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Truancy Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Truancy Specialist

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$48K - $64K/yr

Identifies students at risk for truancy and aids in the enforcement of laws and board policies relating to student attendance. * Investigates all suspected cases of truancy as referred by ...

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Truancy Termination Classes * Mentoring * Independent Living Skills * High School Credit Recovery * Participation in Court Hearings * Document client Progress Notes and Reports in the company ...

Be Seen First

Truancy Termination Classes * Mentoring * Independent Living Skills * High School Credit Recovery * Participation in Court Hearings * Document client Progress Notes and Reports in the company ...

Operations Associate

Brentwood, TN · On-site

$48K - $71K/yr

Support Office Manager with filing truancy petitions Technology/Equipment Support * Support the Associate Director of Data and Technology and Director of Operations to ensure that all staff have ...

Truancy information

What is a truancy officer?

A truancy officer, sometimes known as an attendance officer, is a school or district employee responsible for monitoring student attendance and addressing unexcused absences. Their main role is to ensure that students attend school regularly and to intervene when patterns of absenteeism develop. They may work with students, families, and school staff to identify barriers to attendance and connect students with necessary resources. Truancy officers may also enforce attendance laws, which could involve home visits, counseling, or working with local authorities if absences persist.

What are some common challenges faced by truancy officers and how can they effectively address them?

Truancy officers often encounter challenges such as building trust with students and their families, navigating diverse community needs, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders like schools, social workers, and law enforcement. Addressing these requires strong communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and persistence. Officers can be effective by developing individualized intervention plans, maintaining clear records, and working collaboratively with educators and community organizations to identify and remove barriers to regular attendance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a truancy officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Truancy Officer, you need a background in criminal justice, social work, or education, often with relevant certifications or law enforcement training. Experience with case management software, student information systems, and legal documentation processes is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and cultural sensitivity help you build rapport with students, families, and school staff. These skills are vital to effectively address absenteeism, support at-risk youth, and ensure compliance with attendance laws.

What is the difference between Truancy vs School Attendance Officer?

AspectTruancySchool Attendance Officer
RoleUnlawful absence from school without permissionEnforces attendance policies, assists students in attending school regularly
CredentialsTypically none required, but knowledge of education laws helpsOften requires education or social work background, certifications vary
Work EnvironmentSchool settings, sometimes court or community settingsSchool districts, community outreach, legal or administrative offices
EmployerSchools, courts, or social servicesSchool districts or local education authorities

While truancy refers to students' unlawful absences, a school attendance officer actively works to reduce truancy by monitoring attendance, engaging with students and families, and enforcing attendance policies. The roles are interconnected but distinct, with truancy being a condition and the attendance officer being a proactive professional addressing it.

How to become a truancy officer?

To become a truancy officer, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions requiring a college degree in social work, education, or criminal justice. Relevant skills include communication, conflict resolution, and knowledge of local education laws; experience in social services or law enforcement can be beneficial. Certification or training in child welfare or law enforcement procedures may also be required depending on the jurisdiction.

What are the most commonly searched types of Truancy jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Truancy jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Truancy jobs in Tennessee?

For Truancy jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Truancy job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution.

Truancy Specialist

Hamilton County Schools

Chattanooga, TN • On-site

$48K - $64K/yr

Part-time

Posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Identifies students at risk for truancy and aids in the enforcement of laws and board policies relating to student attendance

  • Investigates suspected cases of truancy, conducts investigations, and reports results, including personal contact with guardians

  • Processes truancy petitions through the court and represents the district at court proceedings


Hamilton County Department Of Education rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 225 rated education and training


Job description

Overview
Orchard Knob Elementary
Orchard Knob Elementary is a PreK-5 school located in Chattanooga, TN. If you are positive, energetic, committed to participating and supporting a learning team, and embrace students and families of diverse cultures, we are looking for you! Our students are "roaring" to learn and our teachers are committed to continual learning.
We expect that all candidates who apply for a position in our school embrace our students and families and actively participate in continual professional learning. We expect and promote a positive, pleasant, and purposeful learning environment for all, and we embrace a culture that fosters the development of life-long learners.
We are looking for teachers who possess exceptional skills in the following areas: relationship building; communication in all forms with students, staff, and parents; classroom management; planning and providing relevant and meaningful instruction; student engagement; collaboration with teammates, coaches, and administration; problem solving; and creativity.
If you are passionate about meeting the needs of the whole child, excited about growing as an educator through participation in ongoing professional development, and motivated to go above and beyond the status quo to see our staff and students succeed, OKE is the place for you!
Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.
Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.
The purpose of this job is to enforce all laws and board policies relating to compulsory school attendance.
Responsibilities
  • Identifies students at risk for truancy and aids in the enforcement of laws and board policies relating to student attendance.
  • Investigates all suspected cases of truancy as referred by administrators and reports back on the results of investigations. Such investigations shall be conducted as necessary, day or evening, and shall include personal contact with the guardian. The truant officer shall attempt to discover the reason for the absence and advise both the student and parent concerning attendance laws.
  • Implements and complies with federal and state laws, state and local school board policy in the area of student attendance. Initiates the petition proceedings when necessary to adhere to Tennessee statutes concerning school enrollment and attendance.
  • Interacts with all stakeholders in a professional and respectful manner.
  • Attends court hearings. Provides monitoring of all petitions until resolved. Processes truancy petitions through the court for habitual offenders and represents the district at such proceedings.
  • Confers regularly with teachers, counselors, principals, and other staff to identify problems of tardiness, attendance, and student truancy. Works closely with school personnel concerning students who are frequently tardy and who have not responded to normal efforts. Confers with students in matters of attendance and tardiness and make a reasonable effort to gain their cooperation to improve attendance.
  • Maintains confidentiality.
  • Acts as a liaison with various social agencies to which students may be referred.
  • Provides residency checks of students as requested by the administrators or school principals.
  • Moves about area, when necessary, during school hours and provides immediate service to pupils. Returns those found truant. Makes home visits or community contacts when necessary to provide appropriate intervention in truancy matters. Maintains good public relations and diplomacy whenever entering the home of a student.
  • Submits a written report to the supervisor on a monthly basis, or as requested by the supervisor, concerning student referrals, investigations, court proceedings, and outcome of each. Submits mileage documentation to the supervisor.
  • Follows established procedures to ensure assigned areas are safe.
  • Works collaboratively with administration and stakeholders.
  • Attends work and arrives to work on time.
  • Maintains confidentiality.
  • Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics as defined by Tennessee Law.
  • Uses computers and other technology to enter and access information related to essential job functions.
  • May operate a motor vehicle to conduct various work activities.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge/Education/Experience:
  • Four-year college degree in a relevant area such as education, guidance, student services or criminal justice preferred. Three (3) years of successful experience with prevention or intervention programs related to education support or truancy prevention/reduction; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Skills/Qualifications:
  • Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrates excellent planning, organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills.
  • Demonstrates good judgment when confronted with angry, emotional students, parents, or custodial parents.

Compensation:
Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.
Grade H
Salary Scale

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