Truancy Program Manager
Posted Updated
Summary
Program Manager for Project Go in the Philadelphia DA's Youth Justice Division: leads school, family, and truancy-court partnerships to reduce absenteeism, evaluates School Attendance Improvement Plans, runs onboarding/training, and analyzes program data. On-site Philadelphia role for a mission-driven, youth-services leader.
Position: Project Go, (Truancy) Program Manager
Unit: Youth Justice Division
Supervisor: Project Go, Program Director
Company Description
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is committed to delivering justice and providing vital support to victims of crime. Our Victim Services Unit plays a critical role in guiding victims through the legal process and ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources. We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of victim services and fostering a supportive environment for both victims and staff.
**Please note that effective September 1, 2021, the City of Philadelphia requires all new employees to present proof of vaccination against COVID-19. **
To attain a job with the city, you must be a city of Philadelphia resident within 6 months (180 days) of hire and able to work completely in the office.
Summary of Job
As the Program Manager, you will lead and oversee partnerships with schools, students, and caregivers to identify barriers to consistent school attendance and drive the development and implementation of strategic action plans to address them. In this role, you will evaluate school-based attendance improvement plans, determine eligibility for further intervention through Project Go, and manage escalation to the Regional Truancy Court when appropriate.
As the Program Manager, you will lead and oversee partnerships with schools, students, and caregivers to identify barriers to consistent school attendance and drive the development and implementation of strategic action plans to address them. In this role, you will evaluate school-based attendance improvement plans, determine eligibility for further intervention through Project Go, and manage escalation to the Regional Truancy Court when appropriate.
You will be responsible for onboarding and managing school partners each academic year, designing and delivering ongoing professional development and training opportunities, and ensuring program fidelity and effectiveness. Using a healing-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approach, you will support whole-child outcomes while guiding cross-functional collaboration among internal teams and external stakeholders.
Additionally, you will leverage program data and stakeholder insights to assess the broader social, institutional, and environmental inequities impacting attendance, inform continuous program improvement, and contribute to systems-level change and the redevelopment of Project Go.
The ideal candidate is a mission-driven, strategic, and resourceful leader with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for youth in Philadelphia. The Program Manager excels in stakeholder management, conflict resolution, and collaborative leadership, empowering school staff, partners, students, families, and team members through inclusive and affirming practices.
Duties & Responsibilities
Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity-Building
- Lead trauma-informed, healing-centered engagement (presentations and informational sessions) with school personnel, students, and families on truancy prevention and youth-centered topics to identify systemic and individual barriers to consistent school attendance.
- Annually develop and facilitate orientation sessions for school personnel on PA truancy law, program policies, and best practices. Manage onboarding of school personnel, including review and verification of MOUs and Regional Truancy Court documentation.
- Instruct orientation sessions with school personnel and represent Project Go at school open houses, truancy prevention meetings, and attendance summits to strengthen partnerships, establish intervention strategies, and promote program visibility.
- Implement targeted family outreach initiatives to reduce chronic absenteeism and improve attendance compliance.
- Act as a primary point of contact for students and families through meetings, phone communication, and written correspondence, ensuring clear, timely, and supportive engagement.
- Interface with the Regional Truancy Court hearings as a Project Go representative, and coordinate court-related case management activities.
- Participate in monthly court huddles with DHS TIPS staff and hearing officers to coordinate case management and advocate for partner schools.
Program Oversight and Outcomes
- Review and evaluate School Attendance Improvement Plans, providing feedback to ensure quality, alignment, and program compliance before referral acceptance.
- Oversee and monitor individualized and school-level action plans in collaboration with school personnel to address attendance barriers and improve outcomes.
- Manage referrals to partner schools, ensuring alignment with action plans and continuity of care.
- Monitor, reduce, and sustain low Family Court referral rates by implementing proactive, data-informed truancy intervention strategies through early intervention, family engagement, and school collaboration.
- Track and analyze student progress data in close coordination with partner schools to support sustained attendance improvement. Oversee accurate data entry and quality-control processes that inform the timely preparation of warning letters to families regularly, family conference documentation, and court referrals.
- Generate and distribute Family Conference Reports and Court Satisfaction surveys to partner schools that assess outcomes, ensure timely follow-up, and improve referral and court processes.
Program Operations and Administration
- Partner with the Project Director and Project Go team to evaluate program effectiveness, analyze trends, and develop strategic improvement initiatives.
- Ensure accurate and compliant documentation by maintaining comprehensive physical and electronic case files.
- Develop, revise, and manage program materials, including training curricula, presentations, handouts, and resource guides.
- Manage program calendars, meetings, and operational timelines to support efficient program execution.
Skills & Qualifications
- 2- 3 years of relevant experience working with youth and families in education, social work, case management, behavioral health, or other relevant field in an urban environment; non-profit/government experience is a plus. All qualified candidates must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Must have demonstrated experience interacting with diverse groups of people and mediating conflicts.
- Must be knowledgeable of services for youth and families in Philadelphia.
- Possesses a high level of technical proficiency (Microsoft suite and etc.) with the desire to improve or continuously develop their skills.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including group facilitation skills; Comfortable speaking in small and large group settings.
- Possesses a high level of problem-solving skills.
- Uses appropriate discretion in handling confidential information.
- Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team.
- Possess a valid driver’s license and reliable access to transportation.
- Previous knowledge of PA truancy law, IDEA, FERPA, and the McKinney-Vento Act is a plus.
- Candidates must be organized, flexible, and capable of working under pressure.
- Ability to develop and cultivate effective internal/external working relationships is essential.
- Understanding of the uniquely sensitive and confidential nature of the professional services provided by the Office.
Applications will be active for one year from the date of receipt by the Office.
All exempt employees of the District Attorney’s Office are at-will employees and serve at the pleasure of the District Attorney. The at-will relationship shall not be modified for any employee and no agreement, oral or written, shall be entered into that changes the at-will relationship.
** The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. **