School Psychologist

SOLON CITY SCHOOLS

Position Description

POSITION: School Psychologist

POSITION TYPE: Certified – Teacher Contract

Qualifications

• A valid Ohio School Psychologist’s Certificate/License.
• A Master’s Degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university with specific emphasis in education and school psychology.
• Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of special education laws and procedures.
• Demonstrated skill in written and oral communication.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with staff, students, and families.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
  
  

CONTRACT

WORK DAYS: 186 days

• Supplemental 20 day contract (see below for supplemental contract responsibilities)
  
  

RESPONSIBLE TO: Director of Pupil Personnel

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Coordinates the special education and related services within assigned building (s) to ensure that effective and cohesive programming is provided to all special education students. Provides consultation and leadership within the District’s Response to Intervention process to assist with data collection, progress monitoring and intervention development for at-risk students.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• The prioritizing of duties and allocation of time shall be in keeping with school district needs and approved by the Director of Pupil Personnel.
• They shall include the following:
• As a child study specialist:
• Completes psycho-educational assessments and coordinates thorough and appropriate evaluations for students suspected of having a disability.
• Completes reevaluations of students in special education every three years or when determined appropriate by the IEP team.
• Aids in the development of positive behavior support plans and interventions for students with behavior and/or social/emotional needs.
• Assists in data collection and progress monitoring to determine when interventions and/or programming may need to be adjusted for special education and at-risk students.
• Provides individual and small group counseling.
• Conducts threat and suicide assessments.
• Serves as an advocate for all students.
• As a staff consultant:
• Takes a leadership role in the District’s Response to Intervention process to assist with data collection, progress monitoring and intervention development.
• Attends and actively participates in IEP meetings to ensure special education compliance.
• Confers with teachers and other educational staff members to offer suggestions to improve student outcomes on a formal and informal basis.
• Makes recommendations regarding special education needs to assist in the development of the master schedule.
• Coordinates the transition process from building to building for special education students.
• As a parent consultant:
• Facilitates parent meetings to communicate and interpret evaluation findings and to make recommendations for services and interventions.
• Attends and facilitates parent conferences to assist in the problem-solving process for special education and at-risk students.
• Responds efficiently and effectively to parent requests and questions regarding their child’s programming and progress.
• Acts as a liaison for community agencies/private service providers to coordinate services for students.
• As a professional staff member:
• Attends regularly scheduled school psychology department meetings.
• Conducts and attends both districtwide and individual building professional development opportunities.
• Works closely with school administrators in the implementation of due process rules and procedures.
• Maintains special education records and files within the building and contributes to the systematic maintenance of District special education records.
• Performs such other tasks and assumes such other responsibilities as
• the Director of Pupil Personnel may assign.
  

Supplemental Contract Duties And Responsibilities

• All responsibilities and duties listed above as they need to be completed during extended time.
• Completes early entrance to kindergarten testing.
• Coordinates the transition process from building to building for special education students, including sharing necessary information and documents with new staff and scheduling/facilitating needed trainings.
• Reviews transfer evaluations and IEPs for new students and coordinates schedule and/or class placement to ensure that all special education services and needs are provided.
• Participates in interviewing candidates for special education positions as requested by building principals and/or Director of Pupil Personnel.
• Mentors and assists new special education teachers in the building to assure their understanding of District policies and procedures.
• Organizes special education files for students transitioning to a new building and facilitates the file transfer to the receiving school psychologist.