Student Attendance & Engagement Specialist (2 Positions)

Michigan Association of School Boards; Ionia (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

Belding Area Schools seeks a Student Attendance & Engagement Specialist to improve attendance by building relationships with students and families and connecting them with school and community resources. Two positions exist: one for Elementary and one for Secondary, intended to be supportive rather than punitive.

The role involves regular contact with families, collaboration with building staff, and community partners to identify and remove barriers, aiming to help students feel connected,

Qualifications

• Degree in education or related field is required or preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Monitor student attendance data and identify chronically absent students.
• Make regular, personal contact with students and parents/guardians regarding attendance concerns.
• Develop positive, trusting relationships with students and families.
• Attend 504 meetings as district representative.
• Provide support for homeless students in coordination with the District Liaison.
• Meet with students to identify barriers affecting attendance.
• Conduct home visits when appropriate.
• Help families develop attendance improvement plans.
• Connect families with school, ISD, county, and community resources.
• Maintain documentation of contacts and interventions.
• Track attendance outcomes and adjust supports as needed.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Driver's license

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in education or related field

Job description

Student Attendance & Engagement Specialist (2 Positions)

Deadline: November 20, 2026
District/Organization: Belding Area Schools
Position/Type: Other, part time

Position Summary

Belding Area Schools is seeking a caring, energetic, and relationship-focused individual to serve as our Student Attendance & Engagement Specialist.

There are two positions: one for Elementary and one for Secondary.

The primary purpose of these positions is to improve student attendance by developing positive relationships with students and families, identifying barriers that prevent students from attending school regularly, and connecting families with school and community resources that can help remove those barriers.

The successful candidate will work closely with building administrators, counselors, social workers, teachers, students, families, and community agencies to support students who are chronically absent or at risk of becoming chronically absent.

This position is intended to be supportive rather than punitive. Our goal is not simply to tell students and families that they need to attend school. Our goal is to understand why students are missing school and help families overcome those barriers while helping students feel connected, supported, and successful at school.

The Student Attendance & Engagement Specialist will:

• Monitor student attendance data and identify students who are chronically absent or trending toward chronic absenteeism.
• Make regular, personal contact with students and parents/guardians regarding attendance concerns.
• Develop positive, trusting relationships with students and families.
• Attend 504 meetings as the building/district representative
• Provide support for homeless students in coordination with the District Liaison.
• Meet individually with students to identify barriers affecting regular school attendance.
• Conduct home visits when appropriate.
• Work with families to develop individualized attendance improvement plans.
• Help families identify and address barriers such as transportation, housing instability, health concerns, mental health needs, family responsibilities, clothing, food insecurity, childcare, or other challenges affecting school attendance.
• Connect students and families with appropriate school, ISD, county, and community resources.
• Work with students to strengthen their connection to school and identify adults, activities, programs, or opportunities that may increase student engagement.
• Celebrate and recognize improved student attendance.
• Maintain regular communication with building principals and appropriate student-support personnel.
• Participate in student-support, attendance, and intervention meetings as requested.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of contacts, interventions, referrals, and student progress.
• Track attendance outcomes for students receiving intervention and adjust supports when necessary.
• Assist the district in developing consistent attendance intervention practices across all buildings.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students and families.
• Perform other duties related to student attendance and engagement as assigned.

Qualifications Required:

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in education, social work, psychology, counseling, human services, criminal justice, or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop positive relationships with children, adolescents, and adults.
• Ability to communicate effectively with families experiencing difficult or challenging circumstances.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for district and home visits.
• Successful completion of required background checks.

Preferred:

• Previous experience working with school-aged children and families.
• Experience working with community agencies or connecting families with social services and community resources.
• Experience working with students experiencing chronic absenteeism, behavioral challenges, mental health concerns, poverty, homelessness, or other barriers to school attendance.

Desired Characteristics:

Belding Area Schools is seeking someone who:

• Genuinely enjoys working with students and families.
• Is approachable, patient, persistent, and compassionate.
• Is comfortable making phone calls, visiting homes, and having difficult conversations.
• Understands that chronic absenteeism often has underlying causes that must be identified before attendance will improve.
• Can establish appropriate boundaries while still building strong relationships.
• Is creative and persistent in finding solutions.
• Believe that every student needs to feel connected to school and to at least one caring adult.
• Can balance accountability with empathy and support.

Primary Measure of Success

The success of this position will ultimately be measured by improved attendance and engagement among students receiving support, including reductions in the number and percentage of students who are chronically absent.

Rate: $22.00 – $25.00 per hour based on experience and education

Terms of Employment: 35-37 hours per week, school year

It is the policy of Belding Area School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category in its programs, services or activities. For inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies contact the Superintendent’s Office, 850 Hall Street, Belding, MI 48809. [phone].