School Psychologist - Albany, United States - Dougherty County School System

Description

Position Type:
Student Support Services

Date Posted:
7/11/2023

Location:
Exceptional Students ProgramPOSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

July 11, 2023

POSITION: School Psychologist

LOCATION: Exceptional Students Program

JOB SUMMARY:

The School Psychologist is directly responsible for the psychological assessment of cognitive, academic, social, emotional, adaptive, and behavioral domains utilizing problem-solving and standardized evaluations. The School Psychologist monitors the completion of evaluations and participates in meetings. School psychologists consult on academic and behavioral interventions with teachers, parents and Student Support Team (SST). They also support the various teams from the Individualize Educational Program (IEP), and /or Student Support Teams (SST) to problem solve in designing systems, programs and services that maximize students' social, emotional, and educational success. In collaboration with staff, families, students, and communities the School Psychologist is highly trained in data gathering and analysis. They use these skills in data-based decision making and in evaluation of students and programs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Completion of a state-approved certification preparation program in School Psychology at the specialist degree-level or higher;
2. Valid and Current Georgia Certification /Licensure in School Psychology;
3. Two (2) years of experience as a School Psychologist or equivalent combination of education and experience;
4. Meeting the Special Georgia Requirements applicable to the field of School Psychology;
5. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Must have exemplary communication and organization skills;
2. Ability to function as a positive collaborative member of a team;
3. Ability to travel within the district to administer assessments with toolkits and district/school-level meetings;

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Demonstrates understanding of criteria for all areas of eligibility according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) rules/guidelines;
2. Ensures all newly received documents (evaluation team reports, etc.) are compliant, takes the necessary steps to ensure compliance when necessary, and ensures all existing documents are compliant following the guidelines set forth by the state;
3. Applies ethics and standards of professional practice in the delivery of school psychological services and observes relevant laws and policies that govern practice;
4. Consult with parents, teachers, and other appropriate staff regarding the child's program and any adaptations /materials needed to facilitate improved performance in the classroom or at home;
5. Conducts classroom observations to assist in monitoring interventions, collecting/analyzing data to assist in determining effectiveness and/or need for higher levels of interventions;
6. Provides a variety of psychological services in support of regular and special education students ranging from 3 through 21 years. These services may involve assessment, program planning, direct or supervised intervention and provision of in-service training;
7. Provides consultation to parents, teachers, other school personnel, and community agencies to enhance the learning and adjustment of students;
8. Screens and evaluates referred children including selecting appropriate instruments, administering assessments, observations, and writing reports which state the evaluation findings and provide for educational program recommendations;
9. Participates as a member of the multi-disciplinary team and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Eligibility Determination committee contributing evaluation findings and collaborating on the child's educational plan;
10. Provides collaborative consultation and documentation of results including assisting basic education staff with suggestions and implementation of RTI, pre-referral intervention strategies, and providing recommendations and modifications to assist basic education staff in working with special education students in the classroom setting;
11. Communicates with a variety of individuals and groups for the purpose of providing appropriate information to students, parents or guardians, community health professionals, and district personnel;
12. Complies information from a variety of sources for the purpose of producing a comprehensive evaluation report in compliance with established guidelines;
13. Consults with a variety of individuals for the purpose of providing requested information, developing plans for services, providing feedback, and making recommendations to appropriate personnel;
14. Coordinates with community agencies for the purpose of determining appropriate treatments, strategies, and activities to meet the needs of specific students;
15. Knowledge of behavioral mental health, collaborative and/or consultation models and methods and their application;
16. Proficient use of technology to communicate, compile reports and collect data;
17. Participates in Professional Learning activities on a yearly basis including all required recertification programs, workshops, in-services, professional reading materials, and/or other available offerings at Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), Georgia Association of School Psychologist (GASP), and/or National Association of School Psychologists (GASO), and/or National Association of School Psychologists (NASP);
18. Performs such alternatives to the above requirements as the supervisor may find appropriate.

REPORTS TO: Director of Exceptional Students Program

SALARY RANGE: Competitive salary and excellent benefits package in accordance with the DCSS Compensation Guide.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: The review of applicants will begin on July 24, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD APPLY ONLINE.
THE DOUGHERTY COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR DISABILITY

The System reserves the right to waive any qualifications or other provisions of this advertisement by statute or regulations.
Dougherty County School System uses the Applitrack from Frontline Education to manage employment applications online.

About Us

The Dougherty County School System is a leading catalyst and advocates for public education in Southwest Georgia. It's the largest school system in the second congressional district. The school district has 21 schools (14 elementary, 4 middle, and 3 high schools), five learning centers, and the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy. All schools are accredited by Cognia The DCSS offers a competitive salary and benefits package.

Dougherty County is recognized for its quail and duck hunting, fishing, the Flint River, and many cypress swamps. The County has a population of approximately 90,000. Our County has two institutions of higher education, Albany State University and Albany Technical College. Notable points of interest include the Albany Museum of Art, the Flint RiverQuarium, the Albany Civil Rights Institute, the Parks at Chehaw, Radium Springs Gardens, and Thronateeska Heritage Center, which includes the Museum of History, Wetherbee Planetarium, and the Science Discovery Center. Dougherty County is a short drive to Atlanta, the Georgia coast, as well as the Florida Gulf Coast beaches.

Important Note

This document provides descriptive information about the above Dougherty County School System position. Work actually performed by incumbents in this position may vary. Although this document may be used for recruiting, staffing, or career planning, the information contained herein should only be used as a guideline or recommendation for the content of and qualifications for this position. The Dougherty County School System reserves the right to make changes to this document as deemed necessary without providing advance written notice.