Substitute - School Psychologist

REPORTS TO:  Special Education Coordinator

DEPARTMENT:  Student Services

POSITION OVERVIEW 

SSD school psychologists are committed to providing school psychological services that enable all students to have access to an educational program that supports their individual and social-emotional needs and empowers them to excel to their greatest potential. 

To achieve this mission, you will collaborate and consult with parents and school staff regarding student learning and social and emotional development, support data-based decision making, and provide recommendations for evidence-based support. This includes coordinating and completing special education evaluations and determining eligibility for special education services aligned to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education compliance standards and indicators. 

You should consider applying for this position if your values align with SSD's core values of equity, commitment, and collaboration and you believe every student deserves the resources and support required to help them learn. SSD staff are expected to understand and have a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and for that commitment to be evident in their work.

CLASSIFICATION

Exempt  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads the multidisciplinary team in the special education evaluation process
• Conducts special education evaluations including administering standardized assessment and rating scales, observation, Functional Behavior Assessment, and other direct and indirect data collection needed to determine eligibility for special education services, including need for special education. 
• Chairs eligibility conferences and ensures that eligibility decisions are data-based, made in compliance with Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education evaluation special education process and eligibility criteria and professional best practice
• Collaboratively provides a multi-tiered system of supports through implementation and monitoring of evidence-based behavioral and academic interventions for all students in need
• Participates in staff meetings and ongoing professional development to stay abreast of SSD and Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education best practices and compliance requirements
• Serves on SSD and component district committees as requested by supervisor
• Performs other tasks and or duties as assigned 

Skills

• Knowledge of federal, state and local policies, laws, regulations, standards, and  procedures pertaining to the position’s performance responsibilities
• Knowledge of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education compliance standards and indicators for special education evaluation and identification 
• Advanced skills in the administration of assessment and interpretation of evaluation data, and the alignment of that data to eligibility criteria
• Planning, problem-solving, organizing, communicating, and collaborating in order to satisfy job responsibilities and establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Graduate degree in school psychology required
• Prior experience as a school psychologist preferred

CERTIFICATION

• Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education certification in school psychology - or eligibility to obtain certification required

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and policy and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively one-on-one and before groups.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to collect and graph skill programming and behavior data, add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and percentages.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to problem-solve and apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written and/or oral diagram form.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties and responsibilities of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate , stand, move and walk at a brisk pace, sit, and use hands and arms to handle, feel and reach.  The position requires the ability to accompany students anywhere on school premises.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.  Additionally, the employee must be physically able to implement all Board of Education Policies, District procedures, and to perform Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training and techniques. The employee must be physically able to react and intervene quickly during crisis situations, such as but not limited to the following circumstances: student elopement, physical altercations involving students, or any situation that requires physical intervention to maintain student safety.  Yearly NCI training with participation in physical intervention strategies is a requirement for the job.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

EEOC STATEMENT

Special School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, genetic information, or any other characteristics protected by law. To request an ADA Accommodation, please contact our Director of ADA and Accessibility for Staff 314-989-8299.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary

Hourly Rate $36.00  

EVALUATION

The employee will be evaluated periodically

Board Approved Date:  June 2003

Revised:  August 2013, July 2022, June 2023