School Psychologist

JOB DESCRIPTION

GARDNER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POSITION:   School Psychologist High School                    

QUALIFICATIONS: Massachusetts Certification as School Psychologist   

REPORTS TO: Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Principals           

                     JOB SUMMARY: 

As a school psychologist, works to support the success of students academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. Collaborates with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community for all students. Identifies and assesses the learning, development, and adjustment characteristics and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and adjustment. Provides interventions to students to support the teaching process and to maximize learning and adjustment. Assists in the planning, development, and evaluation of programs to meet identified learning and adjustment needs. Delivers a planned and coordinated program of psychological services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Assessment and Interpretation: Conducts comprehensive psychological and psychoeducational evaluations to identify student disabilities, examines developmental history and its impact on learning, studies adjustment characteristics, and the needs of individuals and groups in the learning and home environments. Considers the environmental factors that affect learning and adjustment and makes recommendations relevant to learning. For students that are transitioning at age 22 or into state provided agency services, this individual collaborates on a final abilities assessment is completed for students with intellectual disabilities before the student ages out or graduates from school.

Uses assessment data about the student and his/her environment(s) in developing appropriate interventions and programs. May assist in conducting student observations for re-evaluations and initials.

Provides written reports and an oral presentation to parents and staff at Team   meetings and individually when needed.

• Direct Interventions for Students: Acts as a behavioral resource in providing interventions to students to support the teaching process and to maximize learning and adjustment. Provide individual and small group counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems.

• Consultation and Training: Provides consultation to parents, teachers, other school personnel, and community agencies to enhance the learning and adjustment of students.

• Program Development: Assists in the planning, development, and evaluation of programs to meet identified learning and adjustment needs within a tiered system of support. Works with Administration to collect and analyze data related to school improvement, student outcomes, and accountability requirements. Works with Administration to design and implement academic and behavioral interventions and student progress monitoring systems

• Professional Practice and Development: Maintains confidentiality and applies ethics and standards of professional practice and observes relevant laws and policies that govern practice. Participates in building leadership teams and student support teams. Participates in professional organizations and continually seeks to improve professional knowledge and skill. Will reinforce the correct state, federal, and district processes as needed. The school psychologist is responsible for reporting issues that are out of compliance to both the Director of Pupil Personnel Services and Principal or their designee.

• Communication and Relationship Skills:  Communicates effectively with students, parents, and schools. Required to interview students and parents relevant to developing a background history of student performance. Participates in weekly district special education department staff meetings. Coordinates with Team Chairs and other related service providers as to consents for testing and testing schedules.

• Team Meetings: May be required to take on the role of Team Chair during re-evaluations, initials, additional testing or extended evaluation meetings for all grades in absence of the Team Chair. May be required to review information shared from other sources during a Team meeting and review that information with the Team.

• Manifestation Determination Process: Aids in the determination process and coordinating the FBA/BIP process. Shares and instructs staff and parents on the implementation of an FBA/BIP. Acts as a resource for special education staff needing assistance in drafting and implementing behavior plans.

Professional Development: Responsible for assisting the Principal and Director of Pupil Personnel Services in providing professional development activities to staff.

OTHER DUTIES:

1. Maintains licensure and professional competence by attending staff development programs, and other professional activities.
2. Performs any other related duties as assigned by the Principal or Director of Pupil Personnel Services or other appropriate administrator.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: School Year plus professional development days

SALARY AND BENEFITS: As per MTA/GEA contract

EVALUATION: As per MTA/GEA contract

Salary : $54,596 - $98,183