What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Psychologist or School Social Worker position at Great Prairie Area Education Agency?
Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a School Psychologist or School Social Worker.
Prorated contract (plus 2 orientation days initial year) for the 2027-2028 school year or sooner.
Benefits: IPERS, generous paid leave package and monthly cafeteria allotment of $1,050.00.
Salary: 2026-2027 Salary Schedule (based on education and experience).
Region 3: Cardinal, Davis County, Moulton-Udell, Ottumwa, Ottumwa Christian and Seton Catholic.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST
Position Overview:
The School Psychologist will partner with educators, families and communities to develop/promote Great Prairie AEA as an integrated educational system to help ensure success for all learners.
Qualifications:
- Master's or Specialist's degree which includes 60 graduate semester hours in psychology and education.
- Iowa license with school psychologist endorsement (B-21).
Essential Functions:
- Supports school/community efforts to create positive learning environments for all students.
- Serve as liaison among AEA, district building(s), families and community. Collaborate with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
- Provide direct consultation to general and special education teachers related to academic and behavioral needs of student requiring specially designed instruction.
- Comply with policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with Federal and State law, the Iowa Department of Education and GPAEA, which includes but is not limited to developing and maintaining required documentation and record keeping.
- Participate in the development, implementation and assessment of research based instructional interventions and services.
- Assist educators in the design and implementation of a full continuum of educational options to promote success for students requiring special education in the least restrictive setting.
- Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and GPAEA, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
- Actively partners with educational staff in defining a process to collect and consider data within the text of the individual's unique educational circumstance related to progress, discrepancy, and instructional needs.
- Conducts, interprets and implements when appropriate, student assessment including record review, interview and observation, and tests (RIOT).
- Conducts follow-up activities to review student progress and modify interventions as needed or requested.
- Collaborates with the Regional Director and Instructional Service Consultants to support LEAs in improving academic performance for all students.
- Assist teachers in the development of student goals that are aligned with core curriculum in order to guarantee high expectations for all learners.
- Assume other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Regional Director.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the Agency's mission, goals and priorities.
- Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
- Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
- Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
- Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to ask system level questions.
- Ability to collect, analyze and interpret both school-wide and student specific assessment data for instructional decision making.
- Consult with teachers, administrators and families in using effective research based strategies to eliminate the achievement gap between general and special education students.
- Be knowledgeable to support screening, diagnostic and formative assessment within schools.
- Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
- Ability to conduct functional behavior assessments in order to develop effective interventions and supports.
- Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
- Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
- Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can't always be anticipated.
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Position Overview:
The School Social Worker will partner with educators, families and communities to develop and promote Great Prairie AEA as an integrated educational system to help ensure success for all learners.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in social work from a CSWE accredited program.
- Iowa Department of Public Health Social Work License.
- Iowa School Social Work Endorsement OR Iowa Department of Education Statement of Professional Recognition.
Responsibilities:
- Support school/community efforts to create positive learning environments for all students.
- Maintain a current knowledge of school social work practices and related areas of special education.
- Provide direct consultation to general and special education teachers related to behavioral needs of students requiring specially designed instruction.
- Provide appropriate services as specified on the IEP for those special education students found to be in need of assistance with social, emotional and behavioral skills.
- Participate in the development, implementation and assessment of research based behavioral interventions and services.
- Assist educators in the design and implementation of a full continuum of educational options to promote success for students requiring special education in the least restrictive environment.
- Participate as part of an interdisciplinary team in the Child Find Process in order to provide an effective, efficient and economical means of identifying and serving children who require special education.
- Comply with policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with Federal and State law, the Iowa Department of Education and GPAEA, which includes but is not limited to developing and maintaining required documentation and record keeping.
- Assist in liaison activities between home, school and community agencies to facilitate and coordinate services to families with children.
- Assume other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned the Regional Director.
Additional Responsibilities
- Participate in projects, committees or activities to support the Agency's mission, goals and priorities.
- Demonstrate self-discipline and initiative to produce high quality, organized and dependable results.
- Convey a positive and professional image to staff and public.
- Maintain confidentiality of all student information in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc.).
- Pursue professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational direction.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to ask system level questions.
- Ability to collect, analyze and interpret both school-wide and student specific assessment data for instructional decision making.
- Consult with teachers, administrators and families in using effective research based strategies to eliminate the achievement gap between general and special education students.
- Be knowledgeable to support screening, diagnostic, and formative assessment within schools.
- Ability to conduct functional behavior assessments in order to develop effective interventions and needed supports.
- Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
- Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
- Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
- Ability to effectively use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
- Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking. At times, the job may also involve above average levels of activity which can't always be anticipated.
Salary : $2,026 - $2,027