School Psychologist

DEFINITION: Under the direction of the Director of Special Services, serves as Psychologist to students in Kindergarten through 12^th grade. Evaluates needs of average, gifted, disabled, and disturbed children within educational system or school, and plans and carries out programs to enable children to attain maximum achievement and adjustment by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Counsels students and parents and consults with staff in the development of appropriate behavior goals
• Assists students, parents and staff in the development of realistic personal expectations
• Develops individual and group problem solving techniques
• Develops interpersonal relationship skills
• Provides a climate within which parents, students and staff can gain assistance with problems
• Evaluates students in relation to learning needs
• Develops hypothesis, aggregates data, and makes recommendations
• Develops instructional program with staff to meet students' needs; recommends behavior management techniques to staff and parents; recommends curriculum alternatives and specific instructional strategies to staff and parents; assists staff in utilization of strategies recommended
• Interprets test data; researches available tests necessary to meet individual school needs; provides in-service training for staff on standardized administration techniques; interprets individual and group test data to staff and parents
• Serves as liaison for school referrals to community resources; maintains contact with outside community agencies; appropriately utilizes outside agencies based upon identified needs of students
• Plans, implements and evaluates staff development activities in the area of behavior management, testing and guidance, and teaching strategies
• Participates in the development of school and District programs.
• Conducts diagnostic studies to identify child's needs, limitations, and potentials; observes child in classroom and at play; studies school records; consults with parents and school personnel; and administers and interprets diagnostic findings
• Plans special placement or other treatment programs
• Counsels pupils individually and in groups to assist pupils to achieve personal, social, and emotional adjustment.
• Carries out research to aid in introduction of programs in schools to meet current psychological, educational, and sociological needs of children
• Advises teachers and other school personnel on methods to enhance school and classroom atmosphere to provide motivating educational environment
• Serves as consultant to school board, superintendent, administrative committees, and parent/teacher groups in matters involving psychological services within educational system or school; conducts needs assessments, researches, writes, develops and evaluates schemes for specific programs at the district level
• Refers individuals to appropriate community agencies to secure medical, vocational, or social services for child or family
• Participates in planning of remedial classes and testing programs designed to meet needs of students

CREDENTIAL:

• Valid California Pupil Personnel Services credential authorizing service in School Psychology
• Valid California Driver License
  
  EDUCATION:

Master's Degree from an accredited college or university PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.