Position Type:
SEL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL SUPPORTS/ School Psychologist

Date Posted:
10/4/2019

Location:
Various School Locations
(High-Needs School)

Date Available:
ASAP

Closing Date:
Until filled

TITLE : School Psychologist CLASSIFICATION: Certified

FLSA : Exempt DEPARTMENT: Curriculum

SALARY : Local 1220 Union Member WORK YEAR: 210 Day

REPORTS TO : Director of Special Education and Building Principal

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Under the direction of the Director of Special Education the School Psychologist will be r esponsible for pre-referral consultation/intervention/Multi-Tiered Student Support Team (MTSS), as well as screening and identification of students referred for possible special education services and providing consultation to staff, students, and parents. The School Psychologist monitors the completion of case study evaluations and participates in Individual Education Plan (IEP) conferences and problem-solving meetings designing systems, programs and services that maximize students' social, emotional, and educational success. In collaboration with staff, families, students, and communities the school psychologist promotes effective educational environments.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Psychology or related field
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator's License with School Psychologist endorsement
• Experience related to children and family services

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of :

• Federal and state laws/regulations regarding special education
• Record keeping techniques
• IEP preparation and implementation methods and procedures
• Testing practices, procedures and methods
• Individual and group counseling techniques
• Cultural differences in student population

Ability to:

• Develop, write and implement comprehensive Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for special education students
• Utilize various testing techniques, materials, equipment and instruments
• Prepare and maintain confidential records and files
• Work confidently with discretion
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others

Skills:

• Strong organizational skills
• Interpersonal Communication
• Counsel effectively with students and parents

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Essential Job Functions)

• Participate as a standing member of the RTI/MTSS team within the assigned school
• Observe students
• Serve as an assessment specialist who may screen at-risk children for intervention, monitor progress during intervention, and assess instructional strategies
• Consult with teachers to discuss and suggest instructional strategies/interventions
• Collect information through observations, interviews, surveys, and other methods
• Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
• Use their knowledge to affect positive social, emotional, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental changes in students
• Support and coach staff to improve overall behavior proficiency
• Monitor student response to curriculum modification
• Serve as an instructional intervention specialist who plans intervention and individual education programs on the basis of all the necessary curriculum components
• Implement or supervise the implementation of intervention
• Participate in ongoing training/inservice related to job duties
• Consult with teachers and other team members on an ongoing basis
• Assist the special education teacher write definite goals for each child
• Support educational testing in Special Education Classes
• Suggest changes in curriculum
• Suggest methods of class management
• Assist in obtaining needed materials
• Consult with: Department of Mental Health, Mental Health Center, Children's Center for Behavioral Development, Children and Family Services, Physicians, Hospitals
• Take part in yearly review staffing re: each child's placement needs
• Conduct a complete re-evaluation of each child's placement needs. This is to be done every two (2) or three (3) years
• Write letters asking for information from agencies which are cooperating with the School District
• Conduct parent conferences and participate in parent groups
• Release information to other Districts when the child moves and evaluate information from other districts when the child moves into the District
• Do therapy with children who have extraordinary needs
• Consult with principals and teachers in the standard program
• Participate in in-service meetings
• Attend psychiatric consultations (monthly), with Mental Health Center, 708 Board and other professional mental help staff
• Evaluate children in Districts 188 and 189
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Director of Special Education

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust and temperature. Frequent interruptions throughout the day. May be exposed to stressful situations. Maintain effective critical thinking skills needed for making observations, reading and writing, communicating with others Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include frequent standing, sitting, walking, occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.