REPORTS TO:  Administrator, Campus Ops 

PAY GRADE:  Paraprofessional 050 (215 days) 

DEPARTMENT:  Campus Operations 

DATE REVISED:  June 2013

PRIMARY PURPOSE:      

Serve as the district’s Attendance Officer in all matters pertaining to school attendance for a cluster of campuses at the Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School Levels. Provide assistance cluster wide to campus personnel in interpreting and enforcing compulsory attendance laws and resolving truancy, excessive absences, and tardiness problems. Serve as district’s cluster liaison to parents, law enforcement agencies, and court personnel. Serve actively as a stakeholder in all matters pertaining to the effective operation of the Irving ISD Compulsory Attendance Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Education/Certification: 

High School Diploma or GED

Post High School Education Highly Preferred

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 presentations, databases and do word processing
• Ability to travel district wide to conduct campus and home visits as well as sites where truant students have been reported to the district
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with other officers regarding district goals and implementation plans for improving attendance rates
• Ability to conduct and carry out sensitive supervisory assignments and directives with decorum and respect of all stakeholders

Minimum Experience: 

• At least three years working in compliance, law enforcement, or with children or adults in a leadership role
• Presenting and defending the school district in cases before the County Truancy Courts
• Conducting training and/or public speaking before an audience for presenting information as well as for professional development purposes
• Familiar with the job descriptions and duties of campus-based and at-large Attendance Officers in the Irving Independent School District
• Knowledgeable of the policies and procedures that govern attendance in the Irving Independent School District

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Attendance Enforcement

1. Investigate cases of unexcused and excessive absences and tardies and enforce provisions of compulsory attendance laws
2. Issue warnings and filing 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. Interpret and communicate compulsory attendance laws and school policy to parents and students
4. Represent the school district in court hearings resulting from attendance problems
5. Investigate cases of suspected drop out; retrieve textbooks and/or any other school property

Consultation

1. Confer regularly with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy
2. Work closely with administrators, counselors, teachers, and other staff to help 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. Develop a consistent cluster wide effort in conducting home visits and parent conferences on student truancy and attendance problems
5. Maintain contact and act as liaison to local law enforcement agencies and courts in the area of student truancy

District & Cluster Wide Administration and Clerical Duties

1. Assist as contributing member of the Compulsory Attendance Team in compiling, maintaining, and filing all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including records of all cases investigated and reports required by the commissioner of education and the Compulsory Attendance Laws
2. Assist as contributing member of the Compulsory Attendance Team in the implementation and compliance efforts regarding policies established by federal and state laws, State Board of Education, and local board policy in the area of student attendance
3. Assist as contributing member Compulsory Attendance Team in Complying with all district and assigned campus routines and regulations
4. Assist as contributing member of the Compulsory Attendance Team in creating a proactive framework to help maintain a positive and effective relationship with campus administrators and other personnel as well as central office staff
5. Assist and contribute in the efforts within the Compulsory Attendance Team to improve and maintain communication effectively with colleagues, students, and parents

 Other

1. Assist and serve legal process as it pertain to guardianships, affidavits of residency, Grand-parent care forms and any other type of legal documentation regarding Attendance
2. Maintain confidentiality regarding all matters pertaining to internal district operations and proceedings
3. Participate in professional development to improve skills related to job assignment
4. Be willing to perform any and other duties as assigned by the Administrator for Campus Operations PK-12 as it pertain to schools, cluster and general district operations matters

SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITIES: 

            None

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:   Must maintain emotional control and exercise reasoning and problem solving skills while under stress. Must demonstrate ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written). Should be able to interpret procedures and analyze data for decision-making. Frequent in-district and occasional in-state or national travel. Occasional prolonged and irregular hours.

Safety:  Perform all duties in a safe and responsible manner.  Observe all safety precautions.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Contribute to the prevention of accidents and injuries by observing safety rules and District policy, practicing the principles and skills taught in safety training, wearing personal protective equipment as required, reporting injuries and incidences immediately to supervisor, and being proactive in the ongoing efforts to improve workplace safety.