Primary Purpose:

Under the general direction of the Director of Student and Family Community Engagement, the District Re-Engagement Specialist develops, implements, and monitors services for at-risk students, families, district departments, and community, and resource agencies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Certification:          

Bachelor’s Degree

Candidate must have a satisfactory outcome of a fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by the employee.

Required Experience

Two (2) years of work experience in education or related field

Bilingual (Spanish) is highly preferred

Knowledge/Skills:

• Have a working knowledge of the school district and its policies
• Be able to multi-task efficiently
• Strong verbal and written communication skills along with interpersonal skills
• Knowledge and efficient use of technology
• Ability to develop and utilize tools using research and data for information and training purposes

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is outlined in the Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Student Growth and Development

The District Re-Engagement Specialist fosters student growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Conduct home visits upon notification of suspected truancy, at-risk situations, student, staff, or family needs.
• Enforce provisions of compulsory school attendance statutes.
• Identify school-aged children who reside within district boundaries and are not enrolled in school and facilitate school enrollment as appropriate based on current laws and rules.
• Advocate for children under Juvenile Court supervision, foster care placement, DFPS services, and homeless students.
• Counsel with students and parents to prevent or recover dropouts and prevent truant conduct behavior.

Organizational Management

The District Re-Engagement Specialist assists with managing administrative, fiscal, facilities, and other functions responsibly through activities such as the following:

• Follow provisions of TEC Chapter 25 Admission, Transfer, and Attendance statutes.
• Investigate referred cases tied to unexcused absences from school.
• Investigate the residence status of students in our schools as needed to support student education and growth.
• Serve as a district liaison for children under court supervision.
• Serve as a liaison for the district related to court communication.
• Represent the district in court cases regarding compulsory attendance.
• Provide support and guidance for students and families dealing with crisis or disasters.
• Review all attendance, dropout, at-risk, and residency profiles, and visit with parents and students for intervention and support purposes. Analyze trends in all areas district-wide. 
• Review truant conduct cases referred by all campuses.
• Collaborate with the campus personnel in designing and implementing attendance incentive plans and truancy intervention plans.
• Maintain electronic documentation (reports) of all home visits and parent and or student contact.
• Verify residence as needed.

Organizational Improvement

The District Re-Engagement Specialist promotes efforts to improve the school or organization through activities such as the following:

• Provide support services to all campuses and departments to build parental involvement and engagement.
• Collaborate with district and campus departments in designing and implementing strategies for increasing educational outcomes.

Communication and Community Relations

The District Re-Engagement Specialist promotes positive collaboration between the school, community, and parent relations through activities such as the following:

• Be a positive role model that supports the mission of the school district.
• Exhibit compassion and objectivity with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain open and positive communications with parents, students, principals, and support staff.
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
• Collaborate with student support team (SST) meetings for students and families to inform and prevent dropouts, truancy, and unexpected absences.

Professional Staff Development and Growth

The District Re-Engagement Specialist provides leadership in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Serve as a resource for campuses in training on maintaining campus attendance procedures and dropout prevention plans, as well as keeping current with the TEA Code.
• Provide district staff development training as needed.
• Attend staff meetings and staff development as appropriate or assigned.
• Participate in professional organizations and take the initiative to develop needed professional skills appropriate to job assignments.
• Attend conferences and workshops as needed to enhance knowledge and to train others in the district on best practices.

Qualities of Effective Student Support Specialists    

The District Re-Engagement Specialist exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Be supportive of all district and campus programs.
• Comply with district and campus policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the District and at times campus administration as needed and deemed appropriate to support students and families.
• Maintain confidentiality.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Equipment:

Computer, tablet, or the like, district software programs, peripherals, printer, copier, scanner, and any equipment applicable to the position.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Work irregular and extended work hours to include holidays and weekends.
• Frequent district-wide and occasional statewide travel.
• Work with frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control under stress.
• Frequent standing, walking, lifting, carrying, stooping, bending, and kneeling, pulling, and pushing.
• Limited exposure to hot and cold temperatures.
• Frequent exposure to temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, inclement weather, low or intense illumination vibration. Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, and work on uneven surfaces.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.