Truancy Officer

PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Serve as district attendance officer. 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, Justice of the Peace and court personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification
TEA certification requirements High School Graduate or GED
Must have a current Texas Peace Officer's license issued by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standard and Education
Must meet all requirements for licensing by T.C.L.E.O.S.E. Must hold a current valid Texas Class "C" driver's license Must be bondable by a standard bonding company
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of state compulsory attendance laws 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 district-wide to conduct home visits and visits sites where truant students have
been reported to the district

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Attendance Enforcement

• 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, and board policy; and refer to appropriate court.
• Interpret and communicate compulsory attendance laws and school policy to parents and students.
• Works directly with the Justice of the Peace and court personnel.
• Represent the school district in court hearings resulting from attendance problems.
• Investigate cases of suspected drop out; retrieve textbooks and school property.

Consultation

• Confer regularly with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy.
• Work closely with counselors, teachers, and other staff to identify and counsel students at risk of dropping out, as well as their parents.
• Confer with students in matters of attendance and tardiness and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance.
• Conduct home visits and parent conferences on student truancy and attendance problems.
• Confer regularly with the Office of the Justice of the Peace in the area of student truancy.
• Maintain contact and act as liaison to local law enforcement agencies and courts in the area of student truancy.
• Will do follow-up on court rulings and depositions as directed by the Justice of the Peace.

Administration

• Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized 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 board policy in the area of student attendance.
• Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
• Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, students, and parents.

Other

• Administer oaths and serve legal process.
• Transport suspended students home as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Participate in professional development to improve skills and related to job assignment.
• Performs all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or to others.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

EQUIPMENT USED:
Radios, handcuffs, department vehicles, duty weapon

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Maintain emotional control under stress; frequent district-wide travel; occasional walking; running and climbing.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Nondiscrimination Statement
Edinburg CISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX issues: Robert Vina, r.vina@ecisd.us ,Coordinator of Personnel/Legal Issues, ADA/504 issues: Sofia Hinojosa, sofia.hinojosa@ecisd.us , Director of Student & Social Services, 411 N. 8th Avenue, Edinburg, TX 78539, (956) 289-2300.
Edinburg CISD no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad o edad en sus programas o actividades y brinda igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y otros grupos juveniles designados. La siguiente persona ha sido designada para manejar consultas sobre las políticas de no discriminación Title IX issues: Robert Vina, r.vina@ecisd.us ,Coordinator of Personnel/Legal Issues, ADA/504 issues: Sofia Hinojosa, sofia.hinojosa@ecisd.us , Director of Student & Social Services, 411 N. 8th Avenue, Edinburg, TX 78539, (956) 289-2300.