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Start Your Online Application Now Date Closing: 04/17/2026 Attendance and Engagement Specialist 3_31.docx.pdf SECTION I: GENERAL INFORMATION Position Title: Attendance and Engagement Specialist Department: Student Services Immediate Supervisor''s Position Title: Building Principal FLSA Status: Exempt Salary Range: $46,744 to $107,076 Annually General Summary of Purpose of Job: The Attendance & Student Engagement Specialist (Teacher on Special Assignment) is responsible for supporting student attendance and engagement through direct interventions, data analysis, and collaboration with families and school staff at the Secondary building. This role involves working one-on-one and in small groups with students in grades 6-12 to identify and address attendance barriers, develop individualized attendance improvement plans, and implement strategies such as restorative practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and executive functioning support. The Specialist will serve as a liaison between students, families, and community resources, conduct home visits, and facilitate family meetings to improve attendance and student success. Additionally, the position requires monitoring attendance data, ensuring compliance with truancy laws, and providing professional development to staff on best practices for attendance interventions. This role demands strong communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, with a commitment to equity and culturally responsive practices. SECTION II: ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Student Support & Intervention Skills: Knowledge of attendance laws, policies, and interventions Experience with multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for attendance Ability to conduct one-on-one and small group interventions with student s to address barriers to attendance Skills in developing and implementing individualized attendance improvement plans for at-risk student s Experience in restorative practices, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care to re-engage student s Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with student s to encourage attendance and school engagement Experience facilitating check-ins, mentoring, and goal-setting sessions with chronically absent student s Skills in social-emotional learning (SEL) strategies to address student challenges impacting attendance Ability to work with student s on executive functioning skills, time management, and overcoming school-related anxiety Communication & Collaboration: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively interact with student s, families, and staff Experience leading family meetings and student conferences to discuss attendance concerns and action plans Ability to collaborate with teachers, counselors, administrators, and social workers to support student engagement Capacity to serve as a liaison between student s, families, and community resources to address barriers like transportation, mental health, and housing insecurity Skills in culturally responsive communication to engage diverse student populations and families Provide professional development and implementation support on evidence-based and promising practices related to attendance embedded within MTSS Data & Compliance: Ability to track, analyze, and interpret attendance data Experience with student information systems (SIS) for attendance monitoring Understanding of legal requirements for truancy and reporting procedures, including assisting when questions arise regarding requirements and policies Skills in documenting and filing reports with counties and other agencies Ability to assess root causes of absenteeism Capacity to handle sensitive situations with confidentiality and professionalism Home Visits & Community Engagement : Conduct home visits to address barriers to attendance Connecting families with resources and support services Knowledge of community programs that support student attendance and engagement Professionalism & Leadership: Strong organizational and time management skills Ability to work independently and take initiative Commitment to equity and culturally responsive practices Leadership skills to provide training and support for school staff Other duties as assigned SECTION III: WORK REQUIREMENTS AND CHARACTERISTICS EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Minimum education and experience required to perform adequately in position could reasonably be attained only by completing the following: X Bachelor''s Degree from an accredited college or university in the fields of education, psychology, counseling, social work, health or related field X Valid Minnesota teaching license issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Five years of successful teaching experience Two years experience working with at-risk youth at a middle or high school age Two years successful experience in coordinating and facilitating group interactions, meetings, and/or training. Demonstrated successful experience working with educational or social service programs and/or services LICENSE/CERTIFICATION: (Identify licenses/certification required upon hiring: Valid Minnesota Teaching License or five (5) or more years of teaching experience Licensure Requirement (State Law): In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.261, educators working in public preschool, School Readiness, and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs within school districts and charter schools are required to hold a valid Minnesota teaching license by July 1, 2028. Educators with five (5) or more years of relevant teaching experience prior to September 2028 may qualify for an exemption under this law. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Knowledge of: Laws and regulations, including legal issues and requirements related to student attendance and the truancy process. Techniques for providing effective case management services to high-risk youth and families Effective strategies for working with diverse community groups and populations Effective strategies for working effectively as a team member with other youth and adults Effective applications of technology and presentation strategies Experience and Training: Bachelor''s Degree from an accredited college or university in the fields of education, psychology, counseling, social work, health or related field Valid Minnesota teaching license issued by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) Two years experience working with at-risk youth at a middle or high school age Two years successful experience in coordinating and facilitating group interactions, meetings, and /or training. Demonstrated successful experience working with educational or social service programs and /or services Physical Requirements The physical demands and working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions. Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and frequently lift and /or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally required to lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is frequently required to kneel, reach, stand, walk and climb stairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. Benefits at South St. Paul Public Schools: HealthPartners medical coverage for medical and dental 403(b) retirement with district match TRA (Teacher Retirement Association) benefits Flexible spending account Paid time off and leave benefits Complete benefits details available through Human Resources. Benefits vary by position and contract. South St. Paul Public Schools uses the applicant tracking system from Frontline Education to manage employment applications online