School Psychologist

JOB PURPOSE
 
Provides direct support and interventions to students; consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies; work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. Position performs specialized psychological work in an educational setting to enable students to achieve optimal learning. Position collects, interprets, and synthesizes information about a student's sensory motor/perceptual functioning, academic achievement, intelligence, social/emotional adjustment, and significant crises that influence academic and behavioral functioning. Position works cooperatively as an interdisciplinary team member to provide services and to devise appropriate services for referred students and their families.
 
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
 
Maintains an accurate and effective working knowledge of the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Improvement Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, other applicable federal and state disability laws and their implementing regulations as they
relate to school psychology in general, and to the roles and responsibilities of a School Psychologist as defined by the National Association of School Psychologists:
 
Improve Academic Achievement
• Promote student motivation and engagement
• Conduct psychological and academic assessments
• Individualize instruction and interventions
• Manage student and classroom behavior
• Monitor student progress
• Collect and interpret student and classroom data
• Reduce inappropriate referrals to special education.
 
Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health
• Improve students communication and social skills
• Assess student emotional and behavioral needs
• Provide individual and group counseling
• Promote problem solving, anger management, and conflict resolution
• Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience
• Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving
• Make referrals to and coordinate services with community-based providers
 
Support Diverse Learners
• Assess diverse learning needs
• Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds
• Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities
• Modify and adapt curricula and instruction
• Adjust classroom facilities and routines to improve student engagement and learning
• Monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student progress
 
Create Safe, Positive School Climates
• Prevent bullying and other forms of violence
• Support social–emotional learning
• Assess school climate and improve school connectedness
• Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice
• Implement school-wide positive behavioral supports
• Identify at-risk students and school vulnerabilities
• Provide crisis prevention and intervention services
 
Strengthen Family–School Partnerships
• Help families understand their children's learning and mental health needs
• Assist in navigating special education processes
• Connect families with community service providers when necessary
• Help effectively engage families with teachers and other school staff
• Enhance staff understanding of and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Help students transition between school and community learning environments, such as residential treatment or juvenile
   justice programs
 
Improve School-Wide Assessment and Accountability
• Monitor individual student progress in academics and behavior
• Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome data
• Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes
• Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels
 
Perform other tasks assigned by immediate supervisor.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
 
Must possess an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree and a valid State of South Carolina School Psychologist certificate. Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of school psychology theory, child development, child and adolescent psychopathology and psychometric principals as related to psychoeducational testing. Must possess the ability to work cooperatively as an interdisciplinary team member. Must possess excellent communication and time management skills. Must possess knowledge and have an understanding of education leadership. Most possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, administrators, students, families, team members, community agencies, and others.