School Psychologist

REPORTS TO:  Director of Special Education

FAIR LABOR STANDARD ACT:  Exempt

POSITION CLASSIFICATION:  Professional

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  10 months

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Baccalaureate Degree in Education; Master’s Degree in Psychology
2. Valid Missouri Certificate from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School Psychologist
3. Experience in the public school setting preferred
4. Proven background in instruction, assessment and professional development
5. Serves as a resource for other school personnel, parents and agencies
6. Assures District compliance with state and federal regulations
7. Effective leadership skills and experiences
8. Possess collaborative and interpersonal skills
9. Excellent written and oral communication skills

JOB SUMMARY:

The School Psychologist will support the implementation of the requirements of the IDEA and goals of the District.

REQUIRED EXPECTATIONS:

• Be punctual and have consistent and regular attendance.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of each child by responding to their emotional, social and physical needs, as well as their education needs.
• Supports the mission of the Webb City R-7 School District.
• Supports the value of education.
• Complies with the privacy rights of students; safeguards confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Utilize developmentally appropriate practice and best practice methods at all times.
• Be warm and nurturing with students.
• Be customer service oriented and professional.
• Provide excellent customer service according to the standard of the District.
• Works to meet goals of the department and District with a spirit of cooperation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The duties of the School Psychologist will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Display competent knowledge of individual assessment approaches, procedures, instruments and statistics.

• Develop rapport and relate appropriately and effectively with children under evaluation.
• Make recommendations on ways to support and provide interventions for students who need educational modifications.
• Demonstrate adequate knowledge of child and adolescent development.
• Be sensitive to and knowledgeable of the challenges of assessment considering the individual diversity of the child, including cultural/ethnic factors.
• Participate in meetings as necessary (staffing, training, IEP’s, etc.).
• Follow the policies and procedures of the District.
• Respect confidentiality of student information and records.
• Be familiar with Special Education regulatory requirements and assist with process as appropriate.
• Foster effective communication with students, parents and other staff members.
• Possess effective organizational and time management skills.
• Develop a trusting and reflective professional partnership with all staff.
• Provide written reports of assessment for student evaluations.
• Collaborate with building and support staff throughout the District to meet the needs of students.
• Make recommendations to the Director of Special Services concerning the need to obtain additional medical, psychological and/or psychiatric information on an evaluation.
• Collaborate with outside agencies, parents and teachers to meet the need of students.
• Review student records for the screening and evaluation process of students.
• Provide group and individual lessons on social skills development.
• Be a member of the building level diagnostic team on assessments of all students who are suspected to have disabilities (i.e. gathering student historical data, administering IQ tests, administering projective testing, observations, clinical interviews, adaptive assessments, etc.).
• Be a member of the screening team in a building as requested.
• Plan and implement in-service sessions on behavioral strategies and interventions.
• Plan and implement staff development with District and building staff on new and revised testing instruments.
• Conduct home visits as needed.
• Establish and maintain clear communication and cooperative working relationships with a variety of educators and groups.
• Prepare reports, maintains program files and record keeping systems for accountability.
• Models positive behavior for students (i.e. inter-personal communication, processes, social interactions, etc.) for the purpose of providing educational and life skills training.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress and appropriate professional manner for the work setting.
• Demonstrate effective human relations and communication skills.
• Adhere to good safety practices.

• Ability to understand and adhere to all District rules, regulations and policies.
• All other duties as required or assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• stand, walk, sit and talk/hear;
• occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl;
• occasionally push, pull or lift up to 50 lbs; and
• be able to see, including close, distance and depth perception.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.