Reno County School Psychologist

Usd 479; Hutchinson (KS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

USD 479 is seeking a School Psychologist on a ten-month contract with benefits. The role focuses on assisting students academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally through data-driven assessments and collaborative interventions.

The school psychologist will work with the RCEC district to support families, staff, and students, ensuring ethical standards, confidentiality, and effective behavioral and educational planning are upheld.

Qualifications

• Current Kansas certificate for school psychology is required.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, write routine reports, and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Uses data-based decision making to promote student learning.
• Collaborates with school personnel to develop and evaluate interventions.
• Oversees and participates in design and implementation of curriculum and supports.
• Advocates for all students and assists with IEP development and progress monitoring.
• Maintains confidential records and adheres to district policies and ethical standards.
• Promotes diversity and supportive learning environments.

Skills

Reading and interpreting documents

Writing routine reports

Public speaking / group communication

Education

Kansas School Psychology Certificate

Valid Driver's License

Job description

1. Position Title: School Psychologist

2. Status: Ten Month Contract – Benefit Eligible

3. Reports To: Reports to the RCEC Director and Assistant Director

4. FLSA Classification: Exempt

5. Wage Determination: Determined by qualification and experience

6. Summary: The school psychologist assists children and youth to succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally; conduct effectively decision making using a foundation of assessments and data collection providing services to schools and families that enhance the competence and well-being of children.

7. Essential Functions

   1. Decision Making and Accountability

      1. Uses data-based decision making and accountability to promote student learning.
      2. Uses systematic and valid data-collection procedures for evaluating the effectiveness and/or need for modification of school-based interventions and programs.
      3. Applies the problem-solving process that results in the identification of factors that influence learning and behavior.
      4. Conducts formal and informal assessments to determine a child’s abilities, learning styles, achievement levels, emotional development, and social skills in an effort to identify appropriate educational services for individual students.
      5. Assists general education staff in identifying and implementing research-based interventions through the SIT process.

   2. Consultation and Collaboration Skills

      1. Utilizes effective consultation and collaboration skills to promote student learning.
      2. Collaborates with school personnel to develop, implement and evaluate effective interventions for increasing learning during the SIT process.
      3. Works collaboratively with other school personnel to create and maintain a multi-tiered continuum of services to support all students’ attainment of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral goals.

   3. Intervention

      1. Utilizes interventions and instructional support strategies to develop academic skills in students.
      2. Facilitates design and delivery of curriculum and instructional strategies that promote children’s academic achievement, including, but not limited to literacy instructions, teacher-directed instruction, peer tutoring, interventions for self-regulations, and planning.
      3. Incorporates all available information in development instructional strategies to meet the individual need of the students.

   4. Curriculum and Instructions

      1. Oversees school-wide practices to promote student learning.
      2. Applies psychologist and educational principles necessary to enhance collaboration and achieve effectiveness in provision of services.
      3. Advocates for all students within assigned buildings whether regular education or special education.
      4. Assists with Functional Behavioral Assessments for students who do or do not qualify for special education services.
      5. Assist teachers and parents in developing appropriate IEPs for students.
      6. Promotes preventive and responsive services to enhance student learning.
      7. Participates in designing and implementing universal screening programs to identify students in need of additional instructional or behavioral support services, as well as progress monitoring systems to ensure successful learning and school adjustment.
      8. Participates in the screening, general education interventions, identification, placements, follow ups, and review of students for special education programs.
      9. Develops, implements, and evaluates prevention and intervention programs based on risk factors that are precursors to severe learning and behavioral problems.
      10. Utilizes interventions and mental health services to enhance students’ learning of social skills and life skills.
      11. Participates in the referral of students to other agencies as appropriate.
      12. Promotes diversity to enhance student development and learning.
      13. Promotes the development and maintenance of learning environments that support resilience and academic growth, promote high rates of academic engaged time, and reduce negative influences on learning and behavior.
      14. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Special Education which are consistent with the general requirements and qualification of the position.

   5. Students, Families, Communities and Schools

      1. Supports psychological growth of students through individual and/or group counseling, use of behavior management techniques, and parent counseling.
      2. Works collaboratively and effectively with community organizations and outside agencies.
      3. Promotes family-school collaboration to enhance student learning.
      4. Demonstrates effective interpersonal relationships with others.
      5. Uses skills in communication, collaboration, and consultation to promote necessary change at the individual student, classroom, and building level.
      6. Utilizes research and program evaluation to enhance student learning.
      7. Shares information about research in curriculum and instruction with educators, parents, and the community to promote improvement in instruction and student achievement.
      8. Assists all staff in the development and implementation of curriculum modifications and appropriate classroom strategies.
      9. Ensures that all activities adhere to the professional standards and an ethical code for the school psychologist.
      10. Keeps abreast of new information, innovative ideas, and techniques.
      11. Uses evidence-based strategies to design, implement, and evaluate effective policies and practices that enhance learning and mental health outcomes for students.
      12. Provides support for classroom teachers in collecting and analyzing progress monitoring data.
      13. Provides assistance in schools and other settings for analyzing, interpreting, and using empirical foundations for effective practices at the individual and group level.

   6. Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices

      1. Follows legal, ethical, and professional practices to enhance student learning.
      2. Adheres to all RCEC district policies and procedures.
      3. Assists school personnel in following Kansas State Department of Education and federal guidelines for special education.
      4. Maintains regular attendance.
      5. Maintains an inventory of materials, tests, and supplies.
      6. Develops confidential and timely reports.
      7. Maintains appropriate and confidential records.
      8. Maintains confidentiality.
      9. Adheres to all district and RCEC health and safety policies including all precautions of the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.

   7. Education and/or Experience:

      1. Current Kansas certificate for school psychology on file.
      2. Free of any physical condition that would conflict with the health, safety, or welfare of the students.
      3. Valid driver’s license.

   8. Language Skills:

      1. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
      2. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
      3. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
      4. Communicate in a manner consistent with professional standards of schools and the community.