Title	Truancy Officer (Secondary/Elementary)
Department	Student and Family Support Services
Reports To	Exectutive Director of Student and Family Support Services
Compensation	AP 501
Days	187	Revised 6/23/16

 
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
The Truancy Officer ensures maximum graduation rates of Judson ISD students by working directly with student services, campus administrators, students, parents and guardians, and the community to investigate, resolve, and eliminate absences.
 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Certification Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Valid Texas Driver’s License and proof of current insurance policy required at all times for vehicle used in conjunction with job
• Excellent driving record required
• Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50.00) paid by applicant.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License with a good driving record

 
Special Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of CPR and basic first aid
• Technology skills to include excellent command of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ability to learn additional software programs
• Knowledge of laws, statutes, educational codes, compliance requirements, procedures, and practices related to student attendance
• Excellent presentation skills, interpersonal skills, organization skills, and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and efficiently to complete time sensitive matters and meet multiple deadlines
• Proficient and excellent oral and written communication skills to include persuasive speaking abilities
• Dynamic team skills required in order to work collaboratively and productively with employees, students, parents and guardians, school board, the community, and other agencies

 
Experience

• Minimum two (2) years’ work experience in school or community programs mentoring and building relationships with school age children and young adults
• Family legal/crisis intervention and courtroom experience preferred

 

 
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

• Investigate absentee referrals, determines the cause of absence and reports findings to the school
• Promote positive interactions with students, schools, parents, guardians, and the community in order to promote school attendance and graduation rates
• Maintain confidentiality of situations and information
• Ensure that student behaviors are diffused and addressed accordingly
• Recognize and report hazards timely to ensure a safe learning and working environment
• Canvas District properties and community residences for students
• Contact and communicate with parents, guardians, students, and the community to promote school attendance and decrease absences
• Build relationships with parents, guardians, students, and the community to promote school attendance and to learn reasons/causes of student’s absence, and work to circumvent future absences
• Prepare written reports of student absenteeism, incidents, conducts investigations, and files required documentation at assigned campus
• Track and monitor all students in the attendance tracker that have been placed on the watch list and identifies students in violation of the compulsory attendance law
• Document all intervention activity in the attendance tracker for each student 
• Implement intervention strategies, which may include student visits on campuses, parent visits on campuses, phone calls to parents, ongoing effective communication with teachers and/or campus administrators
• Process all court documents upon request
• Attend court hearings and represents the Campus/District in all truancy legal matters
• Maintain ongoing and effective communications, verbally and through e-mails, in order to provide assistance with the recovery of all dropouts, non-completers, and no-shows
• Maintain daily activity log
• Participate in all community/campus “Attendance Initiative” programs
• Assist school administrators and law enforcement agencies during periods of student unrest
• Cooperate with Juvenile Court Services and other public agencies
• Respond to tips received from any and all sources regarding students not enrolled in school
• Report to juvenile authorities conditions concerning child abuse, neglect, hazardous health conditions or habitual truancy
• Conduct special field investigations as assigned.
• Meet with District Attendance coordinator on a weekly basis and as needed to address concerns, current practices and campus/department updates regarding attendance, truancy and dropouts
• Work independently and efficiently to complete time sensitive matters and multiple deadlines
• Participate in professional development activities to maintain current knowledge of personnel rules, regulations, and practices
• Participate in activities which support school/community goals and represent the district favorably to the general public
• Maintain a consistent professional demeanor and appearance
• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job

 
Supervisory Responsibilities: 
N/A
 
Equipment: 
Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, teacher resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to position.
 
Mental Demands:
Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written), interpret policies and procedures, reason, read, understand verbal instructions, analyze, differentiate, coordinate, compile, instruct, and maintain emotional control.
 
Physical Demands:
Ability to lift and/or carry moderate weight (15-44 pounds), sit, stand, walk, climb stairs or ladder, reach, repetitive hand motions, hear, speak, travel infrequently within the District and occasionally outside the district/county, may experience prolonged and irregular work hours, and work with frequent interruptions.
 
Environmental Factors:
Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise. Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.)
 
Nondiscrimination Statement:
The Judson School District considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, marital or veteran status, the presence of a medical condition, disability, or any other legally protected status.