Cypress Connections Academy is a tuition-free, full-time virtual school for students in grades 4-12 in Louisiana. The school receives funding directly from the state, allowing us to provide students with a high-quality learning experience, aligned with Louisiana educational standards, at no cost to families. Connections Academy school programs are supported by Connections Education LLC, which is accredited by Cognia, an organization that offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning and improvement services to institutions and other education providers around the world.
Position Summary and ResponsibilitiesTruancy Advisor is responsible for working with students, families, courts, teachers, and school administrators to ensure that students are attending and engaging in school. The Truancy Advisor will work cooperatively with school counselor and administrative staff, law enforcement, juvenile courts, school districts, and other agencies to effectively intervene and redirect youth towards positive school attendance and towards a healthy lifestyle.
Responsibilities- Collects and prepares data for the purpose of analyzing the truancy process, and to develop recommendations for improving the truancy program;
- Collects and prepares data and reports as required in the day-to-day management of the truancy process;
- Communicates regularly with school staff for the purpose of establishing cooperative and innovative approaches to solving truancy issues;
- Completes status reports for the purpose of demonstrating progress in the truancy process, as well as to help display/project future workload;
- Coordinates with courts, and occasionally law enforcement agencies, for the purpose of collecting and disseminating information pertaining to truancy;
- Develops and implements process, including paperwork to file truancy charges in our school’s impacted parishes. Each parish may differ in what is allowable and what is required in order to file truancy charges;
- Schedules and conducts truancy meetings with parents and students for the purpose of ensuring that attendance and truancy policies are understood and followed and to facilitate improved student attendance;
- Organizes, prepares, and presents truancy information for each student for court hearings and court cases requiring the appearance of a school representative;
- Represents Cypress Connections Academy in truancy court hearings;
- Provides updates and communicates regularly with court and probation personnel regarding truant students; and
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Strong Knowledge of state laws regarding truancy for school age minors and how to file charges in jurisdictions across the state of Louisiana.
- Strong knowledge of Cypress’s attendance reporting and truancy policies, as well as the Cypress escalation system
- 1-3 years of experience in Education, Business, or Social Services is preferred
- Community College and/or Vocational School degree with work experience in a job-related area
- BA in Education, Business, Criminal Justice, or Social Services is preferred
- Valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance
- Ability to multi-task, and a logical mind to assess, filter, organize, and work with data
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Ability to explain information and concepts clearly and concisely, with confidence, and to defend position, when challenged
- Must be comfortable in a court setting
- Ability to communicate tactfully and frankly with high-risk students and families
- Finesse and grace to work through tough conversations with people who are sometimes upset and confrontational
- Ability to build positive relationships and educate courts across Louisiana about attendance and truancy in a cyber-school
- Travel and attendance at in-person events, including State Testing may be required throughout the school year, as determined by the school. This may require overnight travel
- Ability to work some occasional evening hours, as needed to support some families
- Must be able to use a personal electronic device and an email address for two step authentication.
Cypress Connections Academy strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Equal Opportunity EmployerThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Strong knowledge of state truancy laws in Louisiana and filing procedures across parishes
- Strong knowledge of Cypress attendance reporting, truancy policies, and escalation system
- 1-3 years of experience in Education, Business, or Social Services
- Community college or vocational school degree with relevant work experience
- BA in Education, Business, Criminal Justice, or Social Services
- Valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance
- Ability to multi-task and work with data; strong organizational skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Comfortable in a court setting and able to represent the school in hearings
- Ability to communicate tactfully with high-risk students and families and handle confrontational conversations
- Willingness to travel and attend in-person events, possibly overnight
- Ability to work occasional evening hours
- Ability to use a personal electronic device and email for two-step authentication
What We Do
Connections Academy is a tuition-free, fully accredited public education program for students in grades K–12. The company’s program provides a quality curriculum and exceptional state-certified teachers to families seeking a flexible but structured alternative to traditional education.
