Attendance Support Liaison (Bilingual Spanish Preferred) - CO (2023-2024 School Year)

HARRISONBURG CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Attendance Support Liaison is responsible for providing supportive services to assigned schools with students with excessive attendance problems. Explores attendance barriers for students and families; interprets attendance policies; works as a team member to develop prevention/intervention strategies; monitors student attendance and progress; and makes referrals to school and community services. Assists with prevention and intervention of attendance issues in assigned schools. Promotes full day school attendance with the goal of each student being in school each day, all day, with absences only when verified per division guidelines.  This position follows the provisions of the Code of Virginia attendance Law; institutes legal proceedings; and presents case information to court services.  Represents the school division in regards to juvenile-related court cases. Actively serves as a liaison between school, court, and community agencies. Assists assigned schools in following the HCPS attendance protocol.  Maintains professional relationships with staff, parents, and students. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Effectively demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions
2. Holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, human services, or related field.
3. Experience working directly with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
4. Familiarity with equity and inclusion frameworks.  Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities.  Respects the worth, dignity and individual differences of others.
5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present to diverse audiences to foster professional relationships and express and/or exchange ideas.  
6. Excellent interpersonal skills.
7. Proficiency in the use of a variety of office/instructional equipment and technology with experience using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and email.
8. Demonstrated leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary for working effectively with students, teachers, administrators, and the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Assists building administrators at the elementary, middle and high school with student attendance, tardiness and truancy and serves as the liaison for parents, the school and the court in related matters. 
2. Facilitates the Interagency Truancy meetings and serves as the liaison between the schools and the community agencies represented on that team. ‘
3. Conducts home visits or community contacts when necessary to provide appropriate intervention in attendance matters. 
4. Initiates the petition proceedings when necessary to adhere to Virginia compulsory attendance.
5. Can attend court hearings and follow-up procedures for juvenile court. 
6. Provides monitoring of all relevant CHINS petitions until resolved.
7. Maintains contact with DSS, Court Services Unit (CSU), and other community agencies to provide guidance to families with students who have truancy and attendance concerns.  Act as liaison between agencies and school staff.  
8. Assign tasks to the administrative assistant as necessary to support the attendance program.
9. Interprets the Virginia State Code, court rulings, and the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook relating to student attendance issues.
10. Gathers and reviews attendance data to identify students who are excessively absent (excused and unexcused absences).
11. Assesses students with attendance problems and outreach includes phone/text communication, school, community, and home visits to assess barriers to school attendance.
12. Collaborates with school staff to develop interventions for students who are truant and develops truancy plans.
13. Initiates truancy plans including; monitors student/family progress; and makes referrals to other professional staff members or community agencies as needed. 
14. Initiates legal proceedings to enforce compulsory attendance laws; prepares information for formal hearings/court cases; and represents the school division in attendance related-court matters.
15. Provides families with information related to the needs of their child and acts as a resource to parents/guardians by providing family support activities and community services. communicates the importance of school attendance. 
16. Acts as a resource to administrators, school counselors, teachers, and student support personnel, at assigned schools regarding attendance programs, interpretation of attendance policies/laws, and record-keeping requirements. 
17. Assists with implementing truancy prevention programs for assigned schools and recommends strategies to support and improve regular school attendance (i.e.: incentives, peer groups, recognitions). 
18. Provide presentations and training to staff and community members as needed.
19. Maintains documentation and data to monitor student progress and attendance.  
20. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
21. Maintains appropriate state licensure; assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.
22. Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.
23. Responds to telephone, email and in-person requests, inquiries and questions in a professional, polite and responsive manner. 
24. Serves as a role model by developing and effectively maintaining professional boundaries with students and staff at all times. Ensures respect for the ethical and legal duties in the staff-to-student relationships.
25. Serves as a role model for others, as an educational leader, by demonstrating good attendance, punctuality, appearance, demeanor, dress and behavior.
26. Actively participates in and attends all required meetings.
27. Maintains confidentiality in all matters.
28. Models professional, moral, and ethical standards as well as personal integrity in all interactions, including non-discriminatory and cultural inclusion practices by respecting the worth, dignity and individual beliefs of others.
29. Is familiar with and abides by School Board policies, regulations, and school procedures. 
30. Effectively performs other duties as assigned by immediate supervisors or appropriate administrator(s). 
31. Takes all industry standard precautions to protect students, staff, equipment, materials, and facilities.
32. Maintains appropriate state licensure; assumes responsibility for and participates in staff development (professional growth) and training to keep materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date.
33. Follows appropriate safety procedures and properly maintains equipment.
34. Actively participates in and attends all required meetings.
35. Maintains confidentiality when appropriate.
36. Complies with and supports school division policies, regulations, procedures, and the HCPS Strategic Plan.
37. Effectively performs other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Light work, lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.  Regular travel throughout the school and effectively interact with students, staff, and the school community.  Regular contact with staff members is required.  Not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with school board policy and administrative regulations on the evaluation of administrative or licensed personnel.

The above is intended to describe the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this position.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities and requirements of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and meet the demands of this position.

Salary : $8,254 - $59,181