This is a certificated management position.

The School Psychologist, under the supervision of the Director of Instruction, utilizes knowledge of human development and psychology to provide a variety of diagnostic, clinical and intervention services which facilitate learning and development of students.  These services include assessing and diagnosing student’s ability, social-emotional functioning, and diagnosis of learning problems.  Services also include Section 504 participation, interventions for the prevention of future problems, consultation, direct therapeutic services, liaison with agencies and individuals, in-service training, and parent programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assessment
Selects and utilizes assessment instruments appropriate to student’s handicapping condition, background, age, and history while demonstrating sensitivity to socio-economic and developmental factors.  Assessments include but not are not limited to learning disabled, emotionally disturbed and severely handicapped.

Administers, scores and evaluates tests in a clinically accurate manner that honors state an federal timelines. 

Observes student in a variety of settings, interviews parents, school staff and others to gathe relevant information.  Reviews and interprets student records.

Presents data in both written and oral reports in a readable/understandable manner with sufficient detail so parents and professionals understand the basis for the findings.  Unusual findings are highlighted and discussed.

Prepares written reports using illustrations such as descriptions of behavior, verbatim reports and/or task analysis, to communicate assessment results.  The written and oral reports integrate various test findings from a variety of sources.  Appropriate history is included and referred to in the findings.  The conclusion is supported by empirical data and suggestions regarding future programming are included.

The oral report of the assessment findings is delivered in a perceptive and sensitive manner within the state and federal legal timelines.

Consultation Services
Provides teacher consultation services on topics such as:  child development, behavior assessment/interventions/management, emotional indicators evidenced in the classroom, family issues, and  teaching strategies for all areas of skill development.

Provides parent consultation services on topics such as:  child development, behavior management, emotional concerns, family problems, referral to community resources, and helping parents to understand and address their child’s needs.

Provides student consultation services on topics such as: school programs, referral to other resources, family concerns, behavior assessment/interventions and therapeutic and clinical interventions.

Provides administrative consultation services on topics such as:  student placement, program planning, student records, crisis interventions, Section 504 assessments, behavioral assessment/interventions, in-service training, personnel disputes, and case  management.

Other consultation services on topics such as:  community and governmental agencies regarding special education services, appropriate learning objectives, private therapists and other specific student and school services, family life education or other curriculum, in-service training for teachers, administrators and other school psychologists.

Communications                                                                    
Communicates effectively in written and oral language. These communications are timely and efficient.

Provides timely information and input to the Director of Instruction, the Director of Special Education, and school site administrators regarding student safety, assessment, emerging conflicts, and difficult IEPs.

Documents in writing all case related communications.

Effectively consults, facilitates and/or works with a multi-disciplinary team as part of the school community.

Provides current information on available community resources to staff, parents, students, and administration.

Meets regularly with the Director of Instructional Services regarding special education programs, in-service and professional development.

Other Duties
Serves on district committees and Task forces as assigned by the Director of Instruction.

Performs other duties that are reasonably consisted with the role of School Psychologist.

Attends District Psychologist meetings, Special Education Department meetings, management meetings, and other meetings as assigned by the Director of Instruction.

Helps provide summer psychological services.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, SKILLS REQUIRED:
Ability to assess and diagnose students to determine specific learning, emotional, and behavioral disabilities using a wide variety of measurements/tests.

Ability to organize, plan, coordinate, analyze and communicate assessment results to a wide audience.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, and administration.

Demonstrates an extensive knowledge of special education policies/procedures regarding assessment, eligibility, behavioral plans/interventions, and therapeutic services.

Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, for a variety of audiences that include students, parents, staff, other agency personnel and public presentations.

Demonstrates effective listening skills.

Demonstrates effective collaboration and problem solving skills when working with multi-disciplinary teams, IEP teams and with outside agency personnel.

Demonstrates mastery of basic computer skills which include PC word processing, e-mail, internet, database, spreadsheet, and student information systems.

Demonstrates ability to work independently, take initiative and provide self-directed leadership at the school sites.

QUALIFICATIONS
California School Psychologist Credential

Experience in providing psychological services to a large school site