School Psychologist

School Psychologist

Panama-Buena Vista Union School District invites well qualified candidates to apply for the position of School Psychologist. The District is looking for a psychologist who enables students to attain academic success by providing direct psychological services, keeping in mind their individual needs in intellectual, emotional, physical, and social domains. Oversees and provides assessment, counseling, consultation, crisis intervention, program evaluation, case management, and staff development in-service education.

Facilitates individual student development by defining and clarifying school-related problems using psychological theories. Conducts designated instruction and service counseling individually or in small groups to students requiring this service. Conducts interviews, observations, and behavioral assessments with students ranging from preschool to teenage years. Selects and administers assessment tools. Scores, interprets, and integrates results with other data. Prepares assessments of individual students based on psychological and educational test information.

Interprets student placement and assessment results and links placement test scores to advising content that can be used by Teachers and Counselors. Conveys assessments to parents, staff, and others involved in the student's educational interest. Performs differential diagnosis of handicapping conditions, including but not limited to learning and physical disabilities, emotional disturbances, and giftedness. Recommends student placements and individual educational plans based on student education considerations and classroom management needs.

Consults with and facilitates study team reviews to develop student academic objectives. Participates with other academic professionals to enhance student school performance by applying psychological methods such as life space interviewing, client-centered consultation, home school contracts, behavior management, self-instruction, and reinforcement management strategies. Supports therapeutic efforts of outside professionals as required. Evaluates student performance and uses specialized procedures designed to assess educational, cognitive, and behavioral change and progress.

Evaluates the effectiveness of prior interventions. Provides consultation to academic and classified school personnel relating to curricular and ecological adaptations, classroom climate, instructional programs and techniques, and meeting individual student needs. Plans, prepares, and conducts in-service education for academic professionals on various topics applying to students with regular and special educational needs. Plans, prepares, and conducts school-based individual and group counseling experiences for students for the purpose of improving social and emotional functioning and development.

Plans, prepares, and conducts parent education programs including, but not limited to, topics such as child-rearing and discipline. Works with parents and teachers to give and interpret behavior rating assessments for students considered for a clinical diagnosis. Conducts classroom observations of students being considered for special education services for learning disabilities. Conducts special assessments for students being considered for expulsion and participates in pre-expulsion proceedings.

Evaluates educational programs that are designed to meet special student needs. Applies specified methodologies to evaluate programs. Consults with administrators, academic professionals, and others on federal and state laws and regulations relating to regular and special education. Services as a liaison to regional and community resources that provide services to students and parents in medical, psychiatric, therapeutic, and other needs.

Works and interacts with peers, as individuals and/or in team/group settings, in a professional manner that contributes to the District's academic achievement goals. Provides crisis intervention, grief, and other counseling as needed. Conducts research on academic outcomes related to student performance. Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of…