Truancy

Position Title: Truancy Caseworker

Reports To: Executive Director

Terms of Employment: As outlined in work agreement

Location: South Cook Intermediate Service Center Office

PURPOSE: The Truancy Caseworker provides direct intervention and wraparound services to chronically absent students and their families. The role focuses on root-cause analysis, case management, barrier reduction, and connecting families to school and community supports to improve attendance and academic engagement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Security, Counseling, Psychology, or related field preferred.
• Experience working with at-risk youth and diverse communities.
• Experience conducting home visits or case management in schools or social services.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, especially in sensitive conversations.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

PREFERRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and restorative approaches.
• Familiarity with public assistance programs, behavioral supports, and special education processes.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred, if applicable).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: *other duties may be assigned

• Conduct intake interviews and needs assessments with referred students and families.
• Provide case management, progress monitoring, and follow-up for assigned students.
• Partner with school social workers, counselors, and administrators on intervention plans.
• Develop attendance improvement plans with measurable goals and timelines.
• Facilitate referrals to support services such as mental health resources, transportation, special education, or community agencies.
• Conduct home visits to support engagement and attendance improvement.
• Maintain accurate documentation, case files, and progress notes.
• Participate in MTSS, SST, IEP, and re-entry meetings as needed.
• Provide regular updates to districts on student progress, data trends, and outcomes.
• Support parent education workshops and preventative programming focused on attendance.
• Assist in court preparation and attend truancy hearings when required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT *Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regularly required to talk and hear to exchange information in person and by telephone.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or operate standard office equipment.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop or kneel.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office supplies, files).
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• Work is generally performed in a standard office setting with moderate noise levels (e.g., conversations, printers, phones).
• The position requires the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions.
• Duties may involve occasional travel between work sites, schools, or off-site meetings.
• Work hours are typically during the standard business day, but occasional evening or weekend work may be required for meetings or events.
• The work environment is generally climate controlled and ergonomically equipped.