Psychologist

School Psychologist

Under general direction, incumbents provide psychological services in the school environment to include evaluation, consultation and program development to benefit students and their families who require special education or are at risk.

Essential Functions:

• Evaluates students for special education eligibility including diagnosing emotional, behavioral, learning and attention problems and determining the appropriate placement or intervention method. Counsels students individually or in groups on issues such as drug abuse, physical abuse, school behavior and motivation. Determines which concerns the school can handle and which need to be referred to outside agencies. Writes comprehensive evaluation reports with the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team, including determining information needed in a formal evaluation and the terminology to be used in the diagnosis. Consults teachers and parents in order to provide intervention techniques/methods in helping students to be more successful in school and in dealing with family problems. Attends staff, professional and agency meetings in order to discuss student needs, referral availability and intervention methods. Stays updated on new educational and psychological theories, processes and techniques. Provides in-service training on behavioral techniques and processes including determining the audience and the most effective presentation method.
• Leads school teams through the process of completing Functional Behavior Assessments using researched-based practices.
• Supports school teams in the development and implementation of formal and informal Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Works with others in developing programs for students needing special education or students at risk including determining staff, materials and dates and observing programs for effectiveness.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Psychology;
• Valid Arizona Department of Education Psychologist Certificate.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC).

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year of school psychology experience;
• Valid Arizona State Psychology Licensure;
• Valid National Certificate for School Psychology.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications for this job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills required, but not limited to, for this position include:

• Understanding learning, behavioral and child development theories;
• Demonstrating presentation techniques;
• Knowing referral sources;
• Understanding criteria for special education eligibility;
• Knowing State and Federal laws governing special education.
• Preparing psychological evaluations and reports;
• Selecting and using testing methods and interpreting the results;
• Facilitating meetings;
• Diagnosing learning and behavioral problems;
• Implementing intervention methods;
• Using computer-related software applications;
• Engaging and encouraging communication skills while interacting with supervisors, staff, students, etc. to exchange information.

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements 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 regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; 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, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Working Conditions:

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this 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.