School Psychologist

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST DEFINITION Under direction, to evaluate the needs of gifted, handicapped and children in need of psychological services in an educational setting; to perform psychoeducational assessments to determine appropriate programs and instructional processes to enable students to achieve maximum achievement and adjustment; to assist students in understanding and seeking solutions to social, emotional, or academic problems and issues; to serve as a resource pertaining to student behavior management and learning strategies, and welfare and attendance problems and concerns; and to do other related functions as directed. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This position classification requires subject matter expertise psychological assessment and guidance processes. Responsible and directly related assessment and psychological counseling is required to perform problem analysis and arriving at alternative solutions to student academic, psychological, and emotional problems, issues and concerns. The position classification performs decision analysis continually, and makes judgments and decisions of considerable consequence. The functional role of this position classification requires the application of a variety assessment protocols, and interpretation of data, facts, procedures, and policies pertaining student educational programming and psychological adjustments. The incumbents meets frequently with school administrators, teachers, other educational staff and parents to communicate information, data, and alternative problem solutions. This a position classification that performs light work that involves sitting a portion of the time, but does require walking and standing for extended periods. This position requires accurate perceiving of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, handling and working with educational and psychological materials, and providing highly technical oral and written information. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job. ESSENTIAL DUTIES •Performs a variety of individual and group psychoeducational assessment and diagnosis of specific learning, emotional and behavioral disabilities. •Prepares recommendations pertaining to student remediation, placement in special programs, and educational, emotional and behavioral interventions. •Consults and confers with instructional and administrative personnel in the development and implementation of instructional methods and procedure designed to facilitate learning and to overcome learning and behavioral disorders. •Participates in parent conferences, pupil evaluation reviews and provides pupil profiles indicating learning strengths and weaknesses. •Serves as a member of student study teams and collaborates with other team members in planning special programs, and in the use of remedial instructional materials for students with special needs. •Consults with parents to further their understanding of the learning and emotional adjustment processes pertaining to their child. •Counsels pupils individually and in small groups using a variety of data gathering and therapy techniques. •Serves as a resource to site and District personnel and members of the school community concerning youth counseling and guidance services. •Serves as a liaison between the schools, medical authority, mental health and other child service agencies in concern referrals and referral follow-ups. •Assists in the development and monitoring of individual education plans for students with exceptional needs. •May pursue evaluation and research activities to determine the effectiveness of the school psychological service program. •Assists in identifying school psychological service needs, and provides inservice training concerning assessment interpretation, basic learning styles, and child development. •Plans and presents, as requested, a variety of management related reports pertaining to school psychological service functions and activities. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principles, methods, techniques, strategies, and trends in educational, social, and emotional adjustment assessment functions; Applicable and appropriate psychological and achievement appraisal instruments, techniques, and procedures; Social service and youth service agencies in the local area; Social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics of pre-school and school age students; Evaluation and research techniques, strategies, and procedures; Curriculum and instruction programs proven to be beneficial to pupils with special learning needs. Ability to: Effectively and efficiently assess students and aid them in analyzing and developing alternative solutions to behavioral, educational, social, and emotional problems and concerns; Conduct, analyze, and effectively utilize a variety of individual and group counseling techniques applicable to the student with severe learning, behavioral and emotional needs; Effectively deal with site and District personnel, parents, social service, and youth service agencies in resolving student problems and concerns; Effectively participate in the planning and implementation of individual educational and learning plans; Communicate effectively in oral and written form; Understand and carry out oral and written directions with minimal accountability controls; Establish and maintain effective organizational, public, and community relationships. EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skill is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be: Experience: Two years of successful school psychologist experience, or the completion of a successful supervised school psychologist intern program at the elementary or secondary school level. Education: Completion of an earned Master of arts or higher degree program in psychology, counseling and guidance, or a closely related field. Certification Requirement Possession of a valid California credential authorizing service as a School Psychologist. License Requirement Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Condition of Employment Insurability by the District's liability insurance carrier.

Requirements / Qualifications

Requirements / Qualifications