What are the responsibilities and job description for the Licensed Specialist School Psychology (2025-26 School Year) position at wacoisd?
Job Title: Licensed Specialist School Psychology
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/At-Will
Reports To: Coordinator of Special Education
Pay Grade: 104 / 202
Dept./School: Special Education
Date Revised: August 2020
Education/Certification:
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt/At-Will
Reports To: Coordinator of Special Education
Pay Grade: 104 / 202
Dept./School: Special Education
Date Revised: August 2020
Primary Purpose:
Perform professional psychological work in assessment, behavior management, and counseling for students with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, cognitive disabilities, Autism, and behavioral problems. Assess the psychological and psycho-educational needs of students referred to special education services.Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Master's degree in psychology from accredited college or university
Valid Texas license as a licensed specialist in school psychology granted by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of procedures for assessing achievement and intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functions for education purposes, including cross-battery evaluation practices Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior management interventions
Knowledge of psycho-social development
Strong consultation skills for conferencing with teachers, parents, and students Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Experience
Two years experience in providing psychology services in an educational setting
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
- Select and administer assessments and observations to evaluate the intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning of referred students and to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and state regulations.
- Score and interpret test data.
- Develop psychological evaluation reports and behavior management plans.
- Conduct or participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with appropriate placement and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
- Serve as case manager and implement the special education assessment process for students on assigned campuses.
- Conduct group, individual and family counseling sessions and facilitative therapy for students with diagnosed problems.
- Serve as consultant on mental health topics for instructors in the school health program.
- Consult with school staff regarding implementation of behavior intervention plans and in managing behaviorally disruptive students.
- Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel with identification and understanding of students with emotional, social, and behavioral disturbances.
- Meet with parents to discuss pertinent background information and test results.
- Consult with teachers and relevant staff concerning the educational needs of student and interpretation of assessment data.
- Consult with psychologists, psychiatrists, medical doctors, and community agencies concerning intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning of students as needed.
- Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
- May provide clinical supervision to intern or trainee.*
- Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of psychological services and assessment procedures and make changes based on findings.
- Assist in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
- Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including case records, test results, statistical data, and test inventories.
- Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy in the areas of psychological services, 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.
- Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
- Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
- Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly.
- Provide professional development as necessary to support district goals and vision.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular district wide travel to multiple worklocations 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.
*Note: An LSSP must have a minimum of three years of experience providing psychological services in the public school to provide supervision of an intern or trainee.
Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
Non Discrimination Statement
The Waco Independent School District (District) as an equal opportunity educational provider and employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or genetic information in educational programs or activities that it operates or in employment matters. The District is required by Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Board policy not to discriminate in such a manner.
For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title IX, please email titleixcoordinator@wacoisd.org or contact Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and/or Waco ISD Coordinator of Student Management at 254-755-9410 and/or Waco ISD Director of Athletics at 254-745-2250. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII, as amended, contact Waco ISD Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources at 254-755-9410. For information or complaints regarding compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 504 or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, contact Waco ISD Director of Special Education at 254-755-9431 or; P.O. Box 27, Waco, TX, 76703.