School Psychologist (Pupil Appraisal)

Qualifications:

1. Certification by Louisiana Department of Education as a School Psychologist
2. Master's Degree in Psychology, Educational Psychology, or School Psychology
3. Additional criteria as established by the Board

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Supervises: None

Personal Qualities:

• Devotes time and energy effectively to job
• Demonstrates ability to work well with individuals and groups
• Exercises good judgement when arriving at decisions
• Maintains high standards of ethics, honesty, and integrity in all personal and professional matters

Related Responsibilities:

• Concentrates effort in area of major responsibility
• Is self-directed
• Keeps abreast of current trends in education
• Exhibits loyalty in the promotion of the district's goals
• Completes a self-evaluation annually
• Develops and implements Individual Growth Plan (IGP) annually
• Reports job-related injuries within 48 hours of the incident to the Director of Human Resources ("job related injuries" include, but are not limited to, any accident or illness which involves loss of consciousness, restriction of work motion, or medical treatment.)

Terms of Employment: 10/12 months

Evaluation: 
Performance of this position will be evaluated annually in accordance with Louisiana Department of Education and Natchitoches Parish School Board policy.

Performance Responsibilities:
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Explain and interpret the school psychological services to parents, teachers, principals, and other members of the parish school system.
2. Assist teachers and other school personnel in the design and implementation of educational and behavioral interventions for referred students. 
3. Attend and participate in problem solving meetings at the school level
4. Provide individual and/or group counseling for students who qualify for these services, either through the school building level committee referral process or an IEP
5. Evaluate, as a pupil appraisal service staff member, in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Louisiana Bulletin 1508 - Pupil Appraisal Handbook, those students suspected of needing special education services within specified timelines
6. Function as evaluation coordinator for designated referred students
7. Facilitate/participate in special education eligibility determination meetings prior to the initial IEP meeting with parents, as well as, interpret student classifications and recommendations to school personnel at designated sites
8. Accurately administer, score, and interpret individualized diagnostic assessments and procedures in order to produce accurate and effective evaluation reports within specified timelines.
9. Provide appropriate reports for assigned evaluations, which include areas of support need and recommendations
10. Participate in manifestation determination review processes and due process hearings
11. Serve on designated school building level committees and confer with parents, teachers, principals, team facilitators, and other parish professional staff whenever necessary on matters relate to assessment, behavioral interventions, exceptional children, learning styles, child development, recommended interventions, and other areas, within the expertise of the school psychologist
12. Participate in IEP/Placement meetings, when appropriate
13. Serve as a consultant for teachers and other personnel
14. Update current professional knowledge through attending workshops, professional development opportunities, and reading professional literature
15. Provide or assist in the provision of in-service training of school personnel in the areas of responsibility and expertise as appropriate
16. Cooperate with personnel of community health and social services agencies
17. Attend appropriate staff, professional, and interagency meetings
18. Perform other such duties and assume other responsibilities as assigned
19. Complete a personnel self-evaluation according to guidelines of the Natchitoches Parish Personnel Evaluation Plan
20. Develop a Professional Growth Plan according to local guidelines to strengthen or enhance job performance.

Personal Characteristics:
The School Psychologist's appearance and demeanor reveal a positive attitude and set appropriate models for colleagues and the communitiy as evidenced by the following:

1. Maintain a professional appearance - (as specified by the district/LEA Handbook)
2. Ability to work tactfully and harmoniously with staff, schools, students, agencies, parents/guardians, colleagues, and/or the public
3. Accept and support school/district administration decisions and/or directives
4. Demonstrate a good work ethic and professionalism
5. Demonstrate competency in the area of responsibility 
6. Ability to relate to and communicate with exceptional children in an accepting and non-biased manner
7. Ability to relate to and verbally communicate with all professional and non-professional contacts on the level of each individual's ability and level of understanding
8. Ability to effectively communicate in written reports and correspondence information relative to the individual case
9. Ability to plan and organize assigned duties in an efficient manner
10. Ability to treat all information in a confidential manner
11. Ability to maintain physical stamina and emotional stability to work effectively under pressure.

Other Requirements:
Adheres to the regulations, policies, and procedures established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the State Department of Education, and the local School Board as published in minutes, bulletins, and/or other official publications.