JOB SUMMARY

Work to improve student attendance through a multi-tiered system of support in collaboration with parents, school social workers, school administrators, counselors, and community agencies. Represent the School Division in judicial proceedings to enforce compulsory school attendance laws and other provisions of the Code of Virginia. Case-manage selected students found to have been a Child in Need of Supervision or Services.  11 month or 12 month position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to, the following functions/tasks:

• At the start of each school year receive lists of students who are “no shows” i.e. enrolled in a school, but fail to attend school at the start of the school year. The Attendance Officer shall attempt to make contact with parents through phone calls and home visits to ascertain the reasons for the nonattendance of their children. Documenting the contact and information learned as needed; 
• Notify the appropriate school official of either the student’s anticipated school of attendance, new school location and name, or home instruction or religious exemption status. Verify the school attendance or home instruction or religious exemption status as provided by parent; 
• Work with the School Division’s Home School Coordinator, filing court petitions as needed on parents who fail to meet the proper home school academic requirements;
• Take and investigate reports of school-age children and youth not attending school from county social workers, neighbors, family members, law enforcement, or other persons. Make contact with parents through phone calls and home visits to ascertain the reasons for the nonattendance of their children in Culpeper County Public Schools. Document the information gathered and communicate it as needed; 
• Represent the School Division in judicial proceedings to enforce compulsory school attendance laws and other provisions of the Code of Virginia. 
• File violations of court orders, educational neglect petitions, and show causes against parents who are not in compliance with orders of the Juvenile & Domestic court; hearings, truancy hearings and court hearings as necessary; 
• Case-manage selected students found to have been a Child in Need of Supervision or Services. Work with the Family Assessment and Planning Team (F.A.P.T) and service providers to provide appropriate interventions and services.  
• Receive and review “Attendance Improvement Plans” (AIPs) written by school administrators and counselors for the essential elements conducive to improved school attendance and provide feedback to administrators and counselors as to the quality of the AIPs created ; 
• Attend Family Assessment and Planning Tea (FAPT), Student Assistance Program (SAP), transition, re-enrollment, attendance improvement, disciplinary, or other meetings as requested; 
• Monitor students’ attendance who are  receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and communicate to Culpeper Human Services as needed; 
• Utilize the student database management system to document, locate, and use information related to the student or parents; 
• Maintain, locate, analyze, and distribute student attendance data; 
• Attend conferences, in-services, and read professional literature to enhance your knowledge and skills; 
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with students, parents, service providers, juvenile court officials, and School Division staff; 
• Review the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry and cross reference the registry for any sex offenders who share a residence with a student. Notify sex offenders by letter of the School Policy related to prohibiting their presence on school property;
• Receive notifications of Confidential Court Petitions from the Department of Juvenile Justice, informing principals and the Executive Director of Student Services of the petition; conduct follow-ups communications with Court Services Officers as needed;
• Receive notification of Court Dispositions of Criminal Charges, informing principals and the Executive Director of Student Services of the disposition;
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Services. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Work experience in juvenile court services, adult probation, child protective services, or law enforcement; or
• Bachelor’s degree in the fields of Criminal Justice or Human Services.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Skill in using Microsoft Word and Excel (or similar Google products) for creating correspondence and spreadsheets of information;
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills; 
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with students, parents, school staff, service providers, court officials, attorneys; and community agency personnel
• Possess good organizational skills.
• Have knowledge of or the ability to learn School Board policies and provisions of the Code of Virginia related to school attendance.  
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn court proceedings, court petitions; juvenile detention procedures; the Virginia Children’s Services Act

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to provide own transportation and have a valid driver’s license. 
• Responsibilities may extend to scheduled school breaks or beyond typical work-day hours. 
• Maintaining a log of days and hours worked and miles driven is required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is typically performed in an office, courthouse, homes, agencies, and schools.  Frequent sitting, use of a keyboard, walking, or standing. Other limited physical activities may be required. Travel to court, schools, student homes, community agencies or service providers in the county. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities;

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment exposes the employee to . the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions.  Regular direct contact with School Division staff, other professionals in the community, students, and parents is required.   

EVALUATION:

The supervisor will evaluate performance on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities.