LTS School Psychologist (Mitchell/Sunita Williams Elementary)
About The Position
Needham Public Schools is an inclusive, dynamic, and multicultural community seeking an energetic, skilled, and warm S chool Psychologist to join our team. To enhance our goals of supporting every child, Needham Public Schools seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences. About Needham Public Schools (NPS): NPS has a deep commitment to the success of our diverse students and families and to the professional accomplishments of its educators. Needham devotes itself to cultural proficiency, equity, and community collaboration to fulfill the vision of the Portrait of a Needham Graduate . This METCO district comprises 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 nationally-ranked high school serving approximately 5,500 students. NPS is committed to addressing equity in the district by focusing on improving academic performance for historically marginalized students and ensuring our schools are safe for every child and free of bias, bullying, and hurtful acts that demean and diminish.
Requirements
- Working knowledge and experience administering a wide range of assessment tools for cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional assessments.
- Experience with the interpretation of neuropsychological evaluations.
- Experience with elementary-aged children.
- Experience and interest in working with students with severe disabilities, including autism.
- Experience with substantially separate classroom settings.
- Experience with assistive technology including communication devices.
- Experience with behavior management and programs to support social-emotional learning (Social Thinking, etc.)
- Ability to effectively and compassionately communicate with students, parents, and staff both orally and in writing.
- Knowledge of data collection, data analysis, and formulation of behavior plans.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
- Ability to use computer network systems and software applications as needed.
- Ability to organize and prioritize tasks.
- Ability to engage and self-evaluation and self-reflection concerning performance and professional growth.
- Master's in psychology
- Experience in clinical work with students
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Commonwealth of MA license as a School Psychologist
Responsibilities
- Conduct psychological assessments of students to recommend courses of action to maximize learning and social-emotional development, including but not limited to cognitive and social-emotional testing.
- Chair Initial and Reevaluation IEP Team Meetings
- Participate in the special education eligibility process
- Report writing/presentation at Team meetings
- Comprehensive understanding of autism and cognitive disabilities
- Conduct counseling sessions for students as needed.
- Conduct observations in school and at outside programs for students as needed.
- Attendance at IEP and 504 meetings and development of IEPs and 504 plans as needed.
- Serve as a consultative resource to school personnel and families in regards to social-emotional learning and student mental health.
- Attend and participate in Teacher Support Team and Behavior Support Team meetings.
- Serve as a liaison with students' private clinicians.
- Other duties as assigned by the Special Education Coordinator
