Truancy Specialist

Overview

Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools e.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

The purpose of this job is to enforce all laws and board policies relating to compulsory school attendance.

- a Tennessee STEAM-designated school with deep roots in the Red Bank community and a bold vision for the future. At RBMS, you’ll find more than a workplace; you’ll join a collaborative learning community grounded in Engage, Collaborate, Create. Our school culture is intentionally designed to amplify student voice, celebrate identity and achievement, and connect learning to real-world impact through interdisciplinary STEAM experiences, Teach Rock integration, Connections courses, and an inclusive house system.

Students see their names on the walls, their ideas in action, and their learning extended beyond our campus through advocacy, enrichment, and authentic field experiences. As we continue to grow innovative partnerships and expand hands‑on learning opportunities, we are seeking passionate staff members who believe in high expectations, community connections and limitless potential for every learner. If you are energized by innovation, collaboration, and community, RBMS is the place to do meaningful work that truly matters.

• Identifies students at risk for truancy and aids in the enforcement of laws and board policies relating to student attendance.
• Investigates all suspected cases of truancy as referred by administrators and reports back on the results of investigations. Such investigations shall be conducted as necessary, day or evening, and shall include personal contact with the guardian. The truant officer shall attempt to discover the reason for the absence and advise both the student and parent concerning attendance laws.
• Implements and complies with federal and state laws, state and local school board policy in the area of student attendance. Initiates the petition proceedings when necessary to adhere to Tennessee statutes concerning school enrollment and attendance.
• Interacts with all stakeholders in a professional and respectful manner.
• Attends court hearings. Provides monitoring of all petitions until resolved. Processes truancy petitions through the court for habitual offenders and represents the district at such proceedings.
• Confers regularly with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy. Works closely with school personnel concerning students who are frequently tardy and who have not responded to normal efforts. Confers with students in matters of attendance and tardiness and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Acts as a liaison with various social agencies to which students may be referred.
• Provides residency checks of students as requested by the administrators or school principals.
• Moves about area, when necessary, during school hours and provides immediate service to pupils. Returns those found truant. Makes home visits or community contacts when necessary to provide appropriate intervention in truancy matters. Maintains good public relations and diplomacy whenever entering the home of a student.
• Submits a…