School Psychologist (26-27)

About the role

Provides a wide range of psychological services within Baltimore City Public Schools. Consults with school staff, conducts formal school psychological evaluations of students for educational planning and placement as part of the IEP process, behavior management planning, and consultation with, or referral to, available resources in City Schools and the community.

Responsibilities

• Directly provides assistance to teachers, administrators, and other staff members regarding academic engagement and achievement for all students by identifying learning barriers, suggesting appropriate academic interventions, monitoring effectiveness of interventions, developing student organizational skills, and promoting learning strategies within the classroom setting; promoting inclusive practices for improved academic success.
• Provides training and workshops to school staff regarding areas specific to expertise such as child development, the exceptional child, understanding psychological testing, curriculum and instruction theory and implementation, behavioral management, positive behavior interventions, and other relevant topics.
• Facilitates effective instructions by assisting in identification of instructional needs for the individual student and diverse learners and assisting in individualizing instruction within the classroom setting by working directly with teachers and students.
• Aids teachers with classroom management by helping them develop classroom behavioral plans and work with IEP and SST teams to develop individual behavioral plans for specific students and conduct FBAs and develop BIPs with teachers and specialists to increase student participation and achievement within the inclusion setting, or program.
• Makes measurements and monitors student progress. Supports positive behaviors and socially successful students by working with administrators, teachers and parents to promote students' positive interactions based on research-based, positive behavioral supports, and research-based prevention and intervention programs to support academic achievement.
• Contributes to a healthy learning environment by working directly with administrators and staff regarding research-based prevention and intervention strategies within classroom management, promoting positive peer relationships, social problem solving, student wellness, reduced risk-taking, and increased student achievement.
• Works within the classroom setting to model and provide support to teaching staff to assist in implementation of programs.
• Serves diverse learners by assessing learning and behavior needs (and considering issues related to family, culture, or language and learning style of disability) by working within the classroom setting to assist students directly in organizational skills, learning strategies, and study skills and provide direct feedback and information to teachers and other staff, as appropriate.
• Participates on IEP teams, and other school-based teams, helping teams plan an appropriate IEP for students with disabilities including modifying and adapting curricula and instruction, adjusting classroom facilities and routine to promote student engagement, monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student progress, and coordinate links to community services.
• Writes goals and objectives following City School requirements for IEPs and support teachers and students within the classroom through supplementary aids and services, as appropriate.
• Supports high stakes assessment and outcomes by assisting schools with generating and interpreting student outcome data assist in recommending programs and interventions at the building, classroom and student level, monitor individual student progress in academics and behavior, and collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes.

Requirements

• Eligible for Maryland State certification as a School Psychologist to include: A Master's degree (or higher) in school psychology (out of state programs must include a minimum of a 1,200-hour internship in school psychology)
• A passing score on the MD approved test for school psychologists and a valid professional license in school psychology from MD OR a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist certificate issued by the National School Psychology Certification Board OR a valid professional license in school psychology from another state and verification of 27 months of satisfactory performance as a school psychologist during the past 7 years.
• Thorough knowledge of preschool, child and adolescent development, special populations, special education, social and cultural bases of behavior, instructional design, and the organization and operation of schools.
• Knowledge of, and experience administering, individual assessments of children in the cognitive areas, adaptive cognitive functioning, social, emotional and behavioral functioning, educational achievement, functional behavior and the creation of behavior intervention plans, response to intervention (RTI) and curriculum-based assessment/measurement.
• Excellent skills in communicating through writing including formal psychological reports, student progress reports, and case notes.
• Excellent skills in prevention, intervention, and problem solving in consultation and within the inclusive environment.
• Knowledge of counseling skills, techniques, and programs - individual, group and classroom-based.
• Knowledge of classroom organization and management of behavior and able to work within the inclusive setting and specialized programs.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws, rules and regulations as they apply to schools and special education.
• Knowledge of ethics as applied to the practice of school psychology.
• Knowledge of measurement, statistics, research, and evaluation methods needed for integrated understanding of test results used in writing reports and explaining results of assessment and data to teachers and parents.
• Ability to work well with students, parents, and staff.
• Ability to use technical computer applications, e.g., the Internet and Microsoft Office, Excel and Power Point applications.

Qualifications

• Completed online application
• Resume that clearly demonstrates the above minimum qualifications.
• Upload copies of all transcripts -undergraduate, graduate and all MSDE Certifications
• All documentation/certification necessary (scanned copies accepted) to substantiate minimum qualifications; must be uploaded into application
• All documentation must be scanned and uploaded to application