SANTA CLARA COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
Job Description
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
SUMMARY: Coordinates, develops, organizes and monitors an attendance program designed to enforce the compulsory school attendance laws in the Alternative Schools Department (ASD); acts as liaison between ASD, schools, districts and county probation by coordinating services to improve school attendance; provides assistance regarding pupil and administrative problems relating to student attendance; develops attendance policies and procedures; and performs all other related duties as assigned.
ACTIVITIES:
50% PROGRAM COORDINATION
Coordinates, develops, organizes and monitors an attendance program designed to enforce the compulsory school attendance laws in the Alternative Schools Department; ensures uniform compliance with state school attendance procedures; oversees student referrals, transfers, expulsion and reinstatement/readmission of students; identifies attendance concerns through home visits, site visits, conferences and discussions; advises students and parents regarding compulsory education laws and subsequent consequences of habitual truancy; participates in and supports SARB to increase student attendance and monitors related hearings; provides assistance regarding pupil and administrative problems relating to student attendance; develops attendance policies and procedures; develops , coordinates and conducts training for attendance reporting and attendance improvement; and facilitates internal and external communication between ASD, school sites, school districts and community agencies.
30% LIAISON WITH EXTERNAL AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Acts as liaison between the Alternative Schools Department and schools, districts and county probation by coordinating services to improve school attendance; develops and implements an A attendance improvement plan through collaboration with school districts, community agencies, parent groups, county probation, and other Office departments; works with external agencies to resolve concerns, complaints and problems.
15% MONITORING AND REPORTING
Conducts school sites visits to audit enrollment procedures and attendance records; ensures compliance with state rules and regulations; reconciles school enrollment totals; reviews data from student information system to ensure accuracy of ADA data being reported to state; identifies and implements effective courses of action to resolve attendance and enrollment issues; prepare oral and written reports for department administration; and confers with principals and school office staff regarding attendance practices and reporting.
5% RELATED ACTIVITIES
Performs all other related duties as assigned.
DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Works with external agencies to address concerns, resolve complaints and problems; recommends policies and procedures to enhance program performance and evaluation. Develops and implements short-term and long-term plans; provides data for long-term planning in own program/department/branch; requires frequent exercise of discretionary judgment and specialized knowledge in interpreting and applying policies; situations are varied and moderately complex; and makes decisions that have major impact on program/department.
REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of federal and state laws, education code, statutes and related requirements including compulsory school attendance laws; knowledge of at-risk students and education programs serving such populations; knowledge of local community resources; knowledge of culturally diverse populations and their needs; knowledge of strategic planning and collaborative processes; ability to plan, organize and implement a county-wide attendance program; ability to collaborate with external agencies; skill in communicating orally and in writing with large and small groups; skill in collecting, assembling, and analyzing data preparing reports, and monitoring progress; skill in budget preparation; ability to organize, evaluate and modify systems, procedures, and programs within the area of responsibility; ability to direct and train others of comparable skill; and skill in working effectively with others in a wide variety of situations.
REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution with major course work in organizational development, human relations, liberal studies, psychology, social services or a related field; A Master’s degree is preferred; and a valid California driver's license.
REQUIRED MINIMUM PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Three years of job-related experience with demonstrated competence.
REQUIRED INTERACTION (NON-AUTHORITY): Contacts are somewhat unstructured, and are frequently with high level individuals inside and outside the work unit, such as representatives of educational, community and related agencies, school officials and parents; and contacts are to gather data for decision-making and problem solving.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Environment: Indoor, office setting; drives to conduct work at agency sites and school districts.
Physical Requirements: Hearing and speaking to exchange information and on the telephone; seeing to read, prepare and proofread documents; sitting for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment; kneeling, bending at the waist, and reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, to retrieve and store files and supplies; lifting light objects.
Personnel Commission Approval: 11/12/2009