School Psychologist Assistant

Position Type:
Student Services/Special Service Providers/Psychologist Assistant
Date Posted:
7/20/2023
Location:
Basil T Knight Center (BTK)
Date Available:
2023-24
Closing Date:
open until filled
Job Title:Psychologist Assistant
Pay Program: Support Staff
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Special Education Coordinator
Pay Range: CH 19: $27.79 - $30.96
Work Year: 196 Days / 8 Hours
VISION: To Engage, Equip, and Empower our learning community today for a limitless tomorrow.
SUMMARY: Under the direct supervision of a licensed School Psychologist, this position is responsible for enabling students to derive the fullest possible educational experience from school by promoting their sense of self, by helping to diagnose psycho-educational needs while promoting the use of the problem-solving model.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Job Responsibility Descriptions

1. Assist School Psychologist in gathering data for special education evaluations and conducting FLA's to include teacher/parent interviews and classroom observations, etc.

1. Assist School Psychologist in obtaining developmental histories, behavior scales, etc. and maintaining case records on referred students including child study reports for each student.

1. Participate in screening programs, assist school personnel in developing preventative mental health activities, and consult with outside service agencies when appropriate. May attend building and/or district meetings.

1. Assist in the development of behavior support plans with school teams

1. Assist School Psychologist with scheduling of meetings and appointments.

1. Consult and collaborate with staff, students, parents and community members

1. Keep abreast of new developments in the field and serve as a resource for other staff members

1. Performs additional duties as may be assigned by the Special Education Coordinator(s) or School Psychologists.

EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor Degree in Psychology or related field from an accredited institution of higher education required*;
• Strong preference given for enrollment in a graduate level program for school psychology or a willingness to attain a graduate degree in school psychology within two years of hire;
• Minimum two years of experience working with children and/or students, preference given for experience working with psychology services needs students*;
• Preference given for credit hours in early-childhood education, education, or healthcare and/or prior school district experience;
• Bilingual oral and written skills, English/Spanish, are desirable;

*Acceptable demonstration of education and/or experience is at the sole discretion of the district.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS:

• Must successfully complete a criminal background check required for hire;
• Valid Colorado driver's license or identification required;
• Attendance at and successful completion of Response to Intervention, Quality Behavior Interventions, and Positive Behavior Support Systems training(s) within 60 days of hire;
• Attend and successfully complete all staff development training as required by state law or as directed by supervisor.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:
Community Awareness - This Assistant role brings a basic knowledge of local cultural and educational diversity as it relates to understanding special education student learning, behavior support systems, and how District services are provided. This position is responsible for supporting District personnel in understanding how to foster success for all students regardless of gender, race, or ability.
Legal Knowledge Base - Special Service Provider Assistants hold an expectation to possess a base knowledge of and promote and enact federal, state, and District education policies, standards, and procedures. As a Special Education employee this role supports District personnel in understanding and abiding by legal and ethical boundaries as outlined in the:

• Every Student Succeeds Act - Title I, Title II, Title III (ESSA 2015),
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004),
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act (1964),
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA, 1974) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act,
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, (FERPA 1974, 2016),
• Exceptional Children's Education Act (ECEA, 2013),
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA, 1996).

Other Skills and Awareness - This Assistant role must also possess basic skills that include:

• Exceptional oral communication and phone etiquette skills in English;
  • Ability to use Spanish oral communication skills is desirable;
• Exceptional customer service, and interpersonal relationship building skills;
• Exceptional ability to pay attention to detail and work independently as needed with minimal direction and/or supervision;
• Well-developed skills for public speaking in small group and large meeting settings;
• Well-developed ability to consult with and explain complex concepts and difficult situations in a compassionate and understandable format;
• Well-developed writing, organizational, scheduling, report writing and record keeping skills;
• Ability to use de-escalation skills to diffuse and manage stressful, fluid, and possibly dangerous situations;
• Ability to apply skills in developing behavior support plans and providing functional behavioral assessments;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job; especially related to student issues and IEP reports;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and frequent interruptions in a timely manner;
• Ability to be adaptable and flexible with collaborative critical thinking and problem solving capabilities;
• Ability to promote and follow Board of Education policies, building and department procedures;
• Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with people from diverse ethnic and
  educational backgrounds;
• Ability to recognize the importance of safety in the workplace, follow safety rules, practice safe work habits, utilize appropriate safety equipment and report unsafe conditions to the appropriate administrator.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT OPERATING KNOWLEDGE:

• Operating knowledge of and experience with personal computers and peripherals;
• Operating knowledge of and experience with office software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and email;
• Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment, such as copier, scanner, fax machine, etc.;
• Operating level knowledge for the District's student tracking software required within 30 days of hire.

Salary & Benefits:
View all salary schedules for the current school year at: https://d51schools.org/employment/job_opportunities/salary_schedules
Information regarding D51 Benefits can be found here: https://www.d51schools.org/employment/job_opportunities/employee_benefits