School Psychologist (2025-2026 school year)

Stark County Educational Service Center

Psychologist

Supervisor:  Executive Director of Student Services/Designee and Building Principal/Designee 

Summary/Objective:  Provide psycho-educational assessments, program planning, and consultation services that are consistent with the service center’s mission and mandated requirements.  Facilitate parental involvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Secure and maintain a valid Ohio Educator License as required by placement or assignment
• Ohio BCI and Federal Background check free of disqualifying infractions
• Comply with drug-free workplace rules and board policies
• Participate (and pass where applicable) in all required training, including but not limited to: Bloodborne Pathogens, Crisis Intervention, Educator Ethics, etc.
• Embody high ethical standards, integrity, and accept responsibility for decisions and conduct
• Efficiently operate Google Applications including Gmail, Drive, Sheets, Docs, etc. 
• Adhere to the Stark County Educational Service Center (SCESC) Governing Board policies/administrative guidelines/staff handbook, policies of the assigned district/worksite, and the to the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Educators
• Promote the proper use, care, and security of SCESC property and report misconduct, vandalism, equipment malfunctions, and other concerns
• Advance the professional image of the SCESC and affiliate districts
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with coworkers and colleagues promoting a cohesive work environment
• Report suspected child abuse and/or neglect to supervisor and/or civil authorities as required by law
• Maintain confidentiality of student related information
• At least one year experience working with children ages birth to 18
• Such alternatives or additions to the above as deemed appropriate by the ESC superintendent

Essential Functions:

• Monitor education laws, rules, and regulations.  Help ensure that program policies/procedures support non-biased assessment/planning activities.  Facilitate compliance with legal mandates
• Consult with staff to identify ongoing/emerging school psychology needs of students
• Provide consultation and therapeutic intervention services, obtain informed consent before providing services, facilitate decision-making processes, help the family/student understand how services relate to the educational program,  monitor the efficacy of interventions.
• Participate in a differentiated referral system that allows staff and parents to request a Multi-Factored Evaluation (MFE) and/or consultation for non-disabled students
• Develop a service schedule, administer diagnostic tests, interprets results,  provide objective recommendations that facilitate student participation in appropriate learning activities
• Develop and implement protocols to safeguard student assessment results that are shared with staff and/or referral sources and ensure that confidential materials are stored appropriately
• Maintain compliance with ODE, MSP, districts and SCESC requirements and timelines in relation to evaluations, assessments, treatments, communications, and documentation in paper and electronic formats
• Perform initial evaluation, annual review and 3 year evaluation for students with suspected disabilities
• Develop appropriate goals and objectives based on student need for inclusion in the IEP
• Select and provide appropriate evidence based intervention strategies and skilled techniques in the least restrictive environment
• Use physical space to make it conducive to student progress and demonstrate safe work practices
• Attend IEP meetings for students with occupational therapy needs
• Assist districts in MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports) by providing education, screenings, classroom collaboration, and attending team meetings
• Collaborate with teachers and other school personnel to transfer the students’ newly learned skills and/or intervention strategies for supported learning in the classroom
• Advocate for children, initiate referrals to community resources as needed (e.g., legal, health, welfare, etc.), serve as a contact for public agencies
• Comply with federal/state policies/procedures for the education of students identified as having a disability, work with staff to ensure that services are provided in the least restrictive educational environment, participate in due process procedures as requested
• Assist with “child find” and preschool/kindergarten screening activities as requested
• Coordinate the Multi-Factored Examination (MFE) process, meet mandated paperwork timelines, help the Intervention Assistance Team (IAT), prepare an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students meeting eligibility requirements, and participate in parent/student conferences
• Coordinate manifestation determination and functional behavior assessments meetings, help staff implement behavior management plans, monitor student interventions, provide ongoing communication and support for teachers
• Participate in the identification of students meeting gifted program eligibility criteria
• Consult with staff to facilitate the early identification of mental health risks
• Document observations of students in classroom settings
• Help students better understand themselves and others, conduct counseling sessions as needed (e.g., personal conduct, conflict mediation, grief, etc.)
• Consult with parents as needed (e.g., phone calls, E-mail, written notes, meetings, etc.)
• Help staff and families address student concerns (academic difficulties, excessive absences, behavior mental/physical health, family/peer relations, etc.)
• Help parents understand and improve parenting skills
• Check on absent students as requested.  Help administrators resolve attendance problems
• Serve as a resource for drug/harassment/violence prevention and related school safety activitiesDemonstrate receptiveness to supervision and use feedback to augment or modify professional behavior.
• Communicates and cooperates effectively, professionally, and respectfully with students, families, and school/community professionals
• Assist with the planning, development, and implementation of grant programs upon request in consultation with appropriate county/district personnel
• Attend and participate in designate Stark County Educational Service Center staff and department meetings
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement by reading and attending such meetings, conventions, and conferences as are necessary to keep abreast of the latest occupational therapy developments and trends

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing essential job functions.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions:  Promote safety, exercise caution, and comply with safety regulations and district/educational service center policies/procedures when involved in the following situations:

• Risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and/or communicable diseases
• Potential for adverse contact by aggressive students
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes
• Balancing, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching and standing
• Lifting, carrying, and moving work-related supplies and/or equipment
• Operate and/or ride in a vehicle
• Work at various heights, in confined spaces, and/or invariable/diminished lighting
• Report misconduct or violations of policy and procedures to the direct supervisor, appropriate administrator or legal authority (mandating reporting)

Performance Evaluation:

Job performance is evaluated according to the policy and procedures adopted by the Stark County Educational Service Center Governing Board.

The Stark County Educational Service Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, gender, religion, marital status, military status, or disability.  Individuals are selected for employment based only on merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. This job description is not intended to be a complete list of required duties and it is understood by the employee that other related and reasonable duties will be required if requested by an immediate supervisor or administrative staff member.  This document is subject to change in response to student need, staff factors, funding variables, modified operating procedures, program/curriculum changes, and unforeseen events.  The employee is expected to follow all policies and procedures in accordance with the Stark County Educational Service Center and district or department assignment.