Truant Officer

Ak-Chin Indian Community; Maricopa (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k

Vacation and sick leave

14 holidays

Job summary

Ak-Chin Indian Community seeks a Truancy Officer to enforce truancy laws and support the Juvenile Court procedures. You will coordinate with education staff, parents, and guardians to promote school attendance and prepare court documents as needed.

The ideal candidate has strong communication, mediation, and record-keeping skills, plus the ability to collaborate with multiple Ak-Chin departments. Knowledge of community codes and privacy rules is essential.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED; two years experience in juvenile services, education, criminal justice, or related field.
• Must have a valid Arizona Driver's License and pass background check.
• Ideal candidate speaks O'odham language fluently.

Responsibilities

• Administer the Truancy Abatement Program to improve attendance before penalties.
• Receive and manage Education Records related to enrollment and attendance.
• Issue notices of violations and assess fines as per truancy laws.
• Negotiate agreements with parents/guardians for program participation.
• Provide information to Prosecutor or counsel for proceedings in Juvenile Court.
• Prepare court documents and assist prosecutors with filings.

Skills

Communication

Mediation

Relationship building

Interpersonal skills

Policy interpretation

Office documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Under general supervision of Education Director, implements and enforces Ak-Chin Indian Community Codes, policies and procedures regarding school attendance. The position is an Officer of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Juvenile Court.

Benefits: vacation/personal sick leave, health benefits (medical/dental/vision),401k, short/long-term disability, 14 holidays

Wage offer will be based on experience and will not exceed the mid-point of the salary/wage range. Employees may progress through the full salary range subject to their successful performance and annual budget approval.

High school diploma or GED equivalent and experienceequivalent to two (2) years full time juvenile services, education, criminal justice, or closely related work. Must have a valid Arizona Driver's License and be able to meet the Community's insurance carrier requirements. Must successfully complete a background check.

Ideal candidate will be able to speak the O'odham language fluently.

• Responsible for administering the Ak-Chin Indian Community Truancy Abatement Program to provide parents, custodians, and/or guardians and truant minors with options to improve school attendance before assessing civil or other penalties which arise from violations of the Community's truancy laws.


• Receives, on behalf of the Community, Education Records related to school enrollment, school attendance and truancy to carry out the Truancy Officer's obligations under the Truancy Abatement Program.


• Issues notices of violations and assesses fines as provided in the Community's truancy laws.


• Negotiates and enters into agreements, on behalf of the Community, with parents, custodians, or guardians and/or truant minors to participate in the Truancy Abatement Program.


• Provides to the Prosecutor or any other counsel for the Community, any and all information or records in the Truancy Officer's or Department of Education possession as may be relevant or necessary to commence proceedings in Ak-Chin Indian Community Juvenile Court.


• Assists the Prosecutor with preparing court documentation to commence proceedings in Ak-Chin Indian Community Juvenile Court.


• Communicates with school staff and officials regarding school attendance.


• Works with Ak-Chin departments to implement provisions of Truancy Abatement Program.


• Works directly with Education staff/advisors to address and discuss any student attendance issues.


• Maintains confidential records and forms regarding school attendance/truancy; and develops appropriate related documentation and records.


• Reports to necessary school and family forums to discuss truant/tardy concerns.


• Monitors student unexcused and excessive excused absences.


• Provides monthly report to Education Director regarding status of Truancy Abatement Program.


• Investigates cases of suspected unexcused absences and initiates appropriate proceedings as allowed under Ak-Chin Indian Community law.


• Educates parents and students regarding State, Ak-Chin Indian Community Truancy Abatement Program and school laws/policies regarding school attendance.


• Makes referrals to Ak-Chin Health and Human Services and youth service agencies as needed for follow-up.


• Testifies in Court regarding circumstances regarding the student's school attendance problem.


• Attends school meetings to inform staff about Truancy Abatement Program.


• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the history and culture of the Ak-Chin Indian Community.


• Knowledge of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Code, policies, and procedures, regarding school attendance.


• Knowledge of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Juvenile court system, court process and role of legal counsel in court process.


• Knowledge of the Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act and laws governing individual privacy.


• Knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and related State and Federal laws.


• Knowledge of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Juvenile Code.


• Skill in implementing program policies, procedures and operations.


• Skill in administrative oversight of Truancy Abatement Program.


• Skill in mediation and negotiating with parents, custodians, and/or guardians.


• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other Ak-Chin Education Department staff to coordinate best outcomes for students.


• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with students, parents, school administration and faculty, law enforcement staff, Ak-Chin court staff, and the public.


• Skill in interpreting and implementing laws, policies, and procedures regarding school attendance.


• Skill in operating a variety of standard office equipment, including a personal computer.


• Skill in preparing a variety of court related documents and reports.


• Skill in identifying and locating students with serious attendance problems.