School Psychologist (ESS) - Dysart Unified School District

SUMMARY: The school psychologist is responsible for improving the educational experiences of children who demonstrate learning difficulties and enable them to benefit from their instructional program; to collaborate and consult with parents, teachers, and District personnel in designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions at individual, school, and district levels.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Screens, observes and/or gathers data on students who have been referred.
• Assesses difficulties of referred students through appropriate testing and diagnostic practices.
• Administers tests and recommends placement for children eligible for special education.
• Maintains confidential files and accurate records on all identified students.
• Serves as a consultant to regular classroom teachers to suggest curriculum modifications strategies and student interventions.
• Assists staff in identifying and evaluating exceptional learners.
• Informs administrators, parents and teachers of services available to them.
• Provides individual/group counseling services to students.
• Consults with staff on special education needs of students eligible under IDEA.
• Establishes/maintains effective relationships with teachers, administrators, students and parents.
• Conducts staff development programs that are useful and meaningful to teachers.
• Maintains compliance with federal/state statutes and district policies/procedures.
• Prepares and submits required reports on disabled children, to summarize findings, interpret data and offer recommendations, in a timely manner.
• Assists teachers and other in interpreting and using assessment data and program planning for identified students.
• Acts as a liaison between the school, DOE correctional facilities, private school and other social service agencies.
• Functions as team facilitator and coordinator for special education services at each assigned school and program.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in the field.
• Demonstrates organizational characteristics in work and manner.
• Establishes and maintain good rapport with students, employees, community members and vendors.
• Maintains a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: 

• Master's degree or above in the area of school psychology.
• Arizona certificate as a school psychologist.
• Obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card (AZ IVP FPCC)

EXPERIENCE:

• Three (3) years of school based experience preferred (bilingual preferred).

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Reading and interpreting general documents such as employee handbooks and safety/training manuals.
• Writing general correspondence and speak effectively with others.
• Adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing in all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
• Principles and practices of program administration.
• Basic principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Best practices, trends and emerging technologies.
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations.
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment.
• Specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment.

SKILL IN:

• Applying reason to research and solving moderately complex issues with little or no assistance.
• Interpreting an assortment of instructions furnished in variable forms.
• Performing basic original research to assist with developing teaching plans and instructional materials.
• Maintaining and updating documentation.
• Organizing and maintaining records, files and program information.
• Gathering data, analyzing findings and applying logic and reason.
• Authoring and preparing original reports, documents and presentations.
• Researching industry trends, solutions and best practices.
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Positions in this class require:  stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Light Work:  Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. 

Working Conditions:  Work is routinely performed in an indoor office environment.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed by this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

The Dysart Unified School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Dysart Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students.