Office of Human Resources
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Licensed Specialist in Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
School Psychology
Reports to: Executive Director for Special Education Pay Grade: 5
and Section 504
Dept./School: Special Education Department Length of Work Year: 197 Days
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Provide services to students, parents and school personnel in consultation, assessment, interventions, prevention and educational strategies for students. The primary role of students will be to provide mental health services to students with emotional and/or behavior problems/concerns as a preventative way to help them develop the skills necessary to function successfully within the least restrictive setting.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification:
Eligible for Licensure as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council and Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.
Master’s Degree in school psychology from an accredited college or university, or graduation from a training program approved by the National Association of School Psychology or accredited by the American Psychology Association or have completed course work in school psychology from an accredited college or university and be a candidate for a Master’s degree upon the successful completion of the internship.
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior management interventions
Knowledge of psycho-social development
When working on cases for special education, be knowledgeable of procedures for assessing achievement and intelligence, emotional and behavioral functioning for educational purposes
Ability to prepare appropriate individual education plans (IEPs)
Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
Experience:
Teaching experience preferred, but not required.
When working on special education cases, have caseload and assessment experience preferred, but not required.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Consultation
Provides sound and effective prevention strategies to teachers, parents and administrators about students’ concerns regarding their emotional and/or behavioral wellbeing.
Assists others to understand child development and physical factors and how they affect learning and behavior.
Strengthens working relationships among educators, parents and community services.
When working on Special Education cases, be knowledgeable in the ARD process when representing
assessment, and when consulting with other members of the ARD committee as necessary.
Intervention
Works face-to-face with students, parents and school staff concerning resolution of school issues, crises and problems with the students’ total education performance.
Assists in solving conflicts and problems in the student’s learning and adjustment in the school environment.
Provides opportunities for psychological counseling with students.
Facilitates design of social skills training, behavior intervention plans and other strategies.
Assists parents in arriving at effective solutions to their children’s learning situations.
Assists teachers, administrators, and parents in designing an educational program for the student that addresses the student’s emotional/behavioral and academic needs.
Prevention
Identifies potential emotional/behavioral difficulties.
Designs programs for children at risk of failure.
Provides parents and teachers with the opportunity to acquire skills in order to cope and manage student’s maladaptive behaviors.
Follow the RtI/MTSS policy of the district on a case-by-case basis (case management)
Education
Makes available presentations on relevant topics.
Works with teachers, administrators and parents on developing content and instructional modifications.
Special Education Assessment
Works as a part of the student’s multidisciplinary team that assesses, develops and implements an individual education plan and related services.
Uses a wide variety of techniques with students for evaluation.
Compiles test data and writes psychological reports, counseling evaluations, FBA’s, and applicable eligibility reports.
Provides useful interpretation of assessment that will inform the parents, the teachers, and administrators.
Participates in team assessment, such as FBA’s, autism, etc.
Personal and Professional Management
Participates in professional development activities as required by program and grant requirements.
Keeps current in the laws, literature, research and educational development.
Attends appropriate staff developments.
Demonstrates loyalty within a team approach to District’s philosophy and initiatives.
Performs all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or others.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Maintain emotional control under stress. Regular district wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned; maintain emotional control under stress; meet deadlines; frequent prolonged and irregular hours, regular light lifting (under 15 pounds), occasional heavy lifting and positioning of students with physical disabilities.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required. I acknowledge I received a copy of this job description.
Employee’s Signature: Date
Supervisor’s Signature: Date
