JOB SUMMARY
Position works with school personnel, parents/guardians, students and others to identify and assess students who may be eligible for placement in district special education programs and for Section 504 accommodations/services. After eligibility is confirmed, works with school personnel, parents/guardians and students to place students in appropriate programs and provides support to staff and students throughout students’ placements. Duties are performed under risk of infection and injury and require work with students having intense learning, developmental and behavioral needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties of this position include the following tasks. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned at any time.
Direct Services
Works with building staff members to identify and implement intervention strategies prior to individual student eligibility assessment for district special education programs and services and Section 504 accommodations and services.
Helps develop and implement strategies which meet individual student behavioral and social/emotional needs and generally support student learning. Promotes wellness and resilience by reinforcing communication and social skills, problem-solving, anger management, self-regulation and self-determination.
Adequately, timely and clearly interprets assessment results using plain, concise language for diverse audiences. Assessment information and results will be supported by a written report.
Provides individual and group counseling services to students as needed or required.
Participates as a crisis team member and provides counseling/crisis intervention for students and staff during and after sudden emergencies.
Recommends modifications to the school/academic programs for students who require accommodations.
Regularly uses oral, written and electronic communications to students and parents regarding student behavior and student progress towards classroom and district education objectives/goals. Schedules parent conferences as needed or requested.
Demonstrates knowledge and skill in applying conflict management and dispute resolution techniques.
Assessments
Conducts consultations, interviews, observations and assessments to determine individual student eligibility for district special education programs and services and Section 504 accommodations and services. Observes, evaluates and refers students who need additional services and support.
Conducts assessments for health/safety risks posed by a student to the student, other students and/or staff members.
Assistance and Support – Internal
Participates as necessary in:
Special Services team meetings;
evaluation planning meetings;
parent conferences;
IEP meetings;
placement determination meetings;
manifestation determination meetings;
other meetings as determined or required.
Assistance and Support – External
Provides individual and group counseling services to students and/or parents/guardians as needed or required.
Consults with public and private community agencies including other school districts, public and private mental health service providers and law enforcement agencies to enhance student support while students are in various district programs. Coordinates delivery of services to students and their families outside of the school day.
General
Works collaboratively with district administrators and colleagues to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, federal and state regulations and district policies and procedures regarding IDEA and Section 504 requirements and Medicaid procedures.
Keeps abreast of best practices, maintains professional relationships with colleagues, students and families and participates in activities which all enhance service delivery for the benefit of students and their families.
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of all district policies and procedures.
Maintains consistent, daily and punctual attendance.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Non-essential duties of this position include the following tasks. Employees in this position perform some or all of these tasks. Other duties may be assigned at any time.
Operates various office equipment including audio visual equipment/devices, telephones and photocopy machines.
Attends in-service trainings, staff meetings and other meetings as assigned. Attends professional growth activities related to job responsibilities.
Makes presentations to staff, parents/guardians and community members regarding human development, learning and behavior.
Serves on building and district committees and councils as assigned.
Communicates information about the role of a school psychologist to students, staff, parents/guardians and community members.
Supervises students on in and outside of classroom settings.
Provides field supervision for intern school psychologist students as assigned.
Reports issues to principals and the appropriate authorities including safety, sanitary and fire hazards, vandalism, thefts and errant wildlife.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Consistently follows all applicable federal and state laws and all district policies, rules and supervisor directions.
Observes ergonomics of sedentary office work including placement of computers and monitors, and sitting alignment.
Observes proper lifting techniques and other strategies to avoid accidents and personal injury while performing job duties.
Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
All school employees have some responsibility for supervising students and assisting in maintaining a safe environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
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.
Education and/or Experience: A Master’s degree in Psychology or related field is required. A valid Oregon Personnel Service License with School Psychologist endorsement is required. As alternatives, an Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners license or license as a Clinical Psychologist is acceptable. Three (3) years of successful experience in pediatric psychology is preferred. Experience in a K-12 education setting is preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development is required.
Interpersonal Skills: Works well with others from diverse backgrounds. Focuses on solving conflict, maintaining confidentiality, listening to others, keeping emotions under control, remaining open to others’ ideas and contributing to building a positive team spirit. Demonstrates the ability to remain calm and professional in an environment with frequent interruptions. Interacts with staff and students appropriately.
Language Skills: Ability to communicate in English fluently both verbally and in writing, including proficiency in spelling and grammar. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from students, parents, staff, regulatory agencies, vendors and members of the community. Ability to read and interpret documents including governmental regulations, safety rules and operating and maintenance instructions/ instruction manuals. Ability to prepare routine reports and correspondence with high degrees of accuracy and professionalism.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate rates, ratios, percentages and proportions. Ability to read and interpret various charts, bar graphs and similar visual data depictions.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in oral, schedule or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving more than one variable.
Computer Skills: Ability to effectively use office computers and internet access for email, research, word processing, database manipulation, visual presentations and general web-based applications.
Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to exercise good judgment and work effectively in a dynamic environment. Demonstrated understanding of the role of a school psychologist and of current trends in student behavior in public school settings is required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: A valid Oregon Driver’s License is required. Must have or able to obtain various certificates, licenses and/or registrations as required by federal, state or local law(s) and/or determined by the district.
PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS
The physical expectations described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
When performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see, or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk stand, sit, use fingers and hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms and move around inside and outside of buildings. The employee is occasionally required to, push, pull, bend, stoop, crawl, kneel and crouch. The employee must lift and/or move up to 35lbs. The employee may occasionally climb stairs or ladders. The employee must have, with or without vision correction, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee may occasionally use approved restraint and de-escalation procedures with students.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The work environment is a standard classroom and school office settings. There may be some meetings with family members in different settings. The noise level of the work environment is usually low to moderate, but occasionally high depending upon the location, the student population and current activities. The employee occasionally will be required to supervise students. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions, including seasonal heat and cold. The employee may occasionally be exposed to contagious diseases, bodily fluids and blood-borne pathogens.
The employee may occasionally implement crisis prevention/intervention protocols which involve risk of personal injury from students.
NOTE: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Lake Oswego School District is committed to being an antiracist, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment, selection, and employment without regard to race, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, religion, veteran or military status, or any other category protected under the law. LOSD is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment procedures for individuals experiencing a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 503-534-2000. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.
Lake Oswego School District is a Drug-Free/Smoke-Free Workplace
