School Psychologist

Pendergast School District

Job Description

Job Title: School Psychologist

Exempt: Yes

Department: Student Support

Location: School(s)

Term of Employment: In accordance with current school schedule

Reports To: Executive Director of ESS

Summary: Provide psychological assistance to students in the District exhibiting a need for such assistance. The School Psychologist will attest to the qualifications of any student placed in program for the handicapped or gifted program in accordance with the conditions and standards for the State of Arizona, P.L. 94-142, Education of the Handicapped Act, and Section 504 of the Civil Rights Code. The School Psychologist will provide consultation and counseling to students, parents, and staff with the aim of facilitating the student learning environment.

Supervises: Instructional Assistant (if applicable)

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Psychology, Education or School Psychology
• Arizona School Psychologist Certificate

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three years of related experience in a school setting

Such alternatives to the above required & preferred qualifications as the Superintendent/Designee may find appropriate and acceptable.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Helps teachers and administrators screen, identify and refer children with learning disorders.
2. Administers tests and recommends placement of students for all special needs placement.
3. Assists in writing specific individual educational placement prescriptions for all children assigned to special education programs.
4. Conducts staffings as legally required prior to placement of children in special education programs.
5. Consults with Director of Pupil Services and appropriate administrators regarding the organization, development, and improvement of preventive, remedial, and special education programs for the District.
6. Serves as liaison or consultant to other professional personnel such as special education staff, nurses, classroom teachers, physicians, and private agencies.
7. Conducts follow-up evaluations as needed or required.
8. Participates in and conducts District and local school workshops and in-service training.
9. Maintains knowledge of new developments in the field and applies research in the classroom, school, and District.
10. Assists in maintaining appropriate records on all students referred and placed in special education programs.
11. Consults with appropriate personnel on special educational needs of children identified for placement in gifted program.
12. Prepares and submits required reports to Director of Pupil Services.
13. Attends staff, professional, and interagency meetings as requested by the Director of Pupil Services.
14. Perform such other duties and assumes such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Superintendent/Designee.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provision of the Board policy or evaluation of professional personnel.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret education materials and programs. Ability to write reports, procedure manuals, and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of teachers, students, administration, and the community.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to work with mathematical such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to handle, or feel objects, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.