ISPA, Student Attendance Officer at K12 Services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Job Description:

K12 believes in Education for Any One. We provide families an online option for a high-quality, personalized education experience. Students can thrive, find their passion, and learn in an environment that encourages discovery at their own pace. In support of this, we are committed to creating and maintaining a culture of inclusion and diversity where our employees are passionate about serving students and families, treat one another and customers with respect, challenge each other to innovate and always strive to do better.

The mission of ISPA is to provide an exemplary individualized and engaging educational experience for students by incorporating school and community/family partnerships coupled with a rigorous curriculum along with a data-driven and student-centered instructional model. Student success will be measured by valid and reliable assessment data, parent and student satisfaction, and continued institutional growth within the academic community. Join us!.

The Student Attendance Officer ensures that school age children are attending school regularly by investigating causes of unexcused and/or excessive absences, communicating with families and assisting them in removing barriers to attending school. The Student Attendance Officer will also represent the school when cases go to court and make referrals to Children and Youth Services when appropriate.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Develops and implements educational workshops related to absenteeism for school staff and families


• Works with MTSS coordinators, counselors, and advisors to monitor student adherence to the school’s attendance policies


• Ensures state and school compliancy guidelines are met for student attendance, progress and system logins


• Investigates cases of unexcused and excessive absences and enforces provisions of compulsory attendance laws


• Works with families and school team to develop Student Attendance Improvement Plans to increase student attendance and engagement and remove barriers to learning


• Conducts home-visits/welfare checks for habitually truant students


• Issues warnings and files complaints against students, parents or individuals with parental control in accordance with compulsory attendance and board policy and refer them to the appropriate court


• Represent ISPA at court hearings that are the result of continued habitual truancy


• Refer families to local Children and Youth Services when appropriate


• Assist Student Resource Specialist in collaborating with community resource providers and agencies


• Make appropriate referrals to a certified-School Psychologist or School Counselor for students


• Compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other supporting documents required including records of all cases investigated and reports required by state agencies


• Produces attendance/truancy reports for ISPA, home school, county and state, as required;


• Exercises independent judgement and professional discretion in matters related to student attendance, truancy, and absenteeism prevention


• Works with the Director of Student Support Services, Academic Director, Executive Director and local school board to develop improved procedures that address attendance


• Assists staff on projects regarding student attendance/truancy

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no regular supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Valid Home School and Visitor Certification (If attendance experience begin after 2011)


• Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Work, Human Services, or related field and


• Two years of attendance, absenteeism prevention, and/or truancy experience OR


• Equivalent combination of education and experience in elementary and secondary schools.


• Meets all criteria for employment in a PA public school, including satisfactory PA child abuse, PA criminal record, and FBI background check reports

Desired Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing an effective schoolwide attendance program


• Experience supporting adults and children in the use of technology

Minimum Required Skill Set

• Knowledge of Pennsylvania school attendance laws, and other pertinent laws regarding elementary and secondary education


• Knowledge of Pennsylvania specific court procedures regarding truancy


• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, in an organized fashion, and meet deadlines, with calm and precision


• Analytical Skills: Solve problems that are both anticipated and unexpected. Analyze data and make decisions that affect the project(s) demonstrating awareness of the short-term and long-term implications


• Strong written and verbal communication skills


• Interacts with others in a straightforward and honest manner, is accountable for actions, maintains confidentiality, supports the school’s values, and conveys good news and bad.


• Excellent customer service skills


• Meets all team deadlines and responsibilities, listens to others and values opinions, helps team leader to meet goals, welcomes newcomers and promotes a team atmosphere.


• Demonstrated proficient use of general technology tools, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Drive and internet research


• Ability to travel in Pennsylvania approximately 25% of the time and outside of Pennsylvania on an infrequent basis

 Certificates and Licenses:

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  Valid PA Home School and Visitor Certification required if attendance experience begin after 2011

  
  

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the office is usually moderate (computers, printers, light foot traffic).  The ability to work from home does exist and is contingent upon Supervisor approval of schedule.


• This position could include limited travel and could include limited overnight travel. This is estimated to be 25% of the time or less.

Job Performance Requirements: The mental and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

1. Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.


2. Ability to exhibit mental dexterity to “dial” a telephone, to enter data into a computer, to read a computer screen and printed material, to hear and understand speech at normal office/workplace levels, and on the telephone, and to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in the workplace and on the telephone.


3. Ability to physically lift up to 10 pounds.


4. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret workplace documents, technical procedures, research studies, and governmental regulations.


5. Ability to write reports with clarity.


6. Ability to interface diplomatically with all members of the school community - administrators, teachers, parents, students, Board members, support staff, colleagues, and outside professional contacts.


7. Ability to coordinate and use technology for a variety of workplace purposes and communications.


8. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.  All employment is at-will as governed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  The at-will nature of employment is one aspect of employment that cannot be changed except in writing and signed by an authorized officer of Insight PA Cyber Charter School.

K12 is a Federal Contractor, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status age, or genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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