Associate Director of School Psychology - Los Angeles, United States - KIPP SoCal Public Schools

Description

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 23 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 20 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 6,800 alumni to and through college and beyond.

What We Believe
KIPP SoCal believes that the purpose of education is for liberation. This means that we see, develop, and inspire the limitless potential in each and all of our KIPPsters.
What We Do
At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential.

We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world.

We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice.

We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

KIPP SoCal's Mental Health & Support Services Department is housed under the Student Services Department and works closely and in tandem with the Special Education Department.

The Department consists of over 40 School Counselors (MSWs + LCSWs), 14 School Psychologists, 5 Behavior Interventionists, as well as Mental Health Managers.

Our department is grounded in trauma-informed and anti-racist practices.

By providing interventions and resources, we support KIPP SoCal's mission of providing a holistic approach to learning focusing not only on rigorous academics but also character development, enrichment, social-emotional learning, physical and mental health, and affirmation of identity.

The Opportunity
The Associate Director (AD) of School Psychology and Behavior Services oversees the following:
Leadership, Advocacy, Expertise

Acts as mental health expert and "face" of the Student Services team providing consultation and guidance with regards to special education services, assessment, and IEP implementation as well as best practices in behavioral intervention and prevention
Stays up-to-date with district, state, federal laws and policies as they relate to special education, behavior, discipline, and school psychology
Makes evidence-based and culturally responsive recommendations for the inclusion of mental behavioral health interventions within schools
Develops and delivers high quality trainings and presentations, both in person and virtually, to various audiences, including school leaders, school counselors, interns, teachers, families, and more
Collaborates across KIPP SoCal departments to meet goals and deliverables (e.g. Special Education, Academics, Data, etc.)
Management & Hiring

Acts as Hiring Manager for School Psychologists, Behavior Specialists, and Behavior Technicians, updating job descriptions (when needed), designing interviews and tasks, etc.

Directly manages School Psychology Manager, limited amount of School Psychologists and entire Behavior Team
Supervises the implementation of behavioral supports andpsychological assessments
Collaboratively sets performance goals, metrics, and deliverables to drive the KIPP SoCal mission and Student Services vision
Participates and co-leads Peer Review meetings with school psychologists
Evaluate the performance of all assigned direct reports through observations and coaching
Creates & seeks development opportunities for School Psychologists, Behavior Team
Maintains and reviews documentation
May be asked to complete psychoeducational assessments or functional behavior assessments, when needed
Student Safety & Crises

Like all KIPP SoCal staff, the AD is a mandated reporter
Collaborate with school administration and counselors to provide training to prevent suicide and bring awareness to grades K-8, per AB2246
Consult with School Leadership Teams on Threat Assessments
Supports with mental health emergencies and is "on-call" when school psychologists/and or Behavioral Specialsts are absent or unavailable
Experience working with child protective services, providing consultation to school counselors and teams with regards to mandated reporting
Supports School Counselor and Admin teams with re-entry meetings for unsafe behaviors or hospitalizations, as needed
Consults on the creation of individualized crisis plans for students with challenging/unsafe behaviors, as needed
May be asked to be trained as a NCI trainer (de-escalation/ intervention)
Maintains documentation of suicide risk assessments and crisis related paperwork
Special Education

Is a member of the Special Education Leadership Team
Review and ensure IEP timeline compliance
Supports School Psychology Manager in the assignment of cases
Serve as member of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team and attend meetings, as needed
Support with reviewing and leading Peer Review process
Provides consultation and support for high-profile IEPs, attending where appropriate
Provides consultation with the writing of Behavior Intervention Plans for IEPs
Assists IEP team in making recommendations based on all relevant data
Behavioral Supports & Interventions

Sets the vision for the Behavior Intervention Team including, but not limited to: Providing training in best practices for behavior intervention; Assigning cases and managing schedules; Reviewing and providing feedback for behavior summaries and behavior plans
Part of internal Nonviolent Crisis Intervention trainer team, collaboratively leading training for school-based staff for certification
Supports schools with understanding and implementing MTSS and Tier 1 interventions
Schedule and attend Behavior Consultation Hour
Trauma-Informed & Preventative Practices

Works closely and collaboratively with Mental Health Leadership team members to ensure alignment across department roles

Supports the implementation of HEART (Healing Environments And Responses to Trauma) initiative at KIPP SoCal Public Schools, particularly Tier 1 interventions: Implementation of Calm Classroom (mindfulness) across schools; Establishment of Calm Corners across schools; Integration of Social and Emotional Learning within classrooms (e.g.

Ripple Effects, Quaver SEL); Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports
Recommends and teaches techniques for supporting students' social and emotional & behavioral needs
Subject matter expert for trauma-informed/culturally responsive behavioral interventions & SSPTs
Supports School Psychologists in providing consultation and recommendations for designated schools' SSPT process
Co-leads support meetings and training for SSPT Leads at schools
School Psychology Interns & Practicum Students

Oversees the KIPP SoCal School Psychology Internship program including, but not limited to:
Maintaining relationships with established School Psychology programs (e.g. SDSU, LMU, National University, etc.)
Fills out relevant paperwork for requesting interns (e.g. updating "agency" profile, signing agreements)
Scheduling interviews with candidates
Providing opportunities for School Psychologists to receive training from universities and team leaders in Field Instruction and development of interns/practicum students

Troubleshoots challenges with interns including communicating with field liaisons, developing performance improvement plans, or advocating for an intern to be reassigned.

Other duties as needed to support students, schools, and Psych/Behavior team needs.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree, required
Master's of School Psychology degree or related field, required
Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC), required
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) License, required
Minimum 8 years post-Master's degree
Minimum 3 years of management experience of school psychologists, school social workers, behavior specialists or other school-based mental health professionals
Bilingual in Spanish, preferred
Ideal Characteristics

Knowledge & commitment to anti-racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion
Cultural awareness and agility, and ability to foster trust, communication, and culture change
Demonstrated success working with students/families from educationally under-resourced areas
Builds relationships and trust with ease
Superb organizational, planning, and implementation skills
Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with multiple stakeholders
Excellent written, communication, and public skills
High proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
Initiative, innovation, advocacy, leadership, resilience, and tenacity
Experience managing and developing school mental health professionals
Experience leading/advising complex and/or cross-functional projects and teams
Able to stay positive through challenges
Comfort driving between schools across Los Angeles (including San Diego and SoCal)
Detail-oriented team player willing to roll up sleeves and get the job done
Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP SoCal Public Schools mission and community
Willingness to go above and beyond to drive the success of a dynamic team committed to a new future for urban education
The Perks

KIPP SoCal Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $85,600 to $128,400 per year.

New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint of $107,000 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budget allocated for this role.

100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of cost
KIPP SoCal life insurance
401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
Voluntary Benefits (Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us.

You can find our contact information on our website,

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Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.

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