School Psychologist @ West Valley School District

West Valley School District • Yakima, WA

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The School Psychologist will collaborate and consult with basic education staff on Response to Intervention (RTI), pre-referral interventions, and documentation of results. This role involves leading student study team meetings, participating in faculty meetings, special education meetings, and school psychologist meetings. The psychologist will conduct and coordinate special education eligibility evaluations in compliance with IDEA 2004 and its implementation rules and regulations. Responsibilities include screening and evaluating referred children, selecting appropriate instruments, administering tests, conducting observations, and writing comprehensive reports with educational program recommendations. The position requires timely submission of evaluation findings and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to develop appropriate educational plans in the least restrictive environment. The School Psychologist must submit records and reports on time, follow district procedures, and proactively communicate with team members and special education staff. Developing and maintaining positive relationships with the multidisciplinary team is essential. The role requires staying knowledgeable about common core state standards and curriculum across all grade levels. The psychologist will work to increase students’ academic achievement and social success by identifying barriers and determining the best instructional strategies and interventions. This includes designing and implementing academic and behavioral interventions, providing support to basic education staff regarding accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities, and reevaluating students to assess progress and program effectiveness. Additionally, the role involves providing counseling, instruction, and mentoring for students struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems, promoting wellness and resilience. Strengthening connections between home, school, and the community, making referrals, and coordinating community support services are key. Proactive communication with staff, parents, and students regarding student progress and behavior is expected. Collaboration with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments is crucial. The psychologist will implement school-wide prevention programs to maintain positive school climates, ensure student safety by reducing school violence, bullying, and harassment, and respond to crises by providing leadership and direct services. Data collection and analysis related to school improvement, student outcomes, and accountability requirements are also part of the role. Maintaining a positive, student-centered attitude and modeling appropriate professional behaviors are expected. The School Psychologist will serve on school teams to design and implement successful School Wide System for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS). Other duties as assigned. Bilingual skills are preferred.

Requirements

• Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate Certificate with school psychology endorsement and evidence of competency in school psychology as indicated by college transcript
• Knowledgeable about IDEA 2004 and the WACs and implements all procedures to meet compliance standards
• Skilled in assessing students, identifying skills deficiencies, providing appropriate interventions to fill competency gaps, and writing high-quality evaluation reports that comply with federal, state, and district expectations
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to work cooperatively with other team members in developing recommendations for students
• Communicates effectively and possess strong interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to facilitate team meetings and lead teams to reach consensus
• Experienced using conflict management skills
• Demonstrated success with non-traditional learners and at-risk students
• Evidence of high standards in student management and student achievement
• Demonstrated success in developing classroom and behavioral interventions for students with a wide variety of disabilities
• Proven competency conducting FBAs and developing BIPs
• Proficient in computer skills and use of the Internet
• Has a positive approach to obstacles
• Demonstrates the ability to adjust to and use new approaches in the performance of his/her duties
• Certified in Safety Care or willing to become certified and keep his/her certificate current
• Seeks and takes advantage of opportunities for professional growth
• Believes that all students can learn

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of successful experience
• Experience working with students from preschool through 12th grade
• Experience working with self-contained students
• Bilingual Preferred

Responsibilities

• Collaborates and consults with basic education staff in the process of RTI, pre-referral interventions, and documentation of results
• Leads building student study team meetings and participates in building faculty meetings, in-district special education meetings, and school psychologist meetings
• Conducts and coordinates special education eligibility evaluations compliant with IDEA 2004 and its implementation rules and regulations
• Screens and evaluates referred children including selecting appropriate instruments, administering tests, conducting observations, and writing reports which state the evaluation findings and provide for educational program recommendations
• Contributes evaluation findings in a timely manner and works with the multidisciplinary team to develop appropriate educational plans for students in the least restrictive environment
• Submits records and reports on time, follows district procedures, and proactively communicates with other team members and special education staff
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with the multidisciplinary team
• Remains knowledgeable about the common core state standards and curriculum in all grade levels
• Increases students’ academic achievement and social success by identifying barriers and determining the best instructional strategies and interventions to improve learning and behavior
• Designs and implements academic and behavioral interventions
• Provides support to basic education staff regarding appropriate accommodations and modifications needed for students with disabilities in order to facilitate improved performance in the general education setting
• Reevaluates students as appropriate to determine the extent of progress and effectiveness of programming
• Provides counseling, instruction, and mentoring for those struggling with social, emotional, and behavioral problems; promotes wellness and resilience by reinforcing social skills, problem solving, anger management, self-regulation, self-determination, and optimism
• Strengthens connections between home, school, and the community
• Makes referrals and helps coordinate community support services as appropriate
• Seeks opportunities to proactively communicate with staff, parents, and students regarding student progress and behavior
• Collaborates with educators, parents, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments
• Implements school-wide prevention programs that help maintain positive school climates conducive to learning
• Ensures the safety of all students by reducing school violence, bullying, and harassment
• Responds to crises by providing leadership, direct services, and coordination with needed community services
• Collects and analyzes data related to school improvement, student outcomes, and accountability requirements
• Maintains a positive, student-centered attitude and models appropriate professional behaviors at all times
• Serve on school team to design and implement successful School Wide System for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS)
• Other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Washington State Retirement (PERS, SERS & TERS)
• Paid Holiday (260-day employees and bargaining groups that have holidays included within their CBA)
• Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Vacation (260-day employees only)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• VEBA (Non-Rep, WVEA, Principal, Directors and Superintendent(s) ONLY)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level