School Psychologist

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Special Services Director, the School Psychologist provides case consultation on psychological/educational issues for students who have, or are suspected of having educational disabilities. As a part of the evaluation team, the School Psychologist assesses students in areas for which they are exclusively trained: cognitive, academic, functional, behavioral, social, emotional and curriculum-based assessments. environments.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Builds a foundation of positive relationships, high expectations, equitable systems, and SEL-informed practices, which will drive daily practices and beliefs when working with students.
• Possesses knowledge of principles and research related to resilience and risk factors in learning and mental health, and ability to apply services in schools and communities to support multi-tiered prevention (MTSS, Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports, Restorative Practices).
• Conducts assessments (including curriculum-based) and interprets results for special education eligibility.
• Understand and comply with current legislation and regulations for special education.
• Participates as a resource in the development of IEP's and assists in monitoring them for accuracy.
• Assists in program development in collaboration with other professionals who provide services to children within the school and community.
• Provides direction and support to classroom staff in implementing individually designed programs.
• Provides case management when appropriate.
• Applys current psychological research in an educational setting.
• Supports student's social, behavioral and academic skill development.
• Assists in creating positive classroom and team environments..
• Designs, implements, and evaluates individual and group interventions.
• Conducts functional behavior assessments where required.
• Assists teachers in the implementation of academic and behavioral intervention programs.
• Participates in the research, planning and implementation of school wide programs.
• Support Tier I implementation and support the design of interventions.
• Leads the collection and analysis of student data.
• Analyzes grades, discipline referrals, academic progress, and the effects of intervention programs.
• Collaborates in student progress monitoring at the building level.
• Acts as a liaison for students who transition to/from community learning environments.
• Travels to and from district sites to deliver school psychology services.
• Professionally interacts with students, staff and public.
• Establishs and maintains professional boundaries with students.
• Complies with all district policies and procedures and with the Code of Professional Conduct.
• Establishs and maintains collaborative working relationships with staff, administrators, parents, support groups, governmental and community service agencies, and proactively involve these groups in assessment, intervention and evaluation.
• Performs related duties within the intent and scope of the position as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate certification with School Psychology endorsement.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field from an accredited college or university.
• Commitment to effectively working with underserved students.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work as a member of a team.
• Demonstrated positive, willing attitude with mature and direct problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement, professional growth, and increased student achievement.
• Knowledge of methods of assessment; systematic processes to collect data, translate assessment results into empirically based decisions about service delivery and evaluate outcomes of services.
• Knowledge of learning processes, appropriate instructional interventions to meet students’ needs, and the ability to implement and assess their effectiveness.
• Knowledge of behavioral mental health, collaborative and/or consultation models and methods and their application.
• Successful WA State Patrol and FBI fingerprinting clearance.
• I-9 Employment Eligibility in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
• Completion of all district-required trainings within thirty (30) calendar days form hire date.
• Skilled in using proper grammar and English in oral and written communications as well as correct spelling usage.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience as a School Psychologist, preferably in a school system or other pediatric practice setting (preferred).
• Flexible and enthusiastic.
• Experience managing and promoting positive student behavior.
• Experience and/or training with cultural, ethnic and language diversity.

Desired Skills and Abilities:

• Child development expertise.
• Familiarity with school rules, codes, and standards.
• Basic special education methods and procedures for dealing with students with moderate to severe physical, emotional, and/or learning disabilities.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions and observe School policies and procedures; Demonstrate patience in working with students of varying abilities and disabilities.
• Prepare, maintain, and present required reports, records, and documentation.
• Maintain a calm personal demeanor and remain focused in situations of high stress.
• Maintain student and district confidentiality.
• Operate classroom and standard office equipment, including a personal computer using programs appropriate to assigned duties.
• Familiarity of IEP Online Special Education Platform.

Work Environment:   

Itinerant position: required to travel throughout the district to provide services.

Working conditions may include but are not limited to: a high-paced environment with constant interruptions, including health room, office, classroom, playground, school grounds, and general school environments; requires a great deal of energy, flexibility, and patience to meet many varied situations. Work space is not always constant; may be required to shift working area and to share workspace with other staff; must feel comfortable dealing with a diverse range of behaviors which may include upset or distraught students and staff; may experience any type of emergency situation; dealing with a wide range of student health problems and crisis; exposure to infectious diseases and bodily fluids; occasional attending to individual student’s personal hygiene; observation of and adherence to strict health codes; work may require travel throughout the district in inclement weather; frequently required to wear protective clothing; may be required to perform medical treatments in a classroom setting; required to supervise unlicensed staff in multiple buildings.

Physical Requirements Include:

• Continuous (2/3 to all the time, possibly the full day): Talking, hearing, seeing, handling, fingering, grasping.
• Frequent (1/3 to 2/3 of the time or up to 5 hours of an eight-hour day): standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, reaching.
• Occasional (1/12 to 1/3 of the time or up to 2 ½ hours of an eight-hour day): sitting, lifting, carrying up to 10 pounds, turning, twisting, kneeling.
• Rare (0 to 1/12 of the time, 40 minutes of an eight-hour day): climbing, balancing, jumping, pushing, pulling.
• Not Present: crawling.

Reports to: 

Reports to the Special Services Director. Takes direction from Building Administrators.

Evaluation:

The Special Services Director will evaluate the School Psychologist pursuant to the currently established district procedures and evaluation criteria. The process shall include an evaluation of the employee’s performance of the above essential job functions.  

Our District Commitment to Non-discrimination:

San Juan Island School District does not discriminate in recruitment or any programs/activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinator |Faith Knight, Human Resources Director | (360) 370 -7904 | faithknight@sjisd.org, Section 504/ADA Coordinator |Becky Mudd Bell, Special Services Director | (360) 370 -7911 | beckybell@sjisd.org, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator Faith Knight, Human Resources Director | (360) 370 -7904 | faithknight@sjisd.org

Classification History:

Developed 2024