School Psychologist (SPED) - FY26-27

About the role

The school psychologist promotes the student’s sense of self, treats or assists in treating any psychological or mental health problems, and evaluates students’ needs, abilities, and skills.

Position Purpose

School Psychologists employed by Topeka Public Schools are mental health professionals licensed by the Kansas Department of Education. School Psychology services involve direct and indirect work with all students, with a focus on those students who have exceptionalities and/or are at-risk.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Family Contacts
• Interviews student’s family members to discuss their student’s developmental and educational adjustment
• Identifies resources to support the student and family
• Works with parents to facilitate support of their student’s school adjustment
• Serves as a liaison between home and school
• Affords assistance to parents and other adult caregivers with the development and implementation of behavior change programs
• Collaboration
• Facilitates decision-making and collaboration, and fosters a commitment to quality, effective services for all children and families
• Possesses positive interpersonal skills
• Presents and disseminates information to diverse audiences
• Facilitates team meetings
• Uses effective conflict-resolution strategies
• Collaborates with school personnel, parents, and the community in the aftermath of crises
• Routinely accesses community and district resources to address behavioral, learning, mental, and physical difficulties
• Collection and Analysis of Information/Data
• Systematically collects information to identify strengths and needs of students and uses the information to make decisions regarding educational programming
• Collects data on individual students, families, educational and health programs, classroom environments, and so forth
• Uses data to design, implement, and evaluate effective direct and indirect intervention services
• Supports Student Improvement Team with interventions, progress monitoring, and data analysis
• Evaluation, Assessment and Research
• Evaluates the components of environments that facilitate or impede learning or behavioral changes and identifies how environmental factors and students’ characteristics interact to affect academics and social/behavioral outcomes
• Administers, scores, and interprets individual tests of cognition, achievement, and social or emotional development
• Helps staff develop appropriate cognitive and academic goals for children
• Incorporates knowledge of diversity when assessing, designing, and implementing academic and social/behavioral needs in order to determine appropriate interventions
• Knowledgeable of various psychological and educational assessment methods
• Knowledgeable of methods that link assessment results with intervention
• Identifies and recognizes behaviors that are precursors to academic, behavioral, and serious personal difficulties
• Knowledgeable of current research and effective data-driven decision-making and problem-solving processes
• Developing and Assisting with Student and Classroom Interventions
• Incorporates appropriate strategies when developing intervention programs that facilitate successful transitions of children from one environment to another environment
• Provides consultation, behavior assessments, behavior interventions, and counseling services
• Develops methodologies, such as conflict resolution and social problem-solving/decision-making approaches, that assist teachers and families in teaching pro-social behavior
• Affords assistance to children in developing behaviors that support effective learning
• Crisis Intervention
• Affords assistance to schools with crisis intervention
• Provides psychological first aid to students and staff
• Policies, Practices and Procedures
• Affords assistance to staff in designing, implementing, and evaluating policies and practices in areas such as discipline, problem-solving, instructional support, staff training, program evaluation, transition plans, grading, retention, and home-school partnerships
• Affords assistance in the development of policies and procedures to promote safe and violence free schools
• Maintains up-to-date records
• Follows due process guidelines in all decisions affecting students
• Maintains confidential records of evaluations and assessments
• Follows due process guidelines in all decisions affecting students
• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as the superintendent or designee may assign
• Language Skills
• Reads, analyzes, and interprets general educational reports, professional journals, technical procedures, and regulations
• Communicates clearly and concisely both in oral and written form

Positions

9 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board policy on evaluation of certified employees.

Locations

To Be Determined

About Topeka Public Schools

Our Vision: Topeka Public Schools is recognized nationally for:

• Academic excellence
• Post-secondary and career success
• Achievement in arts, athletics and extracurricular activities

Strengthened by diversity and a welcoming and inclusive environment, our district will cultivate partnerships with staff, families, businesses, and the greater community to develop students' educational, physical, and social-emotional well being.

Our Mission: Engage students in the highest quality learning. Prepare students for responsible and productive citizenship. Inspire excellence for a lifetime.