What are the responsibilities and job description for the Diagnostician (25-26) position at Special Services Department?
Job Title: Diagnostician
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/Professional
Reports to: Director of Special Services
Pay Grade: PG 3, Admin/Prof Spt.
Dept./School: Special Services
Date Revised: 03/04/2025
Other: Federally Funded
Duty Days: 197
Primary Purpose: Provide student appraisal, Special Education compliance and instructional leadership to Special Education and regular education staff within the district. Implement the special education assessment process. Assess the educational, functional, and service needs of students referred for special education services. Provide diagnostic information and work cooperatively with instructional personnel to provide the most appropriate services for students with disabilities.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Master’s Degree in related field
Valid Texas teacher certificate preferred
Valid Diagnostician’s Certificate or Licensed Specialist in School Psychology
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of current diagnostic procedures, education of special education students, human development, and learning theories
Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Understanding and knowledge of evidenced based strategies for supporting the needs of students with disabilities to ensure access and progress in the general curriculum.
Experience:
Three years teaching experience preferred
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Assessment
- Plan and conduct legally compliant initial and triennial evaluations for special education using current measures and techniques.
- Select and administer formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and Texas Education Agency regulations.
- Collect and organize relevant assessment data from the student's educational record, classroom teachers(s), principal, support staff, parents, and outside resource staff.
- Conduct classroom observations and personal interviews.
- Conduct or participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with interpretation of assessment data, development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures, and determination of needed supports and services.
Consultation
- Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
- Assist classroom teachers with implementation of IEP.
- Consult parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
- Consult parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.
- Support special and general education staff in monitoring the progress of special education students and in making recommendations for services to ensure students appropriately access and make progress in the general curriculum.
Program Management
- Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
- Advocate for students to ensure receipt of needed services.
- Assist in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
- Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the assessment program and make changes based on findings.
- Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
- Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the areas of assessment, placement, and planning for special education services.
- Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
- Participate in professional development activities to improve skills related to job assignment.
- Coordinate with campus staff (e.g. ARD Administrative Assistants and campus administrators) to ensure ARDs are scheduled and held within legal timelines.
- Monitor and ensure adherence to all special education timelines (evaluation timelines and annual ARD review).
- Prepare and draft ARD paperwork according to district procedures
- Review and verify the accuracy of ARD documentation and IEPs.
- Distribute finalized ARD documents to relevant staff and parents within the required timeline.
- Work closely with the Administrative Assistant to review compliance of ARD paperwork, ensuring all required components are complete and accurate.
Communication
- Maintain a positive and effective relationship with campus based staff and supervisors.
- Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
General Employee Requirements:
- Quality of Work – complete assignments meeting quality standards, to include accuracy, neatness, thoroughness and adherence to standards and safety rules.
- Quantity of Work – demonstrate the ability to manage several responsibilities simultaneously, perform work in a productive and timely manner, and meet work schedules.
- Work Habits – display a positive, cooperative attitude toward work assignments, working diligently to accomplish tasks assigned.
- Communication – communicate in a positive manner with others, to include listening and responding appropriately, expressing ideas orally and in writing in a manner that helps build a positive climate for the organization.
- Dependability – adhere to time frames, monitor projects and exercise follow-through, be on time for meetings and appointments, and respond appropriately to instructions and procedures.
- Cooperation – work well with co-workers and supervisors as a contributing team member, demonstrate consideration of and maintain rapport with others, and help others willingly.
- Initiative – seek and assume greater responsibility, monitor projects independently as required, and follow through appropriately.
- Adaptability – adjust well to any change in duties, procedures, supervisors or work environment, accept new ideas and approaches to work, and respond appropriately to constructive criticism and suggestions for work improvement.
- Judgment – effectively analyze problems, determine appropriate action for solutions, and use logical thinking to exhibit timely and decisive action.
- Attendance – attend work on a consistent basis, taking care to consider the use and number of absences in accordance with policy so that the organization is not negatively impacted.
- Punctuality – arrive to work and depart from work according to department and district requirements
Supervisory Responsibilities: As requested by the Director of Special Education.
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular district wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned; moderate lifting and carrying. May be required to lift and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
Salary : $66,137 - $91,615
