SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general direction, a School Psychologist shall be directly responsible to the Coordinator of Psychological Services for the Washoe County School District. School psychologists will administer psycho-educational services to promote student success, and will act as a resource to students, site administrators, school personnel, parents, and Student Services. Incumbent performs related work as required.

EXEMPLARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

School Psychologists work to find the best solution for each student and situation and use different strategies to address student needs and to improve school and district-wide support systems. School Psychologists provide leadership in initiating and facilitating constructive change in accordance with best practices by providing services as noted below.

Consultation: collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems; help others understand child development and how it affects learning and behavior; strengthen working relationships between educators, parents, and community services; facilitate the collaboration between regular education and special education; and provide support to school staff on procedures and professional topics.

Prevention: design programs for children at risk of failing in the educational environment; promote tolerance, understanding and appreciation of diversity in the school community; participate in developing programs to make schools safer and more effective learning environments; and develop partnerships with parents and educators to promote healthy school environments.

Intervention: participate in problem solving teams to develop academic and behavioral strategies to ensure student progress, including home-school collaboration and adjustments to the instructional environment; provide psychological counseling to help resolve interpersonal or family problems that interfere with school performance; work directly with students, families, and educators to help resolve problems in adjustment and learning; provide training and social skills in anger management; and help families and schools deal with crises, such as death, illness, or community trauma.

Evaluation: support educators and parents in data collection for identifying and verifying problems that require intervention; support educators and parents in collecting data to monitor student progress and the effectiveness of interventions and educational programs; and use a wide variety of techniques at an individual, group, and systems level to evaluate academic skills, learning aptitudes, personality/emotional development, social skills, eligibility for special services, and learning environments and school climates.

Research, Planning, and Training: evaluate the effectiveness of academic and behavioral management programs; identify and implement programs and strategies to improve schools; use evidence-based research to develop and/or recommend effective interventions; and train educators, students, and parents on topics including: data collection for problem solving purposes, instructional and behavior management strategies, substance abuse, crisis management, and working with students who have disabilities or unique talents.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education/Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills would be:

1. Education: Master's or Ed.S. in a field that meets Nevada state requirements for obtaining a Nevada School Psychologist certificate. An Ed.D. or Ph.D is desirable.

AND

2. Experience: A minimum of 2 (two) years working with elementary or secondary students is desirable.

3. Fluency in speaking, reading and writing Spanish is preferred. A stipend is available for school psychologists using Spanish in daily activities at work.

Knowledge of: Staying in compliance with current best practices based on professional literature, resources and/or professional organizations; current professional standards and ethics; current legal requirements and regulations dealing with the Americans with Disabilities Act and special education law; implement federal, state, and district guidelines, policies and procedures relating to providing psycho-educational services; must have knowledge of child development and psychopathology in order to develop and implement prevention and intervention programs for students with a wide range of needs and disorders; must have knowledge of family influences that affect students' wellness, learning, achievement, and be able to form partnerships between parents, educators, and the community; and must know current literature on various aspects of education and child development in order to translate research into practice, and understand research design and statistics in sufficient depth to conduct investigations relevant to their own work.

Skills at: Must be able to define current problem areas, strengths, and needs (at the individual, group, and systems level) through assessment, and measure the effects of the decisions that result from the problem solving process; must have ability to listen well, participate in discussions, convey information and work together with others at an individual, group and systems level; must be able to develop challenging but achievable cognitive and academic goals for all students; provide information about ways in which students can achieve these goals, and monitor student progress towards these goals; must be aware of, appreciate, and work with individuals and groups with a variety of strengths and needs from a variety of racial, cultural, ethnic, experiential, and linguistic backgrounds; must have the ability to understand the school as a system and work with individuals and groups to facilitate structure and policies that create and maintain schools as safe, caring and inviting places for members of the school community; must take responsibility for developing as professionals and practice in ways that meet all appropriate ethical, professional, and legal standards to enhance the quality of services, and to protect the rights of all parties.

Licenses/Certificates: Possession of a Nevada School Psychologist Certificate by time of placement. Possession of a Nevada School Psychologist License is required. Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) is desirable, but not required.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES, AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individual's actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The District prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e. Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.

Salary:
Salary Range: $70, 074 - $119, 265

Salaries are subject to adjustment and may increase and decrease each fiscal year. New employees hired by the Washoe County School District are normally placed on the entry step of the grade of the position.


Internal Job Number: 2019-20-P1900006

Range/Grade: PS

Duty Days: 205

Additional Job Information:
This position is a One Year Only position ending June 2020.

This position is being opened for eligible transfer and simultaneously open to ALL applicants. An Administrator may apply for any position for which s/he is qualified provided that salary grade or salary schedule column is the same or lower than that of his/her current position.

Interested applicants may apply online at http://www.washoeschools.net/domain/257 by completing an Administrative application and attaching a resume and letter of interest to your online Administrative application, or by updating an existing Administrative application by the closing date of the posting (applications must be linked to the job posting to be considered).

The Washoe County School District pays an additional legislatively-designated amount to the Public Employees Retirement System on behalf of the employee for retirement benefits. No retirement contribution is made by the employee.

New employees will be fingerprinted upon hire and every five years thereafter. New employees will have $55.00 deducted from their first paycheck to help defray the cost of fingerprinting. Non-licensed employees will have $55 deduction when their fingerprints are completed every five years. Fingerprint fees are subject to change.

Please be advised there is a 90-day waiting period for insurance benefits. Benefits are paid by employees at a prorated percent for those working less than full time.

Any applicant who would like to request a reasonable accommodation in any step of the selection process should contact the Human Resources at (775) 348-0321.