Associate Director of School Psychology & Behavior Services - KIPP SoCal Public Schools

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a network of 23 high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools. We educate more than 9,800 students in grades pre-K through eighth in the greater Los Angeles area and San Diego. Additionally, we support approximately 5,100 alumni on their journey to and through high school and college.  

What We Believe

KIPP SoCal believes that the purpose of education is for liberation. This means that we see, develop, and inspire the limitless potential in each and all of our KIPPsters.

What We Do

At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

KIPP SoCal’s Mental Health & Support Services Department is housed under the Student Services Department and works closely and in tandem with the Special Education Department. The Department consists of over 40 School Counselors (MSWs + LCSWs), 14 School Psychologists, 5 Behavior Interventionists, as well as Mental Health Managers. Our department is grounded in trauma-informed and anti-racist practices. By providing interventions and resources, we support KIPP SoCal’s mission of providing a holistic approach to learning focusing not only on rigorous academics but also character development, enrichment, social-emotional learning, physical and mental health, and affirmation of identity.

Please submit a formal application by following this link

The Opportunity

The Associate Director (AD) of School Psychology and Behavior Services oversees the following:

Leadership, Advocacy, Expertise

• Acts as mental health expert and “face” of the Student Services team providing consultation and guidance with regards to special education services, assessment, and IEP implementation as well as best practices in behavioral intervention and prevention
• Stays up-to-date with district, state, federal laws and policies as they relate to special education, behavior, discipline, and school psychology
• Makes evidence-based and culturally responsive recommendations for the inclusion of mental behavioral health interventions within schools
• Develops and delivers high quality trainings and presentations, both in person and virtually, to various audiences, including school leaders, school counselors, interns, teachers, families, and more
• Collaborates across KIPP SoCal departments to meet goals and deliverables (e.g. Special Education, Academics, Data, etc.)

Management & Hiring

• Acts as Hiring Manager for School Psychologists, Behavior Specialists, and Behavior Technicians, updating job descriptions (when needed), designing interviews and tasks, etc.
• Directly manages School Psychology Manager, limited amount of School Psychologists and entire Behavior Team
• Supervises the implementation of behavioral supports and psychological assessments 
• Collaboratively sets performance goals, metrics, and deliverables to drive the KIPP SoCal mission and Student Services vision
• Participates and co-leads Peer Review meetings with school psychologists
• Evaluate the performance of all assigned direct reports through observations and coaching
• Creates & seeks development opportunities for School Psychologists, Behavior Team
• Maintains and reviews documentation
• May be asked to complete psychoeducational assessments or functional behavior assessments, when needed

Student Safety & Crises

• Like all KIPP SoCal staff, the AD is a mandated reporter
• Collaborate with school administration and counselors to provide training to prevent suicide and bring awareness to grades K-8, per AB2246
• Consult with School Leadership Teams  on Threat Assessments
• Supports with mental health emergencies and is “on-call” when school psychologists/and or Behavioral Specialsts are absent or unavailable
• Experience working with child protective services, providing consultation to school counselors and teams with regards to mandated reporting
• Supports School Counselor and Admin teams with re-entry meetings for unsafe behaviors or hospitalizations, as needed
• Consults on the creation of individualized crisis plans for students with challenging/unsafe behaviors, as needed
• May be asked to be trained as a NCI trainer (de-escalation/ intervention)
• Maintains documentation of suicide risk assessments and crisis related paperwork

Special Education

• Is a member of the Special Education Leadership Team
• Review and ensure IEP timeline compliance
• Supports School Psychology Manager in the assignment of cases
• Serve as member of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and attend meetings, as needed
• Support with reviewing and leading Peer Review process
• Provides consultation and support for high-profile IEPs, attending where appropriate
• Provides consultation with the writing of Behavior Intervention Plans for IEPs
• Assists IEP team in making recommendations based on all relevant data

Behavioral Supports & Interventions

• Sets the vision for the Behavior Intervention Team including, but not limited to: Providing training in best practices for behavior intervention; Assigning cases and managing schedules; Reviewing and providing feedback for behavior summaries and behavior plans
• Part of internal Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainer team, collaboratively leading training for school-based staff for certification
• Supports schools with understanding and implementing MTSS and Tier 1 interventions
• Schedule and attend Behavior Consultation Hour

Trauma-Informed & Preventative Practices

• Works closely and collaboratively with Mental Health Leadership team members to ensure alignment across department roles
• Supports the implementation of HEART (Healing Environments And Responses to Trauma) initiative at KIPP SoCal Public Schools, particularly Tier 1 interventions: Implementation of Calm Classroom (mindfulness) across schools; Establishment of Calm Corners across schools; Integration of Social and Emotional Learning within classrooms (e.g. Ripple Effects, Quaver SEL); Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports
• Recommends and teaches techniques for supporting students’ social and emotional & behavioral needs
• Subject matter expert for trauma-informed/culturally responsive behavioral interventions & SSPTs
• Supports School Psychologists in providing consultation and recommendations for designated schools’ SSPT process
• Co-leads support meetings and training for SSPT Leads at schools

School Psychology Interns & Practicum Students

• Oversees the KIPP SoCal School Psychology Internship program including, but not limited to:
• Maintaining relationships with established School Psychology programs (e.g. SDSU, LMU, National University, etc.)
• Fills out relevant paperwork for requesting interns (e.g. updating “agency” profile, signing agreements)
• Scheduling interviews with candidates
• Providing opportunities for School Psychologists to receive training from universities and team leaders in Field Instruction and development of interns/practicum students
• Troubleshoots challenges with interns including communicating with field liaisons, developing performance improvement plans, or advocating for an intern to be reassigned.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree, required
• Master’s of School Psychology degree or related field, required 
• Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), required
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) License, required
• Minimum 8 years post-Master’s degree
• Minimum 3 years of management experience of school psychologists, school social workers, behavior specialists or other school-based mental health professionals
• Bilingual in Spanish, preferred

Ideal Characteristics

• Knowledge & commitment to anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Cultural awareness and agility, and ability to foster trust, communication, and culture change
• Demonstrated success working with students/families from educationally under-resourced areas
• Builds relationships and trust with ease
• Superb organizational, planning, and implementation skills
• Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple stakeholders
• Excellent written, communication, and public skills
• High proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Initiative, innovation, advocacy, leadership, resilience, and tenacity
• Experience managing and developing school mental health professionals
• Experience leading/advising complex and/or cross-functional projects and teams
• Able to stay positive through challenges
• Comfort driving between schools across Los Angeles (including San Diego and SoCal)
• Detail-oriented team player willing to roll up sleeves and get the job done
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP SoCal Public Schools mission and community
• Willingness to go above and beyond to drive the success of a dynamic team committed to a new future for urban education

Joining KIPP SoCal Means the Following

• Working at an organization committed to the hard work necessary to ensure education is for liberation 
• Spending time with students and families in the best communities of LA, Compton and San Diego
• Support and care from fellow regional team members
• Ongoing professional development and coaching from manager 

Benefits and Compensation

• KIPP SoCal Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $85,600 to $128,400 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint of $107,000 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budget allocated for this role.
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
• Employer-paid KIPP SoCal life insurance
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
• Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Generous time off program includes 22 holidays, sick leave, and vacation
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)

Please submit a formal application by following this link

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, http://www.kippsocal.org/.Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.