About this role
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 Attendance Coordinators 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 Performs other duties as assigned including school reassignment if necessary. QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Associate's Degree from and accredited college or university, preferred. 2. Three (3) years of successful employment experience working with school age students. 3. Ability to facilitate communication between teachers, students and parents. 4. Ability to collect and enter student attendance data and related information, including contributions to the Students Success Plans of attendance related issues. 5. Computer skills: Data analysis, email, report preparation, knowledge of Microsoft Office Systems. 6. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including attendance at evening meetings. 7. Ability to speak and write in Spanish is preferred. 8. 95 percent attendance as referenced from previous employment position. 9. Own reliable transportation and cell phone (reimbursable). The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation. Reach out to Carmen Molina-Figueroa, the Human Resources Analyst, at 413-787-7100 ext. 55394, the email address is [email protected]. She will be happy to answer any questions that you have. NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness. NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools' Title IX Coordinator, [email protected], the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both. The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Katie O'Sullivan, Senior Administrator of Human Resources, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55428, [email protected]. Springfield Public School's sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to [email protected]