School Psychologist

School Psychologist

As evaluation team leaders, school psychologists are responsible for ensuring child find obligations are met within the department of special services. School psychologists are also relied upon for their skills in consultation and data-based decision making, and for their expertise in mental health and behavior.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Participate in effective data-based decision-making with multidisciplinary teams using a foundation of assessment and data collection to comprehensively and compliantly identify students with disabilities. This includes translating assessment information into meaningful goals for students, conducting functional behavior assessments, and assisting with creating and monitoring behavior improvement plans for students with disabilities.
• Apply knowledge of both psychology and education through consultation and collaboration with school personnel and families at assigned buildings to promote problem-solving at the individual student level and, when requested by building administration, at the building or systems level.
• Support building-wide delivery of direct and indirect interventions that focus on academic skills, learning, socialization, and mental health.
• Deliver interventions to students with disabilities including counseling and social skills instruction as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with others to promote effective and safe learning environments, prevent and remediate academic and behavior problems, and improve family-school collaboration.
• Participate in professional growth activities and demonstrate a sense of professional responsibility.
• Incorporate the vision and goals of the special services department into practice.
• Follow all policies and procedures of the school district.
• Perform other duties as necessary to support the mission and vision of Columbia Public Schools.

District Expectations:

All employees of the District are expected to adhere to the policies and regulations of the Board of Education, maintain appropriate certification and competencies necessary for the position, and demonstrate the values of the district at all times. For information on policies, regulations and values, visit

Reporting Relationships:

Reports To: Coordinator of Psychological Services

Supervises: None

Qualifications:

Minimum: Degree in school psychology; Missouri certificate for K-12 school psychologist. Psychological examiners considered.

Preferred: NCSP; five years of experience as a school psychologist in the public school system.

The ideal candidate will have a professional and friendly demeanor with a demonstrated ability to work well with a variety of individuals in a fast-paced environment. Successful candidates who hold the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential are eligible for an annual $3,000 stipend.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

ADA Requirements:

Language: Read, analyze, and interpret testing information as well as special education and psychological data; create documentation related to educational and psychological assessment; communicate data and analysis to interdisciplinary teams, teachers, building administrators, parents, and students; communicate with and assist students in need of psychological, special education, and/or testing services.

Computation: Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and analyze data for instruction; apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning: Draw reasoned conclusions and make professional recommendations supported by data and research; demonstrate executive functions such as planning, organizing, remembering, and regulating information and behavior.

Other Skills/Abilities: Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, peers, and parents; perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

Technology: Perform basic computer functions such as word processing and internet use; use district software to find student information and generate tests and reports.

Physical Demands: Requires sedentary work involving standing or walking for brief periods, exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular basis, and considerable dexterity in operating office equipment; school psychologists assigned to staff more than one school building will need to travel to and from their assigned schools as needed.

Attendance: Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.

Sensory Requirements: The position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, and speaking.

Conditions/Environment: Work is performed in a typical school environment, which can at times be noisy and chaotic.

Prospective and current employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact human resources to discuss reasonable accommodations to perform the essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer