Truancy Specialist

Hamilton County Schools; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, TN, seeks a dedicated professional to enforce attendance laws and board policies. The role focuses on identifying at-risk students, investigating truancy, and collaborating with families and school staff to improve attendance.

The position emphasizes confidentiality, community outreach, and compliance with state statutes. Join RBMS and contribute to a culture of high expectations and student success.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree in education, guidance, student services, or criminal justice.
• Three years of experience with prevention or intervention programs in education support or truancy.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

• Identifies students at risk for truancy and enforces attendance policies.
• Investigates truancy cases and reports results to guardians.
• Implements and complies with state laws and local district policy on enrollment and attendance.
• Interacts professionally with teachers, counselors, principals, and staff.
• Attends court hearings and represents the district when necessary.
• Maintains confidentiality and liaises with social agencies.
• Provides residency checks and conducts home/community outreach as needed.
• Submits monthly reports on referrals, investigations, and court outcomes.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Planning

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Time management

Professional judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

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 at careers.hcde.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.

Join the dynamic and innovative team at Red Bank Middle School (RBMS)

- 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, TeachRock 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 written report to the supervisor on a monthly basis, or as requested by the supervisor, concerning student referrals, investigations, court proceedings, and outcome of each. Submits mileage documentation to the supervisor.
• Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
• Works collaboratively with administration and stakeholders.
• Attends work and arrives to work on time.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
• Uses computers and other technology to enter and access information related to essential job functions.
• May operate a motor vehicle to conduct various work activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Education/Experience:

• Four-year college degree in a relevant area such as education, guidance, student services or criminal justice preferred. Three (3) years of successful experience with prevention or intervention programs related to education support or truancy prevention/reduction; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills.
• Demonstrates good judgment when confronted with angry, emotional students, parents, or custodial parents.

Compensation

Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.

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