School Psychologist

This job posting is for Short Term 2024-2025 school year

Special Services Department

190-day contract

Job Title:  School Psychologist

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's and Master's degree or Educational Specialist degree from a regionally accredited college or university;

and

• 60 graduate hours incorporating the PED approved competencies in school psychology which must include a 1200-hour internship supervised by an appropriately licensed psychologist, 600 hours of which must be in a school-related setting; psychological assessment, counseling, and other psychological interventions with students with emotional disturbances shall comprise a minimum of 300 hours of the internship;

or

• A Doctoral degree in psychology, that includes 12 semester hours of child-focused course work in development, assessment, and intervention and 600 hours of supervised experience in a school-related setting;

or

• Possess a psychologist or psychologist associate license issued by the NM Board of Psychologist Examiners that includes 12 semester hours of child-focused course work in development, assessment, and intervention and 600 hours of supervised experience in a school-related setting

and

• Passage of the NationalT eachers Examination (NTE) Specialty Area in School Psychology

or

• Possess a certificate issued by the National Association of School Psychologists

and

•  Current New Mexico Department of Education license appropriate to the assignment or ability to obtain proper licensure within 90 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph. D. or Ed.D. in clinical, counseling, or school psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association OR Ed.S. (Educational Specialist) in School Psychology from a program accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

Knowledge, Skills and Aptitudes

• Effective organizational and planning abilities;
• Professional written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality regarding students, parents, staff, and school matters;
• Ability to work collaboratively with school staff, parents, and other professionals.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Serves as a resource and consultant to school staff members in the development of instructional strategies including the use of positive behavioral supports that allow students with behavioral challenges to successfully access the curriculum and participate in the academic milieu;  
• Provides student support including participation in school team meetings, development and provision of formal and informal staff training, provision of psychological IEP services, and evaluation of students referred to determine their eligibility for special services based on a behavioral disability;
• Demonstrates knowledge of positive behavior supports within the academic setting;

• Demonstrates knowledge of crisis de-escalation techniques;
• Uses multiple methods to inform integrated student assessments;
• Shares assessment results in a manner that produces positive outcomes for students and parents.

Performance Responsibilities

• Provides individual psychological evaluations for students referred via the Educational Diagnostician or MDT/IEP teams;
• Uses a variety of methods to assess the psychological factors influencing learning processes and participation in the academic setting;
• Provides a written report reflecting evaluation/screening findings and related recommendations for educational placement and instructional strategies;
• Serves as a member of the IEP committee as needed;
• Consults with parents in gathering data for and interpreting results of evaluation and in making recommendations for educational placement and instructional strategies;
• Collaborates with students, parents, staff and administration; gather, maintain, and submit accurate, complete records as required;
• Receives and maintains assessment materials and supplies as provided by the District;
• Provides psychological services as indicated in student IEP;  
• Maintains continuous record of students evaluated and of IEP services delivered;
• Provides training and consultation to school teams regarding positive behavior supports, crisis de-escalation, intervention techniques,  psychological/behavioral topics, and legal requirements for students with disciplinary problems including chairing Manifestation Determination Review;
• Provides supports and consultation to teachers regarding behavioral strategies;
• Collaborates with support services offered by the District to aid the evaluation and intervention process;
• Develops and maintains an environment conducive to valid assessment procedures when evaluating students;
• Takes all necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities;
• Maintains a professional relationship with colleagues;
• Upholds and enforces school rules, administrative regulations, and Board policy;
• Is punctual in meeting all school schedules;
• Schedules time appropriately to provide adequate service to the school(s);
• Maintains and improves professional competence as required by District and state;
• Demonstrates knowledge of essential subject matter related to student assessment, intervention and special education instruction;
• Demonstrates effective use of oral and written expression;
• Attends and participates in Department staff meetings, in-services, and other meetings as required;
• Complies with state-approved New Mexico Administrative Code of Ethical Responsibility of the Education Profession and the RRPS Employee Standards of Conduct and upholds and enforces rules, administrative directives and regulations, school board policies, and local, state and federal regulations;
• Employee may be assigned other duties based on the needs of the district during the term of employment.

Work Hours: Work hours are established in employment contract.  Additional work hours may be assigned by the Executive Director of Special Services within the parameters of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Bargaining Status: BU

Accountability

Reports to:                  Executive Director of Special Services

Evaluated by:              Executive Director of Special Services/Designee