What are the responsibilities and job description for the 1268 School Psychologists (Sioux City and surrounding area) position at Northwest Area Education Agency?
Posting # 1268
Posting date: April 23, 2026
Posting closes: Interviews start the week of May 4. Open until filled
Location: Sioux City and surrounding area
Region: West
Overview
Iowa's Area Education Agencies are educational partners embedded in Iowa schools. We exist to create a thriving educational landscape where all learners and educators have access to high-quality, evidence-based and strategic supports and services, collaboratively provided within districts, to help all learners achieve their full potential.
About the Agency
Northwest AEA provides special education and school improvement services to 34 public school districts and 32 accredited, non-public schools. The agency serves 45,000 students and more than 5000 educators in a 10-county area of Northwest Iowa (Lyon, Osceola, Sioux, O'Brien, Plymouth, Cherokee, Woodbury, Ida, Monona, and Crawford).
Our headquarters is located at 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, with regional offices in Cherokee, Denison, Le Mars, Onawa, and Sioux Center.
Why Northwest AEA?
Our vision, mission, and anchors guide our actions. Staff at Northwest AEA believe that what they do inspires learning and leads to changed lives for the students, staff, and families we serve. Our work is anchored in building positive, professional relationships with stakeholders and with one another. We embrace responsiveness in how we serve so that students, staff, and families can see improved results.
Job Summary
The School Psychologist, in partnership with educators, families and communities, integrates consultative, coaching, and collaborative services within educational systems. School psychologists assist in the identification of educational needs regarding behavioral, social, emotional, academic and vocational functioning for students, consult with school personnel and families around planning and implementation of appropriate instructional programs and provide intervention supports and services for individuals and groups of students.
Working within the agency's educational framework, the school psychologist fosters positive learning environments, ensures compliance with state and federal guidelines, and enhances the overall success of learners B-21.
Qualifications
- Education:
- Master’s or Specialist’s degree in School Psychology, with at least 60 graduate semester hours in psychology and education.
- Licensure:
- Valid Iowa Board of Educational Examiners license with school psychologist endorsement (B-21).
Essential Functions
- Consultation, Collaboration, and Coaching:
- Act as a liaison among the agency, local schools, families, and community organizations to support learners’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional development.
- Collaborate, consult, and coach educators in Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS).
- Provide consultation and coaching to general and special education teachers on instructional strategies and behavior management.
- Assessment and Intervention
- Facilitate the implementation of the Child Find and reevaluation processes, including evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services.
- Assist in developing and implementing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) aligned with state and federal requirements.
- Instructional Support
- Support teachers in adapting curriculum and instructional methods to meet the needs of learners with disabilities.
- Model and coach evidence-based instructional strategies, including co-teaching and differentiated instruction.
- Assist schools in using data to make informed decisions about instructional practices.
- Compliance and Documentation
- Maintain documentation of activities and ensure confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations.
- Ensure adherence to IDEA regulations, state policies, and agency procedures.
- Provide professional development and training to educators, staff, and families to enhance the implementation of effective educational practices.
- Professional Development
- Participate in internal and external (as directed) professional learning activities to stay current with trends and evidence-based practices
Additional Responsibilities
- Advocate for learners with disabilities and promote inclusive practices
- Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments to support teams with developing Behavior Intervention Plans for students
- Conduct evaluations of learners’ educational skills related to academic skills and adaptive behaviors necessary for student success
- Design and model specific instructional strategies to address the unique impact of an individual’s disability on their educational progress
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall goals and objectives of the department, ensuring flexibility and adaptability in response to changing needs and priorities
- School psychologists are authorized to verify services that are reimbursable through Medicaid.
Skills and Abilities
- Assessment and Data-Driven Decision Making
- Intervention Design and Implementation
- Cultural Competence and Sensitivity
- Technology Integration
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Communication Skills and Documentation
- Time Management
Click here for salary schedule.
A transfer shall be considered a change in an employee's assigned region (East, North, West) within the same job role (special education strategist) in another region. If you are interested in making a transfer request, contact Sherri Wing (swing@nwaea.org) for transfer request application. If you are not currently serving in this role (special education strategist) but want to be considered for a role change to this position, please contact Sherri Wing (swing@nwaea.org) for the role change application.
It is the policy of Northwest Area Education Agency not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Jerome Schaefer, Equity Coordinator, 5800 Discovery Blvd., Sioux City, Iowa, 51111, 712-222-6114.