Momentum Academy is a public charter school district with four campuses in St. Louis City, serving scholars in grades PK-8. Momentum promotes academic excellence in an environment of mutual care and support that builds character, confidence, and community among each of our scholars so that they reach their full potential.

Role

Under the supervision of the Special Education Coordinator, the School Psychologist Intern will facilitate CARE team/problem-solving teams, educational evaluations, eligibility determinations, and manage 504 plans, in order to maximize student participation and involvement in the general education curriculum.

Start Date: July 1, 2024

Essential Responsibilities

• Conduct multidisciplinary evaluations for special education and Section 504 eligibility.
• In collaboration with the Special Education Coordinator, this position will also assist with the following: 
  • Schedule and facilitate Review of Existing Data meetings with parents and school teams.
  • Effectively communicate procedural safeguards to parents and obtain written permission to evaluate.
  • Review student files and data gathering packets, including the collection of pertinent data from physicians, mental health professionals, and other agencies working with the child.
  • Administer diagnostic tests and procedures to determine student’s cognitive capability, processing strengths/weaknesses, academic achievement, social-emotional-behavioral and adaptive behavioral functioning.
  • Coordinate assessment activities with other members of the diagnostic team (e.g. speech/language, occupational/physical therapy, Functional Behavioral Assessments, Assistive technology evaluations).
  • Schedule and conduct eligibility evaluation and re-evaluation conferences with parents and school staff.
• Ensure that eligibility decisions are made in compliance with DESE criteria and established professional practice. 
• Participate in problem-solving, Section 504, and grade level team meetings as requested.
• Complete informal assessments including observations, interviews, curriculum-based measurements, functional behavioral assessments, and other structured clinical tasks for students identified as off-track academically or behaviorally.
• Provide short-term and crisis intervention including classroom and group activities.
• Engage in social-emotional-behavioral consultation, conduct functional behavioral assessments, assist with creating and implementing behavior intervention plans.
• Facilitate the use of appropriate data to meet individual student needs and assist teams in data-based decision-making. 
• Provide guidance when building leaders express interest in developing systems, which support team problem-solving.
• Provide individual counseling and lead social skills groups for various students.
• Provide training for staff and parents regarding assessment-related procedures and eligibility criteria.
• Serve as a member of the School Intervention Team for students being considered for evaluation.
• Other duties as assigned by the Special Education Coordinator

Qualifications

• Intern applicants must be enrolled in a School Psychology program (preferably UMSL) and are required to seek provisional certification as a school psychologist in Missouri.

Competencies

Momentum Academy believes in embodying Core Values in interaction with the internal and external community, by exhibiting these competencies: 

Love Above All Else

• See the person, listen and seek to understand

• Assume positive intent

• Respond with compassion

Integrity

• Be honest and own it

• Follow through with your commitments - dedicated to a fault 
• Do what is right even with it’s uncomfortable

Together We Can

• ​​Everybody's voice matters - center humanity

• Be dependable and lending a hand

• Be open to share your challenges so others can support and collaborate

Solutions Driven 

• Take initiative to solve the problem on your own, first
• Don't just present the problem, collaborate around it to solve
• Address (the source) the problem head on, but don’t be scared to ask for helP
• Be proactive not reactive - prevent the fire

Joy

• Acknowledge [everyone] with positivity 
• Build purposeful relationships and restore when harm is done Celebrate success (shout outs praise)

Required Skills

• Proficient with Outlook, Excel, and Google platforms. 
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written)
• Strong organizational skills, accuracy, and self-motivation are required.
• The ability to effectively prioritize work and handle multiple tasks while meeting deadlines is required.
• Strong word processing, data entry, spreadsheet and database skills are required, experience with student data management databases (SIS, Infinite Campus, etc.) is preferred.
• The ability to present information and respond to questions from parents and school staff in a positive, professional manner is required.
• The ability to solve problems and respond to situations in a calm, caring manner.
• The ability to remain flexible & positive with the demands of the job without losing sight of the mission, task, or assignment is required.
• The ability to work as a team player, communicate and collaborate with building and district staff is required.

Special Notes

• Salary: $30,000 per year, and comprehensive benefits.
• Clinical supervision by a certified & experienced school psychologist is included in the terms of this agreement.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.