ATTENDANCE ASSISTANT

07520

(Competitive)

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for improving school and class attendance within a school district by locating students not in attendance, apprehending and returning truant students to school and traveling into the field to investigate the nature of specific student absenteeism. Work is performed under the general supervision of an administrative superior with some leeway allowed for exercising independent judgment in the investigation and follow-up of truancy cases. Supervision is not exercised by an employee in this class. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Makes field visits which include driving throughout the district to check for students not in attendance at school and surveying stores, area businesses and other locations where students gather.

Apprehends and returns truant students to school.

Supervises areas in the immediate vicinity of the school, patrols hallways and other areas of the school building to maintain interior control and apprehend students out of class.

Makes home visits to investigate the reasons for specific student absenteeism.

Maintains a record of daily investigations and case files within the area of attendance.

Works with principals, administrators and guidance counselors to present problems of truancy and work on solutions.

Compiles attendance records and creates attendance reports.

Escorts ill students to their homes in situations where the parents cannot be

reached.

 

When assigned to the Syracuse City School District:

Meets with parents and students to identify attendance barriers.

Refers cases to the Department of Probation and Family Court.

Refers parents and students to appropriate services in the school district and to community organizations

 

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of basic investigative techniques and procedures.

Good knowledge of school district policies and regulations regarding truant students.

Ability to employ the rules and regulations applying to the school district involved.

Ability to deal with truant students in stressful situations.

Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relations with students, parents, school officials and the general public.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

  1. One (1) year of work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in investigative work which must have involved face-to-face contacts with persons for the purpose of verifying information or authenticating information or complaints and discovering additional sources of information to be investigated; or,

 

  1. One (1) year of work experience, or its part-time equivalent in the collection of data and evidence, obtaining statements and/or affidavits from involved individuals and witnesses, or testifying in court or at a formal hearing.

 

(Note: Routine telephone checks or collection work is not acceptable experience for this position).

 

SPECIAL NECESSARY REQUIREMENT

 

Possession of a New York State Operator's License issued by New York State Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.

 

11/2008 Revised