Speech Language Pathologist

SALARY RANGE: $63,667 - $90,223

Ad Valorem - 2.40 parish property (ad valorem) tax mills are dedicated to employee salaries.  The annual receipts from this tax are distributed to employees twice a year, one-half in January and one-half in June. The amount of each employee’s supplement is the employee’s salary multiplied by the annual percentage (computed each year based on actual tax revenues).

Job Goal

To identify, assess and treat communication disorders that adversely impact students’ academic, social and functional success, while ensuring compliance with federal, state and district regulations. The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) collaborates with educators, families and other related service providers to develop and implement effective, evidence-based interventions and strategies that foster students’ speech, language and communication skills, thereby enhancing their ability to fully participate in the K-12 educational environment.

Qualifications (minimum education, licensure, skills and/or experience)

Required

• Master’s degree or higher in Speech Language Pathology from an accredited institution.
• Meet all Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) certification requirements for school-based Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs). 
• Ability to meet all local, state and federal guidelines regarding professional practice and services in a school setting.
• Basic understanding of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other relevant special education legislation.
• Familiarity with the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and the role of occupational therapy within a Pre-K-12 educational environment.

Preferred

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience (or more) providing speech / language therapy services to children / adolescents, particularly in a public-school environment.
• Additional coursework or certification in areas such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorders, literacy interventions or bilingual speech-language pathology.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., teachers, administrators, other therapists and families).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including clear documentation and reporting of student progress and outcomes.
• Experience in designing and implementing school-wide or district-wide Occupational Therapy (OT)-related programs or initiatives.
• Familiarity with data collection and analysis for measuring therapy effectiveness and informing program improvement.
• Working knowledge of Google Workspace.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assessment and Intervention 

• Assists with the identification of children with speech, language and/or hearing problems that need rehabilitative speech, language and or hearing therapy.
• Conducts thorough assessments and evaluations to identify student needs, including speech and language needs, establishes goals and develops action plans to support educational and personal growth.

• Designs and implements interventions and therapy programs tailored to individual student needs to achieve educational goals and objectives as outlined in IEPs, ensuring strategies align with district and state requirements and policies. 
• Monitors student progress using standards-based assessments and performance measures.

 Program Development and Support 

• Supports the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and initiatives that enhance student well-being and educational outcomes. 

• Provides input into procedures and practices that promote a positive and inclusive learning environment.  

• Provides training and guidance to school personnel to support the effective implementation and monitoring of therapy program activities in alignment with established goals and practices. 

Collaboration, Communication and Consultation 

• Serves as a resource and consultant to educators, administrators and support staff to address student and family needs and collaborates with community agencies to coordinate services effectively. 

• Provides direct support, resources and interventions to students and families to address academic, emotional, social and physical needs, identifying barriers and implementing strategies to promote student well-being and educational success. 

• Maintains effective communication with local school staff, parents, physicians and other caregivers regarding students’ therapy programs, progress and any modifications of assistance. 

• Builds and maintains positive working relationships by collaborating with supervisors, co-workers, administrators, teachers, parents and other stakeholders to support school and district goals, ensuring seamless service delivery.  

• Responds promptly and professionally to requests for assistance from supervisors and provides timely communication regarding problems or sensitive situations to support effective decision-making and resolution. 

• Participates in staff meetings, IEP conferences, Eligibility Determination Committee meetings and other relevant meetings as scheduled or requested by supervisors to collaborate on student needs, share insights and ensure alignment with district goals and policies. 

Documentation and Record Keeping 

• Maintains accurate, timely and confidential records of assessments, interventions, progress and communications, including all required data for students’ files, to ensure compliance with district policies and professional standards. 

• Prepares and submits required reports and documentation to supervisors in a timely manner, ensuring alignment with federal, state and district guidelines. 

Advocacy and Equity 

• Advocates for students and families to ensure equitable access to educational opportunities, resources and services. 

Compliance 

• Follows school, district, state and federal regulations to ensure compliance.  

• Maintains the confidentiality of student, family and staff information in accordance with federal, state and district policies, including Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable regulations. 

Safety and Security 

• Ensures the safety and security of students and staff by adhering to school safety policies, supervising assigned areas, reporting potential hazards and responding promptly to emergencies in accordance with established protocols. 

• Assists in assessing facilities regarding accessibility for physically challenged students.  

• Monitors and maintains departmental therapy equipment and supplies utilized in therapy programs. 

Professional Development 

• Engages in ongoing professional development and training to stay current with best practices, industry standards and job-related knowledge.  

• Remains informed of new developments in the profession via professional development. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned to meet the needs of the school and district.
• Contributes to district-wide projects and collaborates with other departments on cross-functional goals.
• Maintains a valid driver’s license and a clear driving record, follows all district policies and state regulations for safe vehicle operation, reports any incidents affecting their ability to drive immediately to their supervisor and ensures proper care, maintenance and responsible use of district vehicles if required to use a district vehicle for assigned duties.

Act 311 

In accordance with Act 311 of the Louisiana Legislature, the following duties have been added to this job description to ensure clarity regarding the responsibilities encompassed within this position. These duties are considered part of the employee’s standard job expectations and are compensated within the established salary structure.

Speech Language Pathologists shall be expected to perform the following duties, along with the completion of corresponding documents, forms and reports: 

Non-instructional Components

• Attend department meetings.
• Attend and or host training sessions.
• Attend student and/or parent meetings generally associated with Educational Diagnostician (ED) credential / certifications upon request.
• Attend school faculty and staff meetings upon request.
• Attend IEP meetings as required upon request.
• Attend evaluation, observation, Individualized Accommodation Plan (IAP) and student discipline meetings / hearings upon request.
• Attend parent / teacher conferences upon request.
• Review and finalize reports or administrative tasks.
• Collaborate with community organizations or partners to support district and department programs.
• Attend School Board / committee meetings upon request.
• Clean and organize personal areas.

Physical Demands

This role primarily operates in an indoor, climate-controlled environment, with exposure to minimal temperature variations. The usual methods of performing job functions require light lifting (ten to twenty [10-20] pounds), carrying, pushing and pulling with frequent engagement in activities such as standing, walking and sitting. Additional physical requirements include ability to sit for prolonged periods; frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, data entry and computer-based tasks or other responsibilities; extended use of a computer for data analysis, report generation, communication and administrative duties; manual dexterity for various responsibilities; and adaptability to switch between multiple tasks and manage interruptions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer  

The Plaquemines Parish School System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion or any other legally protected status in its educational programs, activities or employment practices. The district is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect. 

Salary : $63,667 - $90,223