School Psychologist

Definition

Definition: Under general supervision of the ESS Director, the School Psychologist is responsible for providing psychological services to schools, including testing, counseling and consulting to assist in meeting the social, emotional and educational needs of students in regular and special education programs; administer and interpret psychological assessments of students; prepare recommendations regarding the evaluation and placements of students; consult with appropriate personnel to determine student eligibility; counsel students; coordinate behavior management programs; and perform related duties, as assigned.

Primary Job Functions: Primary functions may include the following tasks, knowledge's, abilities, skills, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of tasks performed by all positions within this classification

Examples of Tasks

Job Duties

• Provides psycho-educational assessments of students, interpret psycho-educational assessment results and determine qualification for special education services
• Participates in the assessment, diagnosis, and planning for special needs students
• Develops student goals/objectives and consult with teachers, administrators, and related service providers on an ongoing basis to monitor the educational program
• Participates on a multidisciplinary team in the development of IEP and facilitate IEP meetings, as required;
• Provides written reports analyzing, interpreting and summarizing test results, observations and information from school personnel, students and parents
• Counsels individuals and groups of students as required by IEP or for assessment purposes
• Collaborates with other program support service staff and other public and private agencies
• Interact with staff from student's school district of residence around IEP issues, changes of placement, and other appropriate issues
• Evaluates and assesses students when required during a disciplinary dispute (suspension and/or expulsion)
• Participates in due process procedures as required
• Consults with community mental health staff regarding pre-referral intervention strategies, referrals for mental health services, ongoing programming, and termination of services; assists staff in the modifications and monitoring of programming required following transition of mental health services
• Participates in ongoing professional development and maintain professional competencies in areas of responsibility
• Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic career and personal/social skills, goals and plans
• Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational, career and life planning.
• Provide student behavioral management consultation and planning, including classroom observations, monitoring and follow-up
• Assist with writing Behavior Intervention Plans for students with special needs; participate in writing IEP behavior goals.
• Conduct training sessions for staff, parents, and other community-members in areas of disabilities awareness.
• Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data. Assists teachers, parents / guardians, and other stakeholders in interpreting and understanding student data.
• Participates in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills.
• Uses available technology resources to enhance the appearance and content of assessments.
• Adheres to law, policies, procedures and ethical standards of the school psychology profession.
• Provides appropriate information to school personnel related to IDEA requirements.
• Completes reports and keeps up to date documented files on each child.
• Maintains data and information regarding students in a confidential matter in accordance with Privacy Act, Confidentiality Act, the Counseling Profession ethical requirements, and other applicable standards and ethical requirements.
• Conducts duties and responsibilities in accordance with SRPMIC School Board Policies and Procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills, and Other Characteristics
A willingness to learn and understand:

• History, culture, traditions, and customs of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Knowledge of:

• Adolescent mental health assessment and solution-focused brief therapy
• Chemical dependency issues and the impact on education
• Child Protective Services (CPS) procedures
• Classroom guidance curriculum
• Federal and state laws, codes, regulations and requirements pertaining to areas of assigned responsibility for special education
• Childhood growth, human development, education learning theory, and special education instructional programming
• Principles, practices, methods and strategies applicable to special education curriculum development and strategies
• Psychological and educational techniques, tests, materials, methods, theories and trends in assessment
• Use of alternative modes of assessment, curriculum-based assessment, and tests of adaptive behavior

Skilled in:

• Behavior management, intervention and support in a school setting
• Counseling student and adults through divorce, grief and loss
• Differential diagnosis, particularly in the relationship between behavior and the student's academic functioning

• Ability to:
  Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Assess cultural, socioeconomic, and ethnic factors affecting learning ability
• Be flexible and receptive to change
• Communicate verbally and in writing with administrators, colleagues, administrators and parents
• Counsel and maintain emotional control under stress
• Develop behavioral intervention strategies for use in the classroom, playground, school bus and at
• home
• Establish effective working relationships with staff, district personnel, other agencies and the public
• Intervene effectively in crisis
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Meet face-to-face with students, parents, and staff to develop rapport, provide information, counsel and refer
• Meet schedules and time lines
• Participate in a team in a professional and productive manner
• Prepare and maintain various records, reports and files
• Provide student guidance for diversity of socio-economic, multicultural backgrounds and special
• education needs
• Select and apply appropriate assessment instruments and methods of assessment
• Work and make decisions independently
• Work and problem solve with other support personnel, teachers, parents, and other consultants
• Work with youth who are reluctant learners

Minimum Qualifications

Education and experience: Master's Degree from accredited college or university in Education or School Psychology with appropriate Arizona Certification as a School Psychologist Credential.

• Successful experience conducting educational psycho-evaluations in a school setting.
• Demonstrated competency in program development and guidance program administration, career and academic assessment, psychological assessment and other applicable skills and abilities.
• Experience working with Native American Population Preferred.

Driving Requirement: This job description does not require the incumbent to drive; however, any employee who chooses or is asked to drive an SRPMIC vehicle for work related community business must receive written annual authorization to do so. For clarification, work related community business includes driving to and from SRPMIC government sites and buildings.

Equivalency: Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience that would allow the candidate to satisfactorily perform the duties of this position, will be considered.

Underfill Eligibility: An enrolled Community Member whom closely qualifies for the minimum qualifications for a position may be considered for employment under SRPMIC Policy 2-19, Underfill.

Special Requirements

Terms of Employment: This position is a full-time exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week.

Must be able to pass a Pre-Employment Drug Test and extensive Fingerprint and Background Check. Employee is Subject to Random Drug Testing and completion of a Background Check every five (5) years.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills that may be required.

Prior to hire as an employee, applicants will be subject to drug and alcohol testing. Will be required to pass a pre-employment background/fingerprint check.

"SRPMIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer" Preference will be given to a qualified: Community Member Veteran, Community Member, Spouse of Community Member, qualified Native American, and then other qualified candidate.

In order to obtain preference, the following is required: 1) Qualified Community Member Veteran (DD-214) will be required at the time of application submission 2) Qualified Community Member (must provide Tribal I.D at time of application submission),3) Spouse of a Community Member (Marriage License/certificate and spouse Tribal ID or CIB is required at time of application submission), and 4) Native American (Tribal ID or CIB required at time of application submission).

Documents may be submitted by one of the following methods:
1) attach to application
2) fax (480) 362-5860
3) mail or hand deliver to Human Resources.
Documentation must be received by position closing date.

The IHS/BIA Form-4432 is not accepted.
Your Tribal ID/CIB must be submitted to HR-Recruitment-Two Waters.

Benefits:

The SRPMIC offers a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life, disability insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan. In addition employees enjoy vacation and sick leave and 13 paid holidays.