School Psychologist

** You must apply on our website to be considered for this position: www.aberdeen.k12.sd.us

POSITION SUMMARY

A school psychologist is a mental health professional who works within a school setting to assess, diagnose, and intervene with students experiencing academic, behavioral, or developmental challenges, collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to develop and implement strategies to improve student learning and well-being. This position will primarily focus on identifying the root causes of student issues and providing support through individual or group counseling, psychological assessments, and consultation services to optimize the learning environment for all students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Conducts individual psychometric assessments of students.
• Prepares evaluation reports to be shared with evaluation teams and parents.
• Participates in building evaluation team meetings to recommend eligibility for special education and plan interventions for students.
• Participates in parent conferences and IEP meetings and communicates with parents as needed.
• Utilizes evaluation and intervention techniques consistent with current professional standards.
• Builds good interpersonal relationships and establishes positive rapport with students, colleagues, administrators and parents.
• Establishes student success as a primary goal and provides opportunities for students to experience success. Contributes to a learning climate that promotes the orderly behavior of students while maintaining the dignity and positive self-concept of each student.
• Consults with teachers, parents, and school personnel to enhance students’ learning, social and behavioral skills.
• Works directly with students, families, and teachers to help solve problems related to academics and behavior needs.
• Seeks out and participates in professional staff growth experiences.
• Provides social skills training, behavior management, and other interventions necessary for the Student Needs Team.
• Participates in school and District committees and abides by Board policies, rules, and special education handbooks.
• Plans and conducts research to stay abreast of new interventions, techniques and services available to families.
• Communicates with local physicians and mental health providers.
• Adhere to all district policies, handbooks, and regulations.
• Support the philosophy and mission of the Aberdeen School District.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures and methods of school psychology.
• In-depth knowledge of applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, policies and regulations and impact in the school setting.
• Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Knowledge of research and data analysis methods, techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of project management principles and methods.
• Knowledge of District organizational structures and interrelationships and impact of culture’s role in working relationships.
• Knowledge of modern school psychology methods, practices, and procedures.

• Knowledge of the District’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, state, and federal regulations related to department programs and operations.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.

• Ability to communicate inside and outside of the organization to communicate organizational direction.

• Skill in conducting long-range planning, including the preparation of work plans and coordination of project teams.

• Skills in human relations, leadership and conflict management.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize and resolve issues, complete various and conflicting work assignments in a dynamic environment.

• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.

• Relationship building, consulting and collaborative team building.

• Provide courteous customer service to and work effectively with the general public, the media, supervisors, co-workers, and employee organizations representing various diverse backgrounds.

• Research and analyze a variety of complicated information and data, interpret and make recommendations based on research findings, write reports, create spreadsheets and present information.

• Adapt to fast paced and changing environments.

• Ability to adjust to differing organizational structures, cultures, leadership and work styles.

• Proficient use of computers and related software applications, online tracking systems, Internet research tools, and reporting applications.

• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits with minimal direction and supervision.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to supervise and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work has no exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic).

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education Specialist degree

• South Dakota Teaching Certificate and an endorsement as a school psychologist.

• Valid Driver’s License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• School psychologist experience preferred

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Employment is contingent upon a Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance, paid for by the applicant.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.