Specialist, Attendance (10004)

BASIC FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITY: Under the supervision of the Director of PEIMS & Data Quality, the attendance specialist leads technical assistance and oversight for campus personnel regarding student attendance accounting procedures. The position serves to protect district funding, reporting accuracy, and audit readiness by managing the lifecycle of campus and district student attendance records in accordance with Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) Local Schedule SD and the TEA Student Attendance Accounting Handbook, ensuring that all physical and digital documentation are accurately maintained, securely archived, and readily available.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or GED
• TASBO certification preferred

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of the Skyward Student SMS 2.0.
• Strong knowledge of the Texas Student Attendance Accounting Handbook and attendance rules tied to funding, eligibility, documentation, and audit requirements.
• Strong knowledge of Texas Education Data Standards and PEIMS business rules related to student attendance.
• Knowledge of six-week attendance reporting timelines and year-end PEIMS Summer Submission attendance reconciliation.
• Knowledge of attendance event coding, calendars, membership and eligibility concepts, withdrawal timing, and missed school day documentation.
• Ability to analyze large-scale data to identify underlying trends and root causes; translate findings into clear procedural documentation and train campus PEIMS staff.
• Ability to communicate clearly with attendance clerks, registrars, assistant principals, principals, counselors, PEIMS staff, and special program staff.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle student information with accuracy and professionalism.
• Skill in communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in preparing and maintaining accurate records and reports with established deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, parents, and district employees.
• Ability to prioritize and organize work responsibilities.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of Texas public school experience in attendance, registrar, PEIMS, or student information systems required
• Demonstrated experience with student attendance accounting, data analysis, and attendance support
• Experience utilizing student information systems like Skyward Student

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: The essential functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the characteristic duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities noted herein; however, this is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions found in this job description.

Main Responsibilities & Duties:

• Assist in the development and implementation of student attendance accounting processes for the district aligned to the TEA Student Attendance Accounting Handbook and Texas Education Data Standards.
• Coordinate the record retention process for all campus and district student attendance records per TSLAC retention schedules.
• Supports preparing, promoting, and validating data for the TSDS PEIMS Attendance and PEIMS Summer submissions.
• Monitor daily, six-week, and year-end attendance data to improve accuracy before state reporting deadlines.
• Assist with district/campus meetings, training, workshops, and onboarding staff regarding student attendance accounting.
• Train campus attendance clerks on attendance accounting procedures, documentation requirements, and district procedures.
• Build district tools, checklists, templates, and communication pieces that help campuses review attendance consistently.
• Provide Skyward Student support in the area of student attendance accounting configuration, attendance data entry, and generating attendance reports.
• Performs attendance data entry for the district’s DAEP, 18+, and homebound programs.
• Generate campus and district six-weeks reports student attendance in compliance with the Student Attendance Accounting Handbook.
• Assist in reviewing various special program coding to ensure the district receives the appropriate weighted funding.
• Facilitates analyzing student attendance and enrollment data to ensure accuracy and performs desk audits to maximize funding.
• Create and customize student attendance reports for various departments as requested.
• Collaborate with other district departments by providing reports and verification checks as needed.
• Support internal audits, desk reviews, TEA requests, ESC questions, and district attendance reconciliations.
• Escalate recurring system or process issues and help coordinate corrective action with campuses, district departments, and vendors when needed.
• Attend all regional PEIMS workshops and assist with disseminating information to various stakeholders.
• Maintain current knowledge of TEA guidance, Student Attendance Accounting Handbook updates, TWEDS changes, and district policy changes.
• Visit campuses as required to promote positive relationships between the campus staff and the PEIMS department.
• Shall comply with District policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulation.
• Shall comply with the standards of conduct set out in Board Policy (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards.
• Develop and maintain a strong sense of customer service.
• Work effectively with a team.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None

MENTAL DEMANDS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
• Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
• Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
• Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (less than 30 pounds)
• Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior office work environment with little or no exposure to physical risk.
• Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress