Specialist III - Attendance

About the role

The Specialist III - Attendance plays a critical leadership role in advancing Baltimore City Schools' efforts to improve student attendance, reduce chronic absenteeism, and ensure equitable access to educational opportunities for all students.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with central office departments, school-based leaders, attendance leads, students, families, community organizations, and external agencies to develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive attendance strategies that promote student engagement and academic success.
• Develops, implements, and continuously refines a comprehensive districtwide attendance strategy that integrates student wholeness, family engagement, community partnerships, restorative practices, and multi-tiered systems of support.
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of current research, state guidance, district initiatives, and best practices related to attendance improvement and ensures effective dissemination and implementation across the district.
• Provides regular in-person support to schools by reviewing attendance data, monitoring attendance improvement efforts, identifying barriers to attendance, and assisting school teams with implementing targeted interventions.
• Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations, universities, government agencies, health providers, and other external stakeholders to increase access to resources that improve student attendance and engagement.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, Maryland State Department of Education regulations, Board of School Commissioners policies, district procedures, court mandates, and professional standards, including those related to students with disabilities, students experiencing homelessness, foster care, confidentiality, and educational equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, social work, psychology, or related field. Master's degree preferred.
• A valid Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Advanced Professional Certificate (APC).
• Three years' experience working in a public-school system, preferably in an urban setting in a related capacity.
• Experience working with students in a multicultural urban school system.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to make effective professional presentations and trainings.
• Able to take initiative, efficiently handle multiple priorities, work independently, be flexible and be a collaborative team player.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect for others.
• Proficient in the knowledge and use of technical computer applications including Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills

• Comprehensive understanding of the complex social, economic, behavioral, and health-related factors that influence student attendance and achievement.
• Ability to utilize quantitative and qualitative data to identify districtwide trends, evaluate program effectiveness, monitor school performance, and recommend strategic improvements that increase student attendance.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, Board policies, and court mandates related to attendance.
• Experience working with students in a multicultural urban school system.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to make effective professional presentations and trainings.
• Ability to take initiative, efficiently handle multiple priorities, work independently, be flexible and be a collaborative team player.
• Demonstrates the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect for others.
• Proficient in the knowledge and use of technical computer applications including Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Benefits

This position is eligible for benefits. To review the available options please see the information relevant to the union for this position by viewing the following link: http://www.baltimorecityschools.org

Baltimore City Public Schools ("City Schools") does not discriminate in its employment, programs, and activities based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy or parenting status, family structure, ability (cognitive, social/emotional, and physical), veteran status, genetic information, age, immigration or citizenship status, socioeconomic status, language, or any other legally or constitutionally protected attributes or affiliations. Discrimination undermines our community's long-standing efforts to create, foster, and promote equity and inclusion for all.