Truancy Officer in Gary, Indiana at Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter School

12 Month Position

Responsibilities

The Truancy Officer shall support the educational process by ensuring students develop and maintain good attendance practices and that parents support the attendance requirements of the District.

The Truancy Officer Shall Focus on:

Provide technical assistance to parents in developing the skills needed to function effectively in a working relationship among home, school and community.Initiate attendance referrals for students with chronic absenteeismMake visits to students' residences to develop healthy, positive family attitudes toward academic success, attendance at school and student growth and development and maintain records.Advise parents of their legal responsibility to ensure school attendance.Complete reports of any noted conditions that may be a detriment to the safety, welfare or education of the student.Work closely with building principals in the monitoring of individual student's attendance in school, academic, work and extracurricular activities.Confer regularly with school staff regarding students who are chronically absent/tardy.Collate monthly attendance reports from all schools.Counsel students regarding absenteeism and tardiness to gain their cooperation and identify any underlying problems that may warrant intervention by other professional staff members.Submit written reports to building principals and the Family Coordinator regarding the necessity of court actions against habitual offenders. Maintain appropriate records in each school to which the Family Coordinator is assigned.Obtain the signature of parent or guardian on all five day legal notices.Return all copies of five day legal notices within ten days of issuance.Investigate challenges to students' legal residences in accordance with law and Board policy.Participate in appropriate professional development and attend all required meetings.Protect confidentiality of records and information gained as part of exercising professional duties and use discretion in sharing such information within legal confines.Adhere to Indiana school law, State Board of Education rules and regulations, Board of Education policies and regulations and school regulations and proceduresIdentify cases for Municipal Court action. Document all facts for every case.Attend Municipal Court to present evidence related to attendance cases.Initiate Juvenile Court complaints and attend court to present evidence and testimony related to the case in question.Perform other related duties as assigned by the Manager of School Operations or Chief Schools Officers.QUALIFICATIONS:

Hold a High School DiplomaHold and maintain a valid driver's license with no serious violationsHave use of a vehicle for transportationBe community oriented, preferably with experience in youth programs or school activities.Demonstrate ability to work well with the community at large, including parents and students.Demonstrate ability to work independently.Have excellent integrity and demonstrate good moral character and initiative.Exhibit a personality that demonstrates enthusiasm and interpersonal skills to relate well with all key stakeholdersDemonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing, including Standard English usage, grammar and vocabulary.Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status by completing Federal Form I-9 in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.Provide evidence that health is adequate to fulfill the job functions and responsibilities with reasonable accommodation in accordance with Indiana codeMeet such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Superintendent may find appropriate and acceptable.