Title: Dropout Prevention Specialist

Reports To: Principal

Terms of Employment: 10 months

Salary: NC State Salary Schedule

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Qualifications:

· BA/BS in Social Work, School Counseling, School Psychology 

· Three (3) to five (5) years work experience in schools  

· School Social Work, School Counselor, or School Psychologist License 

Supervises: 

· None 

Essential Job Functions: 

· Interprets the North Carolina Compulsory Attendance Law (115C-738), court rulings,  and the Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook relating to student attendance  issues. 

· Gathers and reviews attendance data to identify students who are excessively absent from  school. 

· Collaborates with school staff to develop interventions for students who are truant and  develops individualized dropout prevention plans to improve attendance. 

· Provides supervision and direction to the Hoke County Schools’ attendance liaisons. · Implements case management services (including individual counseling); monitors  student/family progress; and makes referrals to other professional staff members or  community agencies as needed. 

· Serves as a liaison between the local schools and such agencies as social services, court  services, and the law enforcement agencies regarding student truancy. 

· Prepares information for formal hearing/court cases; and represents the school system in  court. 

· Provides families with information related to the needs of their child and act as a resource  to parents/guardians by providing family support activities and communicating the  importance of school attendance. 

· Acts as a resource to administrators, school counselors, teachers, and health services  personnel at assigned schools regarding attendance programs, interpretation of attendance  policies/laws, and recordkeeping requirements. 

· Assists with implementing truancy prevention programs for assigned schools and  recommends strategies to support and improve regular school attendance (i.e.: incentives,  peer groups, and recognitions). 

· Maintains necessary records ensuring confidentiality of students and their families and  prepares related reports.

· Models non discriminatory practices in all activities 

· Performs all other duties as assigned 

Physical and Cognitive Requirements 

The major physical and cognitive requirements listed below are applicable to the Dropout  Prevention Specialist/Counselor job classification within Hoke County Schools. 

Work in this classification is considered light physical work requiring the exertion of up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move  objects. 

Must be able to: 

· Compare, interpret, analyze and generate data and apply basic principles of statistics · Gather, convey and exchange information 

· Communicate effective and efficiently, both orally and in writing 

· Respond appropriately to inquiries or complaints 

· Use tact and courtesy when working and dealing with the community · Apply principles of logical, critical, creative or scientific thinking to define problems,  collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions 

· Deal with abstract and concrete variables 

· Interpret, infer, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate materials, resources, situations and  problems to generate options and solutions 

· Interpret and carry out oral and/or written instructions 

· Demonstrate continued professional curiosity and growth 

· Deal fairly with people beyond giving and receiving instructions 

· Perform under stress, deal with persons acting under stress and displaying emotional  distress and adapt when confronted with emergency situations 

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by  individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of  the position. All employees may have other duties assigned at any time.