SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SPECIALIST 3194
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
An employee in this class performs investigative, counseling and liaison duties and assists in the performance of administrative duties aimed at improving student attendance. The incumbent investigates patterns of absenteeism and tries to deal with underlying problems through counseling techniques or through referral to psychologists or other agencies. The incumbent works with administrators and teachers to develop and implement attendance policies and encourage good attendance. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Screens
absentee lists daily; studies attendance records for patterns of absences and
responds to patterns by interviewing parents and students identified as high
absence risks;
May
perform home visits to speak with parents and students;
Provides
counseling for students to help them recognize the underlying causes of their
problems, and to find satisfactory solutions;
Works with
parents to obtain cooperation in dealing with their child's attendance
problems;
Refers
parents and students to other Pupil Personnel Services (Psychologist) or
community agencies when attendance services are unsuccessful; maintains liaison
with courts, probation departments and other agencies; may petition chronic
cases to Family Court;
Assists
administrators in developing attendance policies and procedures; develops
methods of improving the accuracy of attendance records;
Prepares
written reports including an annual report to the high school principal.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge of state and local requirements
regarding legal and illegal absences; thorough knowledge of the services and
resources available for assisting in dealing with student problems; thorough
knowledge of methods, techniques and practices of maintaining attendance
records; good knowledge of counseling methods and techniques and their
application; good knowledge of the geography of the school district and it's
road network; ability to obtain information through interview and
investigation; ability to gather information and to prepare reports; ability to
develop a good rapport with students, parents, public officials, co-workers and
the general public; ability to analyze attendance records and to reach valid
conclusions; ability to learn any data processing system which may be used in
the school; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and
in writing; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
OPEN
COMPETITIVE
Either:
a) Graduation from a college with federally-authorized
accreditation or registration by NY State with a Bachelor's Degree in
Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Education or a related field, and
one (1) year of professional experience providing counseling, education or
placement services and/or professional experience dealing with court or police
agencies; or,
b) Graduation from a standard senior high school or
possession of a high school equivalency diploma, and five (5) years of the
above experience; or,
c) An equivalent combination of education and experience as
defined by the limits of a) and b).
R11/21/88
Competitive
Review 08/08/19