attendance for credit issues.
15. Compiles, maintains, and files all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including records of all cases investigated and reports required by the commissioner of education.**
16. Implements and complies with policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education rules, and local board policy in the area of student attendance.
17. Complies with all district and campus routines and regulations.
18. Maintains a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
19. Communicates effectively with colleagues, students, and parents.
20. Administers oaths and serves legal process.**
21. Maintains confidentiality.
22. Participates in professional development to improve skills related to job assignment
23. Responsible for properly maintaining district records, adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance and learning the records retention schedule for department records.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.