Job Summary:The School Psychologist supports the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs of students across the school community. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the School Psychologist conducts comprehensive evaluations and assessments, provides consultation and direct services, supports intervention planning, and helps teams understand and respond to student needs.
The School Psychologist collaborates with students, families, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to develop effective academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports. This role also supports MTSS, functional behavioral assessments, progress monitoring, crisis intervention, and the development and implementation of special education services. The School Psychologist is responsible for maintaining compliance with applicable federal and Pennsylvania laws and regulations while promoting positive outcomes for students with and without disabilities.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:- Contribute to an integrated and effective program of pupil services as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Promote understanding of child development and developmental expectations to support student learning and achievement, appropriate behavior, and social functioning.
- Conduct and/or participate in comprehensive psychological and educational evaluations, reevaluations, and other assessments to assist in determining student strengths, needs, eligibility, and appropriate educational programming
- Administer, score, and interpret psychological, cognitive, academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and other assessment instruments in accordance with professional standards and applicable laws and regulations
- Collect and interpret student-relevant data to assist school teams in identifying the nature of exceptionality and/or disability, as outlined in the PA School Code
- Identify, analyze, and verify significant behavioral patterns and atypical behaviors through the completion of Functional Behavioral Assessments to determine the function of behavior and inform the development of appropriate behavioral interventions and supports
- Make prescriptive recommendations for short- and long-term remedial, instructional, behavioral, and environmental modifications to support student success
- Identify learning and processing traits in individual students which can be used to design effective academic and behavioral interventions and promote increased student achievement
- Provide consultation to teachers, parents/guardians, and students regarding the educational, behavioral, social-emotional, and developmental needs of students receiving special education or disability-related services
- Provide consultation and direct services which promote social-emotional function and learning for students with and without disabilities
- Provide consultation and direct service on behalf of at-risk students requiring primary prevention programs and crisis intervention services.
- Use data, progress monitoring, and ongoing assessment information to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and services and make recommendations for instructional, behavioral, and social-emotional supports
- Provide consultation and support to school teams implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), including the identification of student needs, selection and implementation of evidence-based interventions, progress monitoring, and data-based decision-making
- Assist in ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and requirements governing special education and related services, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable Pennsylvania laws and regulations
- Support school teams in the development, implementation, review, and revision of special education documentation
- Maintain knowledge of and support compliance with procedural safeguards, parent/guardian participation and notification requirements, timelines, confidentiality requirements, and other procedural requirements related to special education
Required Qualifications:- Master's degree or higher in School Psychology
- Valid Pennsylvania School Psychologist certification
- Deep knowledge of federal and Pennsylvania Special Education Regulations
- Competence in improving academic achievement, promoting positive behavior and mental health services, supporting diverse learners, and strengthening home-school collaboration
- Ability to function independently and direct daily activities to meet deadlines and expectations
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience working in an urban educational setting or school.
- Experience with special education processes, including IEP meetings, documentation, initial referrals, and evaluation procedures.
- Experience supporting MTSS, academic and behavioral interventions, positive behavior supports, and social-emotional programming.
- Experience promoting academic achievement, positive behavior, mental health, and home-school collaboration in support of diverse learners.
Benefits Offered:- Compensation: Propel provides a competitive salary for teachers. Based on relevant prior work experience, our salary range for this role is $61,206 - $102,358 (year 4, Group G of salary scale)
- Relocation Allowance: A relocation allowance for new hires moving to the area from 90 miles away or further.
- Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plan options at a low cost for individual employees and families.
- Retirement: New hires participate in a 403(b); Propel contributes 5% automatically and matches up to 4%. This increases after 5 years.
- Paid Leave: In addition to 2 paid Wellness Days annually, all year-round staff receive 5 sick days, 10 Personal Days, and accrue vacation days.
- Tuition Assistance: Reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually upon completion of course and receipt of grades for coursework that meets our eligibility requirements.
- Wellness Benefit: Reimbursement of $20 per month for wellness activities including Gym Memberships, health programs, etc. Additionally, staff have the ability to earn up to $300 for participation in a Wellness Program each year.
- Professional Development: At Propel, we believe in supporting teacher growth and provide substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support for teachers, including an extensive onboarding process called Induction for new teachers with on-going annual support during the school year called Immersion. All teachers receive 11.5 network-wide Professional Development days annually in addition to school-specific Professional Development.
- Leadership & Career Development: Leadership opportunities are extensive at Propel, both in and outside of the classroom. Staff have the opportunity to apply for Leadership Pathways as content, grade level or other school-based support roles which allow for experience in many different areas including Content, Wellness, Technology and more.
Essential Mindsets - Own It. Our teachers are instructional experts who hold high expectations for themselves and their scholars. We work hard, set goals, and take responsibility for our scholars learning.
- Walk Through the Door. Our teachers are professional with their scholars, families, and colleagues. We show up on time with a positive mindset and never give up on what's possible for our scholars.
- Look in the Mirror. Our teachers value feedback and work to continuously improve for our scholars. Our staff is accountable, dedicated and honest.
- Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated. Our teachers are culturally competent. In all interactions they are courteous, engaged and empathetic.
- Do Your Part. Our teachers are relationship builders. We make connections with our scholars, our families, our colleagues and our community and realize that education is a team effort.
Physical Demands:- Must be able to walk around the classroom at least 75% of the time while engaging with scholars.
- The person in this position constantly operates a computer and other technology in the classroom to support instruction.
- The person in this position frequently communicates with various internal and external stakeholders regarding curriculum, instruction and assessment. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
- When deemed age and/or developmentally appropriate, assist students in daily personal tasks (i.e.-tying shoes, assisting with coats, escorting to busses, and etc.)
Disclaimer:This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
