Calumet County School Psychologist

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Work directly and/or indirectly with students, teachers, and parents to resolve problems in adjustment, behavior, and learning.
• Provide psychological counseling and assist students, families, and school personnel in dealing with crises such as death, illness, or community trauma.
• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to find effective solutions to learning and behavior problems for children with and without disabilities.
• Strengthen working relationships between educators, parents, and community services by promoting understanding of child development and its effect on learning and behavior.
• Encourage understanding, acceptance and appreciation of differences within the school community.
• Develop partnerships with parents and teachers to promote healthy school environments.
• Collaborate with school staff and community agencies to provide services directed at improving psychological and physical health.

Assessment

• Conduct psycho-educational evaluations of students in the areas of academic, social-emotional, or behavioral functioning to assist teams in making educational decisions.
• Select, administer, and interpret assessment instruments in a professionally appropriate manner.
• Complete written reports within a reasonable time frame and in compliance with professional standards, including relevant information, assessment results, educational implications, and recommendations.

Research and Program Evaluation

• Evaluate the effectiveness of academic and behavior management programs.
• Use evidence-based research to develop, recommend, and implement effective interventions and strategies to improve student learning and behavior.

Instruction and Professional Practice

• Provide academic and/or behavioral interventions to students to maximize learning and adjustment.
• Develop session objectives, use instructional materials, provide individualized and small-group instruction/counseling, and adapt the curriculum when necessary to meet student needs.
• Systematically measure and monitor student personal growth toward stated objectives of instruction using a variety of assessment tools.
• Differentiate presentations, activities, and assessments for students that will meet individual needs, interests, and abilities of each student.
• Identify student needs and cooperate with other professional staff members in assessing and resolving personal issues, arranging appropriate interventions as needed.
• Maintain current records of students’ progress toward goals.
• Communicate with parents to inform them about the school program and discuss student progress.
• Maintain and improve professional competence through staff development and self-selected professional growth activities.
• Participate in and contribute to the planning, evaluation, and implementation of school and/or District programs via faculty meetings, councils, and District and school committees.
• Make effective use of community resources to enhance the instructional program.
• Uphold and enforce school rules, administrative regulations, and Board policy.
• Serve as a positive role model for students in citizenship, ethical principles, and democratic values.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities, but contributes to the oversight and guidance to teachers, specialists, and para-professional staff, in accordance with the organization’s policies, procedures and applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in School Psychology.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Knowledge of district-adopted curriculum and teaching strategies.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in the application and interpretation of department policies and regulations.
• Good knowledge of current special education topics and methodologies.
• Experience working with students with a wide range of disabilities.
• Ability to initiate and utilize relationships to effect change.
• Ability to interpret, support and uphold the standards, ethics and boundaries of the education profession.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, co-workers, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to lead and manage others effectively.
• Ability to apply laws of confidentiality appropriately.