Student Attendance & Engagement Specialist

Position: Student Attendance & Engagement Specialist (2 Positions)

District/Organization: Belding Area Schools

Type: Other, Part-time

Hours: 35-37 hours per week, school year

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

Deadline: Until Filled

Position Summary

Belding Area Schools is seeking a caring, energetic, and relationship-focused individual to improve student attendance by developing positive relationships with students and families, identifying barriers to regular attendance, and connecting families with school and community resources. 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, aiming to understand and help overcome barriers to attendance while fostering student connection, support, and success.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for district and home visits.
• Successful completion of required background checks.

Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

• Genuinely enjoys working with students and families.
• Approachable, patient, persistent, and compassionate.
• 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.
• Ability to establish appropriate boundaries while still building strong relationships.
• Creative and persistent in finding solutions.
• Believes 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

Improved attendance and engagement among students receiving support, including reductions in the number and percentage of students who are chronically absent.

To Apply

Interested applicants should apply at: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/4003