Specialist IV – Court Liaison

Specialist IV � Court Liaison


Reports to:  Director � Student Engagement & School Completion (SESC)
Pay Grade:   902
Days:  219
Salary: $58,784 - $70,825
FLSA Status: Exempt

                       
Position Purpose

Performs a broad range of legal duties within the City of Fort Worth Municipal Attendance Court as they relate to truancy.  Serves as the District representative for all FWISD case filings. Assists with providing a safe and orderly learning environment conducive to the education and welfare of all students. Serves all campuses and is responsible for dropout prevention, intervention, and recovery.  Works closely with campus administrators, school counselors, instructional staff, and other Student Support Services personnel to address the needs of at-risk students.  Works directly with students and families in developing support plans to facilitate a successful path to graduation and to provide appropriate intervention measures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Services & Support

• Engages students identified by the campus administrative team as truant or at-risk of dropping out.
• Contacts families of truant or at-risk students to develop Student Support Plans/Student Attendance Review Team (SART) contract.
• Works closely with instructional staff in monitoring attendance of at-risk students.
• Locates and visits homes of students identified as truant or at-risk of dropout.
• Refers students and families to District services, community services, and other appropriate intervention resources.
• Assists with "leaver" investigations; monitors and updates "leaver" files as needed.
• Supports campuses in the assigned pyramid in addressing attendance/dropout issues so that early intervention may be provided.
• Works with students, parents, and FWISD staff to resolve barriers for school success.
• Investigates reports of children not enrolled in school within the assigned pyramid.
• Assists with collection of documentation to be used for court actions; provides evidence as custodian of record for utilization in the Attendance Truancy Court.
• Represents FWISD at the City of Fort Worth Municipal Court and School Attendance Court hearings.
• Serves as liaison for the FWISD, Attendance Control Office, and FWISD School pyramids.

Program Management

• Strives to improve campus attendance and decrease dropouts.
• Assists with documentation related to truancy action; maintains current chronological records and submits quarterly written progress reports.
• Collects and maintains longitudinal yearly school data regarding pre/post attendance rates and court dispositions for all FWISD school pyramids.
• Gathers and prepares student profiles for all Attendance Court docket hearings.
• Compiles, gathers, disseminates information, and assists in expediting court case hearings for FWISD students and parents presenting at School Attendance Court.
• Submits recommendations to Campus Level Administrative staff regarding truancy action.
• Facilitates SART meetings.
• Attends monthly departmental staff meetings and campus meetings as requested.
• Maintains high visibility in the school and community; promotes school attendance through presentations to campus level staff at Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)/Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings, campus assemblies, and community forums.
• Upholds service logs for use in tracking students and providing services, including but not limited to tracking and maintaining data on warning letters, home visits, SART meetings, family services, court actions, and dispositions.
• Attends professional development and training relevant to the job.

Personal Work Relationships

• All Fort Worth ISD employees must maintain a commitment to the District's mission, vision, and strategic goals.
• Exhibits high professionalism, standards of conduct and work ethic.
• Demonstrates high quality customer service; builds rapport/relationship with the consumer.
• Demonstrates cultural competence in interactions with others; is respectful of co-workers; communicates and acts as a team player; promotes teamwork; responds and acts appropriately in confrontational situations.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs all job related duties as assigned and in accordance to the Board rules, policies and regulations.  All employees are expected to comply with lawful directives in rare situations driven by need where a team effort is required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of District policies, procedures, and regulations as well as Texas state laws regarding attendance and truancy.
• Knowledge of community resources available to students and their families.
• Skill in reading reports to monitor student attendance and updating service logs.
• Skill in reading maps, giving driving directions, and understanding driving directions received from various means (such as hand-written, email, or telephone).
• Skill in working with initiatives that require collaboration with District and outside agencies and organizations.
• Skill in talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Skill working with a diverse, urban population preferably focused on families.
• Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents, and District staff.
• Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
• Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.
• Ability to work in a team environment, including teams from other departments.

• Ability to work flexible hours/days and the ability to determine and meet deadlines.

• Ability to use software to create spreadsheets, databases, and do word processing.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both oral and written forms.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Travel Requirements

• Travels to court, school district buildings, professional meetings, and student's homes as required.

Physical & Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Tools/Equipment Used:  Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals.
• Posture:  Prolonged sitting; frequent bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion:  Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching.
• Lifting:  Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds).
• Environment:  Works inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); frequent districtwide travel to student's homes and to court may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours; works evening or weekend shifts as needed in order to effectively engage students and their families.
• Attendance:  Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands:  Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree from accredited college or university required; degree in Social Science preferred.
• Certification/License: Clear and valid Texas Driver's License required; must be able to obtain National Dropout Prevention Specialist certification and the following certifications: Basic Mediation, Family Mediation, Truancy Mediation, and Restorative Practices within 18 months of employment.
• Experience: 4 years' required, including a combination of the following:
  • At least 1 year working with youth in high-risk situations;
  • At least 1 year of casework experience including home visits and community outreach.
• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) working proficiency preferred in some settings.

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.