School Psychologist

JOB SUMMARY:

The school psychologist provides a broad array of psychological services to include conducting individual assessment of cognition, achievement and social/emotional functioning, consultation with parents, teachers and administrators, and individual and group counseling with students at all levels of the school division.

REQUISITE EDUCATION AND SKILLS:

• Holds or is eligible for the Virginia Pupil Personnel Services License with an endorsement in school psychology and holds or is eligible for a school psychology-limited license with the Virginia Board of Psychology (VBOP) (for Medicaid billing) or holds or is eligible for licensure as a clinical psychologist through the VBOP
• Strong oral and written communication abilities and productive time management skills
• Leadership qualities and personal characteristics necessary to work effectively with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and colleagues
• Bilingual skills in Spanish is highly desirable but not required
• Knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act.
• Knowledge of state regulations governing special education.
• Knowledge of federal and state criteria for disabilities categories for eligibility.
• Knowledge of tests and measurement, including standardization procedures and the meaning of standard scores, scaled scores, stanines, and percentiles.
• Knowledge of selecting appropriate assessment tools based on reliability, validity, and appropriate norm base.
• Skill in working effectively as a consultant.
• Skill in developing and implementing learning and behavior strategies.
• Skill in written communication.
• Ability to plan and prioritize work in a timely manner.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: (including but not limited to the following)

• Evaluates individual students referred for initial evaluations and triennial evaluations for consideration for special education and related services using a variety of methods including, but not limited to, standardized, norm-referenced and curriculum-based assessment, observation, interviews, and review of pertinent data to determine students' educational needs, and to design interventions to address those needs
• Participates in the special education eligibility process, interprets psychological data, and reviews and synthesizes information to aid in determining appropriate educational services for students
• Provides and explains the educational implications related to assessment results for teachers, parents, and other staff members in order to assist in developing appropriate interventions and making program decisions.
• Assists special education teachers in the development of appropriate goals, strategies, and outcome measurement methods for students with special needs.
• Participates in the FBA/BIP process to address behaviors, which impede student learning.
• Provides strategic individual and group counseling, classroom instruction and consultation with school personnel and parents to promote positive student performance in the areas of social, emotional, and academic development.
• Participates in the assessment of seriousness of student threatening behaviors in order to determine the appropriate course of action, and for students with disabilities who engage in threatening or misbehaviors, ensures that student rights are protected.
• Serves as a liaison between school, home and community in the service of student learning and well-being.
• Coordinates and collaborates with appropriate health, welfare and other services through community organizations, social agencies, and other public and private resources for students in need.
• Provides training to teachers, parents, other school staff and community agencies in methods to enhance the learning and adjustment of students.
• Attends workshops, seminars, classes, and conferences to further continuing education in areas related to best practices in school psychology.
• Consults with individual school and Division leadership in the utilization of data driven action plans which align with the Division goal to impact the achievement gap, graduation rate and allow for effective monitoring of student progress

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have the ability to effectively communicate and interact with other staff and the public through the
use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle, or feel objects and controls. Physical capability to effectively use and operate various items of office related equipment such as, but not limited to, a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine. Some climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, and repetitive motions will be required.

CLEARANCES (Conditions for employment):

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance
• Tuberculosis Screening

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Manassas Park City Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities and equal education opportunities for employees and students as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, management and administration reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.