Hybrid School Attendance Officer  na Sussex County Public Schools

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Job Title:                     School Attendance Officer 

Department:               High School

Report
s To:  
Building Principal and Director of Support Services

Job Summary

The School Attendance Officer is responsible for monitoring and enforcing school and state attendance laws and policies to improve student attendance rates and reduce truancy and chronic absenteeism. This role involves working collaboratively with students, parents, school administrators, teachers, and community agencies to address attendance issues and provide support that promotes student success.

Essential Duties

• Attendance Monitoring and Enforcement:
  • Monitor student attendance data, identify patterns of chronic absenteeism and truancy, and investigate unexcused absences.
  • Contact parents/guardians via phone, mail, or in-person home visits to address attendance concerns and inform them of their legal responsibilities.
  • Initiate and manage legal proceedings, including preparing and submitting referrals to the School Social Worker
  • Enforce local and state compulsory attendance laws and district policies.
• Intervention and Support:
  • Develop and implement intervention strategies and action plans to address individual student attendance issues.
  • Connect students and families with appropriate school-based and community resources, such as social workers, counselors, family service agencies, and other support programs to identify and resolve underlying problems that contribute to poor attendance (e.g., behavioral, social, or family issues).
  • Coordinate with school staff (teachers, counselors, administrators) to ensure a comprehensive approach to attendance improvement.
• Communication and Collaboration:
  • Conduct and participate in attendance meetings.
  • Serve as a liaison between the school, students, parents, and community agencies.
  • Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, both verbally and in writing, to explain attendance policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
  • Conduct in-school and evening meetings with students, parents, and school staff to discuss attendance issues and develop solutions as needed.
  • Train and educate school staff on best practices for monitoring attendance and addressing chronic absenteeism.
• Record-Keeping and Reporting:
  • Maintain accurate and confidential records of all attendance cases, communications, and interventions.
  • Prepare and submit regular reports on attendance data, truancy trends, and program effectiveness to school and district administration.
  • Analyze data to make recommendations for program improvement and policy changes.
  • Perform all other duties as directed by the direct supervisor or district level administration.

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor's degree is required. 
• Experience: Experience working with school-aged children and/or families is essential. Experience in a related field such as social work, counseling, or law enforcement is highly desirable.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Thorough knowledge of state and local laws and regulations regarding compulsory school attendance and child welfare.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with a diverse population of students, parents, and colleagues.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to handle difficult situations with patience and tact.
  • Proficiency in using computer software for record-keeping, data analysis, and report generation.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Other Requirements:

• A valid driver's license is required for home visits and court appearances.
• Successful completion of a criminal history check and other background clearances.

Terms of

Employment:               10.5 months; Full Time; 210 days

Evaluation:                  Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Sussex County School Board’s policy on Evaluation of Certified Personnel.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The Sussex County School Board is an equal opportunity employer; as such, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, political affiliation, handicapping condition, or sex in its educational programs or employment.  No person shall be denied employment solely because of any impairment which is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position or program to which application has been made.