Staunton City Schools, located in historic Staunton, Virginia in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, is seeking highly qualified applicants for a School Psychologist for the 2017-18 academic school year. 

210 Day (10.5-month) Contract beginning on or around July 25, 2017.

Position opened until filled.

POST OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, employment reference check, and receipt of the Child Abuse and Neglect Training Certificate. 

Full Benefits Package

EOE

                                                             STAUNTON CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                                                  POSITION DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY:

The School Psychologist conducts tests and evaluates the needs and educational programs of referred students; plans and assists in implementation of programs to enable students to attain appropriate achievement and adjustment; consults with teachers and parents regarding such needs and/or issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS:

The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to, the following functions/tasks:

• Provides school personnel with general knowledge regarding psychological services;
• Assists in establishing and effecting procedural requirements for the assessment, eligibility, and placement of students with disabilities;
• Administers individual and group psychodiagnostic evaluations and conducts observations for the assessment of intelligence/scholastic aptitude, adaptive behavior, academic achievement, emotional/personal/social adjustment, educational readiness, sensory and perceptual-motor functioning, and environmental influences;
• Conducts and participates in conferences with parents, teachers and principals and others;
• Provides written reports, including recommendations plus oral interpretations to school personnel, parents, students and others;
• Consults with principals, teachers, parents and other appropriate individuals to help to provide an atmosphere conducive to academic, social and emotional student development;
• Conducts short-term individual and/or group counseling. Refers students and parents to appropriate mental health professionals when long-term treatment is indicated;
• Consults with parents and school staff to develop, implement and evaluate functional behavioral assessments and behavior intervention plans;
• Assists school screening committees and staff in developing needed supports, interventions and evaluations;
• Participates in division-wide committees that will affect the education of children such as the Special Education Advisory Committee, the Gifted/Talented Advisory Committee and the School Health Advisory Committee;
• Provides in-service programs to school personnel and/or parents in order to upgrade skills in areas such as behavior management, parenting skills, teaching exceptional children, interpersonal relations, and disabling conditions;
• Supports school counselors and other school-based staff in working with community health agencies to meet the needs of students and families;
• Supervises and coordinates activities of the school psychology intern and practicum students working in the school system;
• Conducts services and evaluations in a legal, ethical and professional manner;
• Assists with individual schools and/or school division in order to facilitate a coordinated response to school-level and/or division-wide crisis situation (as determined by the division-wide Crisis Plan).

• Maintains and respects confidentiality of student and school personnel information, while maintaining the safety and welfare for all students and staff members;
• Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities;

• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services.

 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Decision-making skills are an important aspect of this position, affecting a large segment of the organization, students, and teachers. Extensive knowledge of acceptable psychological testing procedures and practices is required. Knowledge of special education laws and regulations is required. Candidates must be knowledgeable of school law and the legal provisions related to childcare. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to function effectively as a team member in determining appropriate services for the children through such meetings as SST, Eligibility, IEP, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and must hold an Ed.S. Degree or equivalent from an approved program in school psychology or have otherwise qualified for DOE licensure in the State of Virginia.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Candidate must have completed a school year of full-time supervised internship (12 graduate semester hours or equivalent) in an accredited school with experience at multiple age levels. Must be able to provide own transportation to school-related functions, community agencies, and the homes of students, and schools throughout the division. Frequent operation office equipment is required. Candidate must possess good moral character.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS:

Duties performed typically in school settings to include: offices, conference centers, and classrooms. Frequent walking, standing, stooping, sitting, using hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hand to talk or hear. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. No or very limited exposure to physical risk. Lifting up to approximately 20 pounds and occasional lifting of equipment and/or materials weighing up to 40 pounds is expected. Other limited physical activities may be required. Frequent operation of a vehicle and office equipment is required. Regular and frequent contact made at all organizational levels for the purpose of developing and achieving organizational goals and missions. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work. Candidate must possess the ability to work with special needs students. Regular contact with staff members and parents is required. Frequent contact with parents by phone and in person may be necessary. Occasional contact with medical professionals may be required.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The School Psychologist will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Services or Division Superintendent. Staunton City Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change this job description and related duties at any time.

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities by the Executive Director of Student Services.

Approved by: Executive Director of Student Services and Chief Human Resources Officer

Date:               March 2017