School Psychologist

State-of-Iow; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD) seeks a School Psychologist to support deaf and hard of hearing students from pre-school to age 21. The role collaborates with teachers, counselors, and health professionals to meet student goals and ensure high-quality IEPs.

Responsibilities include assessments, IEP development, direct student counseling, crisis support, and professional development. Qualifications require Iowa licensure and advanced ASL proficiency.

Qualifications

• Experience working with deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Advanced American Sign Language skills.
• Licensure eligibility for School Psychologist/Specialist roles.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments including cognitive, academic, adaptive behavior and psychological evaluations.
• Collaborate with ISD staff to interpret assessments and support IEPs.
• Attend IEP meetings and contribute to planning and development of student services.
• Provide counseling and crisis support to students.
• Support staff with data interpretation and teaching strategies.

Skills

Experience with DH Deaf/dhh students

ASL proficiency (advanced)

Education

Education degree

ASL advanced level

Job description

Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD) www.iowaschoolforthedeaf.org is located on a 115 acre campus located on the southern edge of Council Bluffs, Iowa. The campus is within 15 minutes of downtown Omaha, Nebraska. ISD serves students from the states of Iowa and Nebraska.

Primary Function

The School Psychologist provides services in support of Iowa School for the Deaf’s mission which is to prepare deaf and hard of hearing students from pre-school to age 21 for life as literate citizens who contribute to society. The School Psychologist collaborates with ISD teachers, school counselors and professionals in other disciplines (e.g. mental health specialists, DHS personnel, other AEA professionals) to assist students in meeting their goals.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct Assessments:
  • Oversee school-wide student assessments.
  • Complete academic, intellectual, adaptive behavior, and psychological evaluations with deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to 21 including students with additional disabilities.
  • Write re-evaluation plans, full and individual evaluations, and comprehensive psychological evaluation reports. Work involved testing and evaluating students to determine instructional placement, support services, and disability eligibilities.
• Support ISD school personnel:
  • Assist faculty and support staff in interpreting assessments and other student data.
  • Assist faculty and support staff in IEP goal writing and progress monitoring.
  • Provide assistance in identifying learners having academic/social-emotional/behavioral/developmental difficulties that could lead to school failure.
  • Provide direct consultation, coaching, and modeling of instructional techniques and teaching strategies to faculty and support staff concerning student behaviors, curriculum development/adjustment, student learning style, adoption of methods and materials.
  • Arrange, plan, and deliver appropriate agency approved activities, including professional development, as directed by the Principal.
• Oversee IEP Development:
  • Work with teachers and GHAEA staff to ensure ISD IEPs are compliant and of high quality.
  • Attend IEPs to discuss assessments.
• Provide support for students:
  • Monitor and help student attainment of academic, social/personal, and emotional competencies.
  • Counsel students in the personal/social, academic, emotional domains.
  • Provide crisis counseling.
  • Provide referral services to community agencies.
  • Communicate with parent(s).
• Program Support:
  • Assist with student intakes: Tours, contacts, request for records, attend IEP meetings and complete initial evaluations.
  • Other duties as assigned to support students or the school.
• Professional Development:
  • Participate in continuing professional development activities to enhance professional knowledge and skills.
  • Use research in school practice by (a) reading research literature, (b) distributing and synthesizing research findings, and (c) conducting action research related to applied problems.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Teaching license with subject area endorsement and deaf/hard-of-hearing endorsement.

Qualification:

• Completion of an Education degree and eligible to meet State of Iowa licensure requirements for School Psychologist
• American Sign Language minimum level of advanced required.

Information on Iowa licensing requirements may be found at the Board of Educational Examiners webpage: www.state.ia.us/boee/.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Collaborate with a team of teachers, support staff, and parents to support the education of deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Competitive salary and benefits package: https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. One of the following current licenses from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners:
   1. School Psychologist
   2. School Counseling
   3. Speech Language Pathologist
2. All of the following (a and b):
   1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in orientation and mobility; and
   2. Possession of a current Iowa Orientation and Mobility Specialist license.
3. All of the following (a and b):
   1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field; and
   2. Possession of a current Iowa Teaching Certificate.