SY 26-27 School Psychologist

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia seeks a qualified School Psychologist to evaluate students for special education or gifted services, and to provide consultative support to schools and families. The role includes collaborative participation in multi-disciplinary teams and guidance for pre-assessment interventions.

Responsibilities also cover testing, report preparation, program recommendations, and ongoing communication with staff, parents, and outside agencies to promote effective outcomes

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in psychology
• Four years of professional experience in child psychology
• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to act as a School Psychologist
• Ability to conduct cognitive, academic, and social-emotional assessments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct cognitive, academic, and social-emotional evaluations of referred students.
• Administer psychological and educational tests to identify learning and behavioral differences.
• Participate in the multidisciplinary team process of student evaluations.
• Assist in developing individual educational programs and placement decisions; follow up with staff and parents.
• Prepare and maintain case history records for individual students.
• Provide consultative services to teachers, students, and parents.
• Involve in staff and family training activities and pre-intervention planning.

Skills

Test administration

Report writing

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Child psychology knowledge

Behavioral psychology

ASL proficiency

Education

Master’s degree

Four years professional experience in child psychology

Tools

EasyIEP Gifted Process Module

Job description

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,405 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment, and vision. Will you join us? DISCLOSURE: This position requires an oral exam for consideration.

Job Summary

Provides psychological services to students thought to be eligible for special education services or for gifted services. Performs evaluations of the cognitive, academic, and social-emotional development of students through the use of techniques such as non-biased testing, observation, and clinical evaluation. Provides consultative services to all stakeholders regarding the process and services to schools within the School District of Philadelphia. Participates in the multi-disciplinary team process and individual educational programming activities for exceptional students. Assists regular education instructional staff in developing and implementing pre-assessment and informal intervention strategies for referred students.

Essential Functions

• For all Specialties: Conducts evaluations of referred students' cognitive, academic, and social-emotional development in order to identify the exceptional student.
• Administers psychological and educational tests to identify learning and/or behavioral differences in individual students.
• Participates in the multi-disciplinary team process of student evaluations.
• Assists in the development of the individual educational program by making placement, service, and referral recommendations; follows-up on students' placement, adjustment, and achievement by consulting with school staff, parents, and outside service agencies.
• Participates in staff and family training activities.
• Prepares and maintains case history records on individual students.

General/Sign Language Specialty

• Assists in the development of the individual educational program by making placement, service, and referral recommendations; follows-up on students' placement, adjustment, and achievement by consulting with school staff, parents, and outside service agencies.
• Provides pre-intervention consulting services to regular education instructional staff.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of informal intervention techniques.
• Serves as a resource person to special education teachers and other professional/paraprofessional staff members engaged in the delivery of programs in the delivery of programs and services to special education students.

Gifted Specialty

• Assists in the development of the gifted individual educational program.
• Provides pre-evaluation consulting services to regular education instructional staff.
• Documents appropriate information and reports in the EasyIEP - Gifted Process module.
• Provides consultative services to school staff and parents as needed regarding the gifted evaluation process and services to schools within the School District of Philadelphia and, where appropriate, to parents from private and parochial schools as it pertains to Equal Participation.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of professional experience working in the field of child psychology.

Emotional Support Specialty

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of professional experience working in the field of child psychology with children with disabilities and co-occurring mental health challenges.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• For all Specialties - Demonstrated knowledge of:- the basic principles of child and adolescent psychology and related behavioral sciences.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated knowledge of:- the application of psychology to individual and group behavior.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated knowledge of:- psychological techniques employed in the modification of human behavior.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated knowledge of:- the principles and techniques of administering, scoring and interpreting psychological and educational tests.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated knowledge of:- general referral techniques.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated knowledge of:- federal and state laws pertaining to the delivery of psychological services to school age children.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated ability to: - administer psychological and educational tests in an educational setting.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated ability to: - provide consultative services to teachers, students, and parents.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated ability to: - prepare clear and concise reports.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated ability to: - communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• For all Specialties - Demonstrated ability to: - establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• For Sign Language Specialty - Demonstrated knowledge of:- the diagnostic instruments and norms commonly used with hearing impaired students.
• For Sign Language Specialty - Demonstrated knowledge of:- the effects of hearing impairment on the psychological development of children.
• For Sign Language Specialty - Demonstrated ability to: - proficiency in the use and understanding of American Sign Language.
• For Sign Language Specialty - Demonstrated ability to: - communicate in English and American Sign Language.
• For Gifted Specialty - Demonstrated ability to: - communicate respectfully to parents regarding a student's evaluation findings.
• For Gifted Specialty - Demonstrated ability to: - deliver professional development to educators and parents on issues and processes related to exceptional childrenthe principles and techniques of administering, scoring and interpreting psychological and educational for gifted evaluation.- federal and state laws pertaining to the identification of gifted students.
• For Gifted Specialty - Demonstrated ability to: - the challenges and issues related to the identification of under-represented populations for gifted and talented services.
• For Gifted Specialty - Demonstrated ability to: - the characteristics and behaviors of gifted children.

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to act as a School Psychologist.

Disclaimer The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.