Attendance Specialist

Springfield Public Schools•Springfield, MA

About The Position

GENERAL DUTIES: The Attendance Specialist reports directly to the Senior Administrator for Attendance, the Assistant Superintendent, and the building Principal. The Attendance Specialist is to support the Springfield Public Schools in addressing attendance at all levels and in the prevention and intervention for chronic students. The Specialist will communicate with the parent/guardian by telephone, mail or in person to address the attendance of students. The Specialist will also respond to telephone calls or other referrals or may go on location to intervene to support the student’s return to school. SPECIFIC DUTIES: Conducts daily follow-up on student attendance Absenteeism & Tardiness Attendance reports to staff Ensure accuracy of daily attendance & attendance reports including suspensions and outside placements Compiles aggregate attendance data to identify chronically absent students and assists with attendance processes and prioritizing cases Utilizes Data Warehouse and Power School reports Identifies and prioritizes cases Works with schools on attendance buy-backs Works with the schools on all aspects of attendance including Attendance Improvement Plans Participates in Home Visits as assigned Assists with any attendance matters Assists with the Home Visit Project Initiative as assigned Identifies students’ needs and assists school personnel in making the connections with the services needed Contacts social service providers when necessary including City Connects and the Department of Child and Family Services Assists Senior Administrator for Attendance with petitions to Springfield Juvenile Court when assigned Follows up where appropriate Serves as the attendance liaison between school and home Works directly with parents to identify and assist with student needs Participates in school-based Attendance Team meetings Is available as a Level 3 partner with STAT (Student Teacher Assistance Team) teams and supports the engagement of families Maintains accurate logs Logs phone calls, letters home, home visits Documents all efforts in Power School/Student Success Plan Completes Monthly Attendance Report for assigned school(s) Attends monthly District Attendance Team meetings Adheres to all Attendance Team protocols set by Senior Administrator for Attendance and Assistant Superintendent Conducts sweeps as assigned by Senior Administrator for Attendance or Assistant Superintendent Performs other duties as assigned by Senior Administrator for Attendance or Assistant Superintendent including school reassignment if necessary

Requirements

Associate’s Degree from and accredited college or university.
Three (3) years of successful employment experience working with school age students.
Ability to facilitate communication between teachers, students and parents.
Ability to collect and enter student attendance data and related information, including contributions to the Students Success Plans of attendance related issues.
Computer skills: Data analysis, email, report preparation, knowledge of Microsoft Office Systems.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including attendance at evening meetings.
95 percent attendance as referenced from previous employment position.
Own reliable transportation and cell phone (reimbursable).

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak and write in Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducts daily follow-up on student attendance
Absenteeism & Tardiness
Attendance reports to staff
Ensure accuracy of daily attendance & attendance reports including suspensions and outside placements
Compiles aggregate attendance data to identify chronically absent students and assists with attendance processes and prioritizing cases
Utilizes Data Warehouse and Power School reports
Identifies and prioritizes cases
Works with schools on attendance buy-backs
Works with the schools on all aspects of attendance including Attendance Improvement Plans
Participates in Home Visits as assigned
Assists with any attendance matters
Assists with the Home Visit Project Initiative as assigned
Identifies students’ needs and assists school personnel in making the connections with the services needed
Contacts social service providers when necessary including City Connects and the Department of Child and Family Services
Assists Senior Administrator for Attendance with petitions to Springfield Juvenile Court when assigned
Follows up where appropriate
Serves as the attendance liaison between school and home
Works directly with parents to identify and assist with student needs
Participates in school-based Attendance Team meetings
Is available as a Level 3 partner with STAT (Student Teacher Assistance Team) teams and supports the engagement of families
Maintains accurate logs
Logs phone calls, letters home, home visits
Documents all efforts in Power School/Student Success Plan
Completes Monthly Attendance Report for assigned school(s)
Attends monthly District Attendance Team meetings
Adheres to all Attendance Team protocols set by Senior Administrator for Attendance and Assistant Superintendent
Conducts sweeps as assigned by Senior Administrator for Attendance or Assistant Superintendent
Performs other duties as assigned by Senior Administrator for Attendance or Assistant Superintendent including school reassignment if necessary