School Psychologist

School Psychologist

Hamden Public Schools, Hamden CT 06517

Employee

Qualifications:

• Connecticut teaching license with endorsement for school psychology.
• A minimum of three years' experience working with students.
• Ability and competence to provide services to needy students.
• A current, research- and experience-based understanding of student cognitive and affective development.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal effectively with associates and the public.
• Ability to organize and maintain diverse data, files and records.
• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
• Such alternatives or additions to the above qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable.

Job Goal:

To enable students to take the fullest possible advantage of the educational opportunities provided through identifying individual strengths and weaknesses in the cognitive and affective areas, and by helping students with personal concerns which interfere with the educational process. To maintain confidentiality of school and staff records and related information. To interact with the public, as necessary.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Attends regularly and is punctual.
• Interacts effectively with students.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the public school system as a whole, including special education laws, regulations and Planning and Placement Team (PPT) procedures.
• Has or seeks a knowledge of local curriculum and of instructional issues.
• Has an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of students, parents and staff.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrates an understanding of human growth and development as it relates to learning, emphasizing the psycho-social development of children in working with staff, students and/or families.
• Provides services and practices in full accordance with established principles of professional ethics and legal requirements.
• Recognizes and values the cultural, racial and religious diversity among students and works to ensure that all students fulfill their potential.

Pupil Personnel Services:

• Coordinates case conferences and Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings and participates with other related service staff, administrators, and teachers in collaborative decision-making regarding diagnoses, services and modifications.
• Contributes to the understanding of human growth and development as it relates to the teaching-learning process.
• Assesses individual student needs and progress by evaluation of behavior on the basis of test results; clinical observations; interviews with students, teachers and other school personnel and parents; school records and reports of other professionals.
• Analyzes and integrates assessment data to facilitate an understanding of the "whole" child.
• Assists in making recommendations and designing individualized education programs (IEP) with modifications to enhance the cognitive, social and emotional development of students.
• Interprets and presents findings to parents and teachers in order to help them better understand and teach the children.
• Makes use of a variety of resources, materials and methods for effective intervention.
• Maintains a positive learning environment appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students.
• Evaluates/monitors student progress on a regular basis.
• Provides individual and group counseling and develops classroom programs for students identified as needing help to profit from their educational programs.

School Operations:

• Selects and uses a variety of assessment techniques, appropriate to the referral.
• Demonstrates facility in test administration, scoring, and preparation of written reports in accordance with departmental procedures and standards.
• Organizes time, space and materials for effective delivery of psychological services.
• Develops and adheres to daily/weekly schedule of students in caseload.
• Develops and maintains systems for recording weekly progress notes of students receiving service.
• Assesses school climate, identifies areas of dysfunction, advocates for unmet student needs, and provides feedback to staff and administration to enhance school functioning.
• Consults with and assists with teachers in the development of effective management strategies for students manifesting significant educational problems.
• Consults with other related service staff to implement coordinated and comprehensive intervention/prevention programs.
• Consults with administrators to assist in resolving school issues and crises that have implications for the psychological well-being of students and staff.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings, works collaboratively with professional colleagues, and provides consultation to other staff on the special needs of children.
• Assists the department in the…