Job Description

Job Description: Truancy Officer

Sanford School Department

Position Type: Part-Time, Hourly

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM (during the school year)

Reports To: Assistant Superintendent

Position Summary

The Truancy Officer works to reduce chronic absenteeism and reengage students and families across Sanford School Department's PK-8 schools, including Carl J. Lamb Elementary School, Margaret Chase Smith Elementary School, Sanford Pride Elementary School, and Sanford Middle School. This role focuses on visiting the homes of truant students and working closely with school staff to support consistent attendance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Visit the homes of students identified as truant or chronically absent to reengage families and encourage a return to school
• Work each morning from school-provided attendance lists to prioritize home visits
• Coordinate daily with principals, guidance counselors, social workers, and office staff at Carl J. Lamb, Margaret Chase Smith, Sanford Pride, and Sanford Middle School to identify students in need of follow-up
• Communicate visit outcomes back to school staff and help develop next steps for individual students
• Build respectful, trust-based relationships with families across the Sanford community
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of home visits and communications
• Escalate cases of ongoing truancy to school administration in accordance with Maine attendance law and district policy
• Represent the school department professionally while in the community and in family homes

Qualifications

Required:

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in education, social services, or a related field
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• CHRC (Criminal History Record Check) approval from the Maine Department of Education
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort engaging directly with families in their homes
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use sound judgment in sensitive situations

Preferred:

• Experience working with children, families, or in a school or social service setting
• Familiarity with Maine attendance and truancy laws
• Bilingual or multilingual skills
• Knowledge of the Sanford community

Work Environment

This position requires daily travel to family homes throughout Sanford in all weather conditions. The Truancy Officer will spend the majority of working hours in the field rather than in a school building, with regular check-ins at the four schools to coordinate with staff.

Compensation

School-year position. Hourly Salary range: $22.32 - $31.90