Attendance Officer

Description

Position Information:

This is an Open Competitive recruitment to create an eligibility list for current and future openings. Incumbents interact with parents and guardians to fend off against absenteeism and tardiness, as directed by the District. Also, incumbents often work off-site, and may work under variable work schedule to accommodate District's needs. Successful candidates are expected to work (8) hours per day, five (5) days per week, and eleven (11) months per school year [note: work schedule may be adjusted to fit the District needs]. According to the most recent job analysis, the ideal candidates will demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Fact Finding
• Decision Making
• Professional/Technical Expertise
• Sensory Perception Skills
• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Flexibility
• Self Management
• Relationship Building

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, identifies, investigates and assists in resolving chronic student attendance problems; conducts address verifications; contacts and represents the District in interactions with students and parents or legal guardians regarding attendance-related issues; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

An incumbent in this class is responsible for outreach efforts to high-risk students (students with chronic and excessive absences) and their parents and legal guardians in order to facilitate improved attendance or to refer the student to alternative education programs or other agencies.

• Attendance Officer is distinguished from Attendance Technician in that an incumbent in the former class represents the District and spends the majority of time in the field making home or in-person visits to high-risk students and parents/guardians, conducting address verifications and patrolling assigned areas.

Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Represents the District in interactions with high-risk students and their parents or legal guardians regarding attendance-related issues; contacts, speaks with, counsels, advises and provides support and information to high-risk students and their parents or legal guardians via telephone, home visits, work-site visits or other in-person contacts to address chronic attendance issues; as appropriate, refers students and parents or guardians to other agencies, programs and schools to address underlying problems for chronic absenteeism; compiles and delivers pertinent information and materials to students and parents/guardians.

2. Via site visits, investigates and conducts address verifications to ensure that students are legally enrolled in the District in accordance with state laws, codes and regulations and District policies and rules; within established procedures, takes appropriate follow-up actions.

3. Communicates on an ongoing basis with and maintains complete and accurate documentation for school administrators and outside agency representatives; informs supervisor of results of chronic absenteeism investigations, address verifications and student and parent/guardian contacts and, as necessary, requests management input and approvals with regard to next steps; completes and distributes all required forms, reports and other documentation and maintains current, accurate and complete records, files and reports; in compliance with state laws, codes and regulations and District policies and practices and with appropriate management approvals, notifies and communicates with other relevant agencies, such as child abuse agencies, police, district attorney and probation officers.

4. As assigned on a school and geographic area basis, identifies, investigates and assists in resolving chronic attendance problems; generates and reviews student attendance reports and other attendance-related reports to identify chronic absentee problems; patrols assigned geographic areas; locates and monitors students who are not attending school; as appropriate, directs or transports truant students to school or home. Maintain appropriate documentation of all visits, interaction with parents or guardians, and students reconnecting to school.

Other Duties:

1. Perform clerical tasks associated with assigned duties and responsibilities.

2. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

1. State laws, codes and regulations and District policies, rules and practices pertaining to student attendance and the enforcement of attendance policies.

2. Basic law enforcement procedures.

3. Personal safety precautions and procedures in potentially volatile or dangerous situations.

4. Community resources and agencies available to address underlying causes for attendance problems.

5. Basic communication, facilitation and negotiation techniques and tactics.

6. Basic adolescent psychology and group dynamic theories and practices.

7. Various cultures and traditions of students served by the District.

Ability to:

1. Obtain and accurately assess information, some of which may be highly sensitive or confidential, via telephone contacts and site visits.

2. Observe and accurately interpret situations and individuals' actions and behaviors.

3. Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility.

4. Utilize listening, negotiation and facilitation skills in contacts with students and parents/guardians.

5. Read, interpret, apply and explain applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

6. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in English and a designated second language as needed.

7. Maintain detailed documentation.

8. Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity and judgment in dealing with a variety of people in a variety of situations.

9. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work, including students and parents/legal guardians.

10. Use of technology to complete assigned responsibilities.

Education, Training, and Experience:

1. Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent, or higher. Completion of post-secondary course work – from an accredited academic institution – is preferred.

2. Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience working with high-risk children or adolescents in an organized setting. Experience in a similar public agency is preferred.

3. Additional education – in a closely related field – may be considered in lieu of a portion of the required experience.

Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

1. A valid California Driver License

2. Valid automobile liability insurance coverage

3. DMV H6 full report

4. Valid First Aid and CPR certification

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical requirements indicated below are examples of the physical aspects that this position classification must perform in carrying out essential job functions.

• Lift, carry, push, pull, bend, twist, stoop, kneel, walk, run, and crawl.
• Perform light to intermediate physical exertion.
• Lift 25 pounds.
• Carry 15 pounds.
• Reach in all directions.
• Observe and report events using senses.
• Stand, sit and walk for extended periods of time.
• Work at a desk, outdoors, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
• Read, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, policies and procedures

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depend, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the selection authority to accommodate the limitation.

Examination Information

Examination Information:

After the evaluation of minimum qualifications, examination parts for this recruitment may include, but are not limited to the following: scored supplemental questionnaire, written exam, performance exam, oral appraisal interview, physical ability test, oral presentation, project assignment, etc.