Truancy Specialist

Walla Walla, WA

Full Time

Mid Level

Job Title: Truancy Specialist

Organization: Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region (CISBM)

Classification: Full-time hourly, 200 days per year/40 hours per week

Location: Walla Walla, WA

Reports To: CISBM Program Manager

Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision and life insurance with 100% employee premium paid by the organization; Paid vacation ,holidays and sick time; 403b Retirement; Mileage reimbursement

Salary Range: $26 to $30 per hour

Website: https://bluemountainregion.ciswa.org

About Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region

Communities In Schools (CIS) is a national nonprofit organization committed to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life. With a holistic approach to education, CIS works within the existing framework of schools to address the various needs of students, from academic support to mental health services and beyond. By fostering strong relationships between students, families, schools, and communities, CIS creates a supportive network that helps students overcome barriers to success and strives to ensure that every student can reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Job Summary

The Truancy Specialist supports Communities In Schools of the Blue Mountain Region in Walla Walla Public Schools by working directly with students, families, schools, and community partners to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism by identifying and removing barriers that prevent students from engaging in school. This role requires a dedicated, relationship-centered individual who can quickly build trust with students and families referred to truancy court. The Truancy Specialist facilitates Community Engagement Boards, participates in school and court-based attendance processes, and completes all required truancy documentation and follow-up. The Truancy Specialist also monitors attendance data, evaluates the impact of interventions, and collaborates closely with CIS staff, school teams, and the Juvenile Justice Center to improve student attendance.

Key Responsibilities

Facilitate Community Engagement Boards (CEBs) for Walla Walla Public Schools and document outcomes.

Communicate CEB results and recommendations to school leadership and court services.

Manage a caseload of individual students and develop individualized attendance intervention plans for students with chronic absences.

Participate in court hearings and school-based attendance meetings; relay court findings and judge directives to appropriate school staff.

Complete all required truancy documentation before and after court hearings.

Conduct home visits and maintain consistent communication with families and students experiencing chronic absenteeism.

Connect students and families with community resources to address attendance barriers.

Provide follow-up support to students and families after the truancy court process.

Monitor student and schoolwide attendance trends to assess progress and service impact.

Collect, analyze, and report on attendance data and provide recommendations to improve truancy interventions.

Maintain a positive reputation by understanding and demonstrating the CIS mission, goals and initiatives within the school and community.

Support local and regional partnership and resource development, by providing content for grant proposals, marketing opportunities and hosting site visits as requested.

Collaborate with CIS advocates, school support teams, Juvenile Justice Center, students, and families to develop and implement plans that improve student attendance.

Required Qualifications

Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant work experience; AA degree with 3 years of relevant work experience; or 4 years of relevant work experience.

Knowledge of and experience living and working within similar communities.

Strong relationship-building skills, particularly with disengaged youth and their families. This can be demonstrated through work experience, volunteer experience and/or formalized education.

Demonstrated experience working with youth, knowledge of and passion for youth development.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school staff, students, parents, community partners, and the public.

Ability to work with people of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Resourceful – able to identify multiple solutions to presenting issues.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities.

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Valid Washington state driver’s license, access to reliable transportation and proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage.

Ability to move 25lbs on an occasional basis.

Must pass a criminal background check.

Desired Qualifications

Bilingual and/or bi-cultural connection to Spanish-speaking community.

Familiarity and existing relationships within the local community.

Experience in education, social services, mental health, juvenile justice, or related field.

Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision (100% of employee premiums paid by the company)

5 days paid vacation (prorated)

12 paid holidays

Sick time

Employer paid life insurance

403b Retirement account with employer contributions after 1 year

Mileage reimbursement

Hiring Practices

At Communities in Schools, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Don’t meet every single qualification? Studies have shown that women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you think you are a good fit for this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may have lived experience or natural abilities (versus learned experience) that would be just the right fit for this or other roles.

Communities In Schools is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and promotes policies and practices which support and grow our capacity to reflect these values across all aspects of our agency. Communities In Schools of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. No applicant will be discriminated against because of age, disability, familial status, gender, gender expression, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status.

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Thanks for your interest in careers with Communities In Schools of Washington. Please review our open positions and apply to the positions that match your qualifications.

Truancy Specialist

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