POSITION DESCRIPTION

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

Reports to: Director of Exceptional Student Services/Principal

General Description of Duties (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

To evaluate students to determine eligibility for special education services.  To collaborate with teachers, administrators and families as we as mental health professionals to create and maintain safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments for all students.  To strengthen connections between family and educators.

Salary Level

Level 6 - pursuant to Cherokee Central Schools Salary Schedule

Fair Labor Standards Act Status

Exempt

Term

10 Months

Qualifications/Experience

Minimum requirement of a Master’s Degree in psychology and have at least three years’ experience working in a school setting.  Must hold state license to practice school psychology.

General Description of Duties (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

Major Functions

FUNCTION: Responsibilities

•             Responsible for initial evaluations for students referred to special education.

•             Responsible for three year evaluations for students served by special education.

•             Recognize issues of diversity that may affect interactions and organizations and modify routine practice to meet these needs.

•             Display skills need to work with students, families, and staff from different cultures and backgrounds.

•             Use technology professionally and ethically.

•             Maintain confidentiality of student information.

•             Understand and apply federal, state and local policies while delivering psychological services.

•             Collect, analyze and interpret program evaluation data.

•             Evaluate effectiveness of school based intervention and prevention programs.

•             Understand the organization of schools and systems change to provide leadership in developing and implementing early intervention and prevention programs.

•             Use empirically supported strategies to design, implement and evaluate effective policies.

•             Employ practices that promote home, school, and community partnerships and enhance learning and mental health goals of students.

•             Identify diverse cultural issues, situation, and other factors that influence family, school and community interactions and address such issues when developing and providing services.

•             Demonstrate knowledge regarding the social, affective and adaptive domains of child development.

•             Apply sound principles of data based decision making to all aspects of practice.

•             Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work, communicate and collaborate effectively with teachers, staff and family as part of the IEP team.

•             Collaborate with IEP team members to develop appropriate cognitive and academic goals for students with different abilities and disabilities.

•             Access students’ cognitive, academic and socio-emotional abilities using a variety of instruments that are appropriate for the individual student.

•             Demonstrate expertise in collecting, managing and interpreting various types of individual and group data.

•             Attend faculty meetings.

•             Serve on committees as requested.

FUNCTION: EVALUATION

•             Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

•             The job will require sitting, standing, walking, lifting, speaking, visual and hearing acuity. 

•             May be required to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force as needed to move objects.

•             Shall be required to reach with hands and arms, and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers and/or controls.

OTHER (NON-REGULAR)

•             May be asked to perform any other duties as requested by Director of Exceptional Education Program.

•             Must be able to work independently.

•             Must possess the ability to multi-task.

Appearance/ Disclaimers:

All staff are expected to dress in a professional manner, in accordance with the personnel policy, at all times when on duty.  This Position Description is not a binding contract.  Management, with approval of the School Board, has the right to alter this position description without notice.