School Psychologist (SPED) - FY25

Reports To: Coordinator of School Psychology  

Summary:

The school psychologist promotes the student’s sense of self- treats or assists in treating any psychological or mental health problems- and evaluates students’ needs- abilities- and skills.

Position Purpose:

School Psychologists employed by Topeka Public Schools are mental health professionals licensed by the Kansas Department of Education. School Psychology services involve direct and indirect work with all students- with a focus on those students who have exceptionalities and/or are at-risk.

School Psychologists work with parents- teachers- and other school professionals to ensure students have access to a free and appropriate education- and to meet students’ academic- emotional- and behavioral needs by:

1. Applying knowledge and skills when working with students with exceptionalities and their families- individually or in groups- for the purpose of promoting positive educational experiences.
2. Participating in comprehensive evaluations to identify and assess factors that may affect a student’s ability to learn.
3. Identifying home- school- and community factors in the life of an exceptional student that may impact his/her education.
4. Collaborating with family- school- and community agencies to enable a student to receive maximum benefit from his/her educational program.

Qualifications:

• Certification by the Kansas State Department of Education in School Psychology required.
• Experience in direct services to children- adolescents- and families in school settings preferred.
• ESOL preferred

Physical/Emotional Requirements:  The incumbent may be required to use the below requirements during any part of the working day.

While performing the duties of this job- the employee is frequently required to sit- talk- and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision- distance vision- depth perception- and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee is required to interact with staff and to meet demands from several people. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Family Contacts

• Interviews student’s family members to discuss their student’s developmental and educational adjustment
• Identifies resources to support the student and family
• Works with parents to facilitate support of their student’s school adjustment
• Serves as a liaison between home and school
• Assists parents and other adult caregivers with the development and implementation of behavior change programs

Collaboration

• Facilitates decision-making and collaboration- and fosters a commitment to quality- effective services for all children and families
• Possesses positive interpersonal skills
• Presents and disseminates information to diverse audiences
• Facilitates team meetings
• Uses effective conflict-resolution strategies
• Collaborates with school personnel- parents- and the community in the aftermath of crises
• Routinely accesses community and district resources to address behavioral- learning- mental- and physical difficulties
• Must complete all Special Education paperwork including IEPs and Medicaid billing.

Collection and Analysis of Information/Data

• Systematically collects information to identify strengths and needs of students and uses the information to make decisions regarding educational programming
• Collects data on individual students- families- educational and health programs- classroom environments- and so forth
• Uses data to design- implement- and evaluate effective direct and indirect intervention services
• Supports Student Improvement Team with interventions- progress monitoring- and data analysis

Evaluation- Assessment and Research

• Evaluates the components of environments that facilitate or impede learning or behavioral changes and identifies how environmental factors and students’ characteristics interact to affect academics and social/behavioral outcomes
• Administers- scores- and interprets individual tests of cognition- achievement- and social or emotional development
• Helps staff develop appropriate cognitive and academic goals for children
• Incorporates knowledge of diversity when assessing- designing- and implementing academic and social/behavioral needs in order to determine appropriate interventions
• Assists staff in identifying what is needed for students to succeed and which instructional or other modifications are required to address student difficulties
• Knowledgeable of various psychological and educational assessment methods
• Knowledgeable of methods that link assessment results with intervention
• Identifies and recognizes behaviors that are precursors to academic- behavioral- and serious personal difficulties
• Knowledgeable of current research and effective data-driven decision-making and problem-solving processes

 Developing and Assisting with Student and Classroom Interventions

• Incorporates appropriate strategies when developing intervention programs that facilitate successful transitions of children from one environment to another environment
• Provides consultation- behavior assessments- behavior interventions- and counseling services
• Develops methodologies- such as conflict resolution and social problem-solving/decision-making approaches- that assist teachers and families in teaching pro-social behavior
• Assists children in developing behaviors that support effective learning

Crisis Intervention

• Assists schools with crisis intervention
• Provides psychological first aid to students and staff

Policies- Practices and Procedures

• Assists staff in designing- implementing- and evaluating policies and practices in areas such as discipline- problem-solving- instructional support- staff training- program evaluation- transition plans- grading- retention- and home-school partnerships
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures to promote safe and violence free schools
• Maintains up-to-date records
• Follows due process guidelines in all decisions affecting students
• Maintains confidential records of evaluations and assessments
• Follows due process guidelines in all decisions affecting students
• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as the superintendent or designee may assign

Language Skills

• Reads- analyzes- and interprets general educational reports- professional journals- technical procedures- and regulations
• Communicates clearly and concisely both in oral and written form

Terms of Employment:

9 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation:

Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board policy on evaluation of certified employees.

Benefits Information

Salary Information

Employer Information