Truancy & Residency Officer

Portsmouth School Department • Portsmouth, RI

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About The Position

Portsmouth School Department is seeking a dedicated Attendance & Residency Officer to work collaboratively with school personnel to promote positive student attendance and verify student residency. This part-time position supports the enforcement of Rhode Island compulsory attendance laws and ensures compliance with residency requirements for school enrollment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, counseling, criminal justice, or a related field preferred.
• Understanding of RI Compulsory Attendance Laws (RIGL §16-19.1 & §16-19-2) and Residence of Children for School Purposes (RIGL §16-64-1).
• Knowledge of RI Truancy Court and Family Court processes.
• Ability to remain calm, objective, and professional when working with families and students.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Empathy and cultural competence when working with diverse populations.

Nice To Haves

• Law enforcement background strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and review student attendance records.
• Identify and address patterns of truancy and chronic absenteeism.
• Conduct outreach and home visits to engage families and address attendance concerns.
• Collaborate with administrators, counselors, and social workers to improve attendance outcomes.
• Prepare and file truancy petitions; testify in Rhode Island Family Court as needed.
• Verify student residency through documentation and home visits; testify in residency cases when required.
• Maintain detailed case files and records.
• Provide training for school staff on attendance policy and intervention strategies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time