School Psychologist

School PsychologistJob DescriptionPurpose: The School Psychologist provides leadership to teachers and administrators in improving the achievement of students through recognition, prevention and treatment of educational student concerns. To respond to the individual needs and abilities of students, the School Psychologist must work closely with the staff, administration, and parents of the Turner School District.

Responsible: Director of Special Services

Payment Rate: Salary and benefits determined by the Negotiated Agreement (plus 5 supplemental contractual days)

Qualifications:

• Educational Specialist Degree from accredited college/university.

• Current Kansas Department of Education Professional License on file in the Human Resources Office with endorsement in school psychology.

• Health and Inoculation Certificate on file in the Human Resources Office (after employment is made).

• Desire to continue career improvement by enhancing skills and job performance.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the recognition, prevention, assessment and treatment of academic and behavioral concerns of students.
• Establish a positive learning environment and respond to the individual educational needs of students.
• Provide professional leadership to collaboratively problem-solve the effective delivery of research-based instructional practices.
• Ensure all activities conform to Federal, State, and District regulations and/or guidelines and adheres to a school psychology code of ethics.
• Communicate and work effectively and cooperatively with members of the school district, community organizations and agencies to promote a positive, instructionally effective school and district climate.
• Operate all equipment appropriately if needed to perform duties.
• React to change and frequent interruptions in a productive manner, meeting deadlines as assigned.
• Advocate with staff and administration to provide legally appropriate best practices to meet the educational, social, and emotional needs of individual students.
• Implement the vision and mission of the district.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

• Must occasionally work in noisy and crowded environments, with numerous interruptions.

• Have ability to travel in personal or school district vehicle.

• Be flexible regarding scheduling, working conditions, and locations.

• May require some physical exertion.

General Responsibilities:

• Assist with the creation of a well-integrated and seamless system of instruction and intervention guided by child outcome data and according to individual level of intensity and resources.

• Assist in the early identification, screening, instructional intervention, and progress monitoring of student’s learning and behavioral concerns (SIT team process) and verify that scientific, research-based, instructionally relevant and ecologically based interventions are implemented.

• Monitor data-driven results and participate in discussions utilizing student progress information in an effort to make informed, timely educational decisions with the goal of setting high expectations for student achievement and behavior.

• Consult with and assist general and special education teachers in the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions and progress monitoring related to curriculum/instruction and positive behavioral supports.

• Select and utilize the most appropriate and valid assessment procedures and tools with consideration of the diverse needs of students to accurately validate the need for special education services.

• Serve as a resource to educators and other team members in the understanding of response to intervention and ensure the integrity, fidelity, and intensity of this problem-solving model.

• Coordinate and participate in the team process for initial evaluations and reevaluations by providing functional and age appropriate evaluations, classroom observations, interviews, and review of records and determine the eligibility and/or need for placing a student(s) in special education services.

• Have available for parent and team review prior to the meeting eligibility documentation.

• Participate in the development of the Individual Education Plan and supporting documents such as functional assessments of behavior and behavior management plans.

• Display a thorough knowledge of general and special education standards, indicators, curriculum, subject content, and instructional strategies.

• Assist, when needed, in the development of local norms for determining levels of academic achievement.

• Advocate for and counsel students regarding educational and behavioral concerns and support a student’s effort to self-advocate regarding their individual strengths and ability to compensate.

• Communicate and collaborate with other team members in the referral of students and their families to appropriate community agencies and services.

• Commit to locating and employing the necessary resources to ensure that students make progress in the general education curriculum.

• Obtain approval from the Director of Special Services for all special education activities and expenditures in an effort to organize time, energy, workload and resources for the purpose of maintaining a comprehensive program of psychological services.

• Respond to requests for appropriately documented student information in a cooperative, confidential, and timely manner.

• Keep current on new information and provide innovative, research-based ideas and techniques by participating in professional growth opportunities and plan for and conduct necessary training for the implementation of response to intervention procedures.

• Observe all district and school policies while participating in building and system-wide planning and assist in the identification and evaluation of program outcomes.

• Attend staff development in order to implement and follow all Federal, State, and District special education regulations and guidelines, health and safety procedures and policies, and employee obligations, including all precautions of the Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan.

• Perform other duties and assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Special Services and according to the negotiated agreement.

Terms of Employment: Academic year and supplemental contractual days.

Evaluation: Performance effectiveness will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Kansas Statues and Board of Education Policy.

Approved: 08/07/07