The Wayland Public Schools is seeking a School Psychologist to join its mental health team at both the Claypit Elementary School and Wayland High School to support student learning, social development, and mental and behavioral health using problem-solving, assessment, data-based decision-making, and the delivery of evidence-based interventions. School psychologists collaborate and consult with educators, families, and other professionals to help create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The school psychologist functions as a member of the Wayland’s Student Services Team. In each school, this team collaboratively provides special education services to meet the individual needs of students with identified educational disabilities. In addition, school psychologists work with administrators and general education colleagues to provide a multi-tiered system of support through the implementation and monitoring of evidence-based behavioral and academic interventions for all students in need. Both general education and special education services provided should reflect the specific needs of the students, families, and schools served and address the following non-exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and expectations:

Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability

School psychologists utilize varied models and methods of assessment and data collection for identifying the strengths and needs of individual students and the broader school community, developing effective services and programs, and measuring progress and outcomes. 

Consultation and Collaboration

School psychologists consult and collaborate with colleagues, students, families, and other stakeholders to promote effective implementation of services.

Interventions and Instructional Support to Develop Academic Skills

School psychologists, in collaboration with others, use assessment and data collection methods, and to implement and evaluate services that support cognitive and academic skills.

Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills

School psychologists, in collaboration with others, use assessment and data-collection methods to implement and evaluate services that support socialization, learning, and mental and behavioral health, including but not limited to behavioral supports, individual and group counseling, and social skills training. 

School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning

School psychologists, in collaboration with others, develop and implement practices and strategies to create and maintain effective and supportive learning environments for children and others (e.g., positive behavior interventions and supports

Preventive and Responsive Services

School psychologists promote services that enhance learning, mental and behavioral health, safety, and physical well-being through protective and adaptive factors and to implement effective crisis preparation, response, and recovery.

Family-School Collaboration Services

School psychologists implement and evaluate services that respond to culture and context and facilitate family and school partnerships and interactions with community agencies for enhancement of academic and social-behavioral outcomes for children.

Diversity in Development and Learning

School psychologists provide effective professional services that promote effective functioning for individuals, families, and schools with diverse characteristics, cultures, and backgrounds and across multiple contexts, with the recognition that an understanding and respect for diversity in development and learning and advocacy for social justice are foundations for all aspects of service delivery.

Research and Program Evaluation

School psychologists evaluate and apply research as a foundation for service delivery and, in collaboration with others, use various techniques and technology resources for data collection, measurement, and analysis to support effective practices at the individual, group, and/or systems levels.

Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice

School psychologists provide services consistent with ethical, legal, and professional standards; engage in responsive ethical and professional decision-making; collaborate with other professionals; and apply professional work characteristics needed for effective practice as school psychologists, including respect for human diversity and social justice, communication skills, effective interpersonal skills, responsibility, adaptability, initiative, dependability, and technology skills.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment

• Conduct culturally sensitive psychological evaluations in the area of suspected disability
• Write social-emotional and self-regulation IEP goals based on students’ current performance and skill development
• Write progress reports for students provided counseling as documented on the IEP service delivery grid
• Participate in the Team process to determine eligibility for special education, review progress toward annual goals, and make adjustments to the IEP when needed 
• Consult with Team regarding student cognitive processes, learning ability, behavior, and social-emotional development, as well as any recommended interventions and accommodations

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• DESE License as a School Psychologist 

• Minimum of three years public school experience

• Excellent oral and written language skills