Psychologist - Behavior Specialist

THIS IS A 245 DAY POSITION (12 MONTHS) THIS POSITION WILL BE WORKING WITH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Position: Psychologist

FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Status: Non-Classified

License Required: Yes (DOE)

Reports to: Chief Schools Officer

Summary

Responsible for coordinating, managing, developing, implementing and monitoring behavior support services and instruction of research-based behavioral strategies for students throughout the school division.  Assists schools with analysis of student data to target professional development and recommend delivery of interventions to close achievement gaps for students. Contacts are regularly and frequently made at all organizational levels within and outside the department to explain and implement programs and policies; professional judgment is required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.

• Interprets data related to improving performance of students with behavior and/or discipline issues.
• Supports in the development and implementation of programs and best practices related to behavior instruction.
• Works to support building level staff to support general and special education teachers to increase positive behavioral supports and interventions for students with diverse needs.
• Coaches support staff as needed in general and special education.
• Works with individual teachers, groups of teachers and/or the entire staff on issues such as: crisis intervention, learning and collaboration issues, and factors that can affect the development and implementation of interventions, student support plans, functional behavioral assessments, and behavioral intervention plans
• Collaborates with other school-based professionals (school psychologists, counselors, etc.) to provide a system of support for students in need of tiered intervention
• Works directly with students who present complex and challenging behaviors that require Tier III support.
• Provides professional development that aligns with federal law, state regulations and PCPS policies and procedures with a focus on behavior.
• Works directly with high school, middle, and elementary students with behavior and emotional concerns to provide direct interventions and support to the student, teacher, classroom and learning community.
• Knowledgeable about special education regulations and procedures.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the Chief of Schools or designee.

Qualifications

• A working knowledge of behavioral science and general education and special education instruction and regulations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively with school staff, administration, students, parents and community agencies.
• Works in a manner which ensures accountability and confidentiality.

Education and/or Experience

• Must have completed 60 graduate hours that culminated in at least a master’s degree from an approved program in school psychology or hold a certificate issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board. 
• Must hold a license issued by the Virginia Board of Education as a School Psychologist or a Clinical Psychologist.
• Successful completion of one academic year of full-time internship as a school psychologist in an accredited school.
• Training and experience necessary to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with children.
• Three to five years of successful clinical or classroom experience building relationships and working with at-risk children and/or children with challenging behaviors is preferred.
• Prior experience managing meetings and communicating compliance related topics is preferred.  
• Prior educational leadership, coaching or curriculum development experience preferred. 

Language Skills

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of parents or the public.

Reasoning/Other AbilitiesAbility to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one-or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

Physical Demands

• Capable of traveling from school to school.
• Capable of carrying heavy items, i.e. laptop computer, LCD projector, textbooks, instructional kits, and other equipment

Salary : $71,501