Job Description: School Psychologist

 

Reports To:  Director of Student Services and School Principal

 

Minimum Qualifications:  Valid CT State Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsement for School Psychologist

 

General Description:  The School Psychologist, utilizing a sound knowledge base, assessment techniques and intervention skills, will assist educators and parents in providing schooling appropriate to each student’s abilities and needs.

 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Provide school psychology services which support the school system’s instructional goals
• Demonstrate professionalism, teamwork and non-discriminatory practices Assist educators in maintaining a mentally healthy and positive learning environment in the school and in the classroom 
• Serve as a consultant to educators and parents on mental health issues, special education needs of students with disabilities (as defined by the IDEA) and gifted children 
• Help identify and address the diverse learning needs of all students in assigned school(s) 
• Assist with planning and provide in-service training of school personnel 
• Participate in the school’s Student Assistance, Planning and Placement Team (PPT)/Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings: 
• Guide determinations of appropriate referrals to special education or other dispositions of cases presented to the Student Assistance Team 
• Formally assess (with written parental consent) students determined in need of cognitive/behavioral emotional assessment by the PPT utilizing performance observations, testing and diagnostic procedures determined appropriate by school psychology standards 
• Write a psychological report on each assessed student which includes consideration of school-wide performance, medical, social and psychological background data; is written in classroom teacher user friendly terms; and concludes with professionally sound recommendations for appropriate school programming and/or parental follow through suggestions for the student
• Present psychological findings and recommendations by participating in the PPT postevaluation conference- complete the entire process, including IEP goal development, on time 
• Explain school psychological services, including assessment procedures and psychological recommendations to educators and parents 
• Provide direct individual/group school adjustment counseling to students, as per written plans and with prior parental approval 
• Maintain follow-up as appropriate on all students on the School Psychologist caseload, including coordination with personnel of juvenile court, community mental health and social welfare agencies in the best interest of students
• Maintain accurate, complete, and current records as required by law, school system policy, and administrative regulation Page 2 of 3
• Pursue professional development independently and in collaboration with supervisors:
• Keep abreast of new trends in the field of school and clinical psychology Participate in conducting appropriate research as may be required by his/her supervisor(s) 
• Attend required/relevant staff, professional, and interagency meetings
• Participate cooperatively with the app

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Demonstrates facility in the skills of school psychological screening, assessment and servicing
• Demonstrates practical knowledge of the research in the areas of school and clinical psychology
• Demonstrates knowledge of human growth and development as it relates to the learning process
• Demonstrates knowledge of the public school system, including federal and state mandates
• Plans daily, weekly and monthly schedules to achieve student objectives in priority order
• Effectively implements IEP and less formal counseling goals, and uses appropriate techniques
• Effectively communicates with students of various language ability levels
• Helps students develop positive self-concepts
• Facilitates the independence of the student
• Effectively organizes time, space, materials and equipment to complete evaluative and counseling duties while being visible and remaining available as needed
• Effectively assesses students’ needs and progress
• Effectively meets the needs of exceptional students (those on IEPs, 504 Plans, or who are Gifted)
• Establishes a positive counseling environment
• Meets professional responsibilities
• Encourages and maintains the cooperative involvement and support of parents and community

Physical Abilities and Working Conditions:

The Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment listed in this section are representative of, but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of Physical Abilities and Other Conditions of Employment that may be required of positions in this class. Norwich Public School District encourages persons with disabilities who are interested in employment in this class and need reasonable accommodation of those disabilities to contact the Human Resources Department for further information.

• Performing the job duties of this position requires the following physical demands: reaching, some lifting, standing, walking, carrying, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, sitting, and/or crawling.
• Move small stacks of textbooks, media equipment, desks, and other classroom equipment
• Occasional exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather

 

Terms of Employment:  Salary and work year to be determined by the contract between the Norwich Board of Education and the Norwich Teachers League.

 

Evaluation:  Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of support services.

 Revised:  8/2023