Job Description

Title: School Psychologist
Location: Chicago, IL
Reports To: Principal and Director of Student Services
Salary: Starting at $64,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: August 2024

The mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.

Position Overview

A School Psychologist will work collaboratively with the student support team to assist in supporting the academic and emotional functioning of all students. A School Psychologist works in collaboration with teachers and staff in identifying the academic and behavioral needs of the students in order to provide the interventions necessary to ensure student success in all areas.

Responsibilities

Implementation

• Complete comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations in order to identify deficits and strengths in all areas which includes current social-emotional, academic achievement, adaptive, and cognitive functioning assessments
• Psycho-educational evaluation report writing that incorporates all current evaluative results, behavioral and classroom observational data, previous evaluative results, teacher summaries of student performance, and academic and behavioral recommendations to facilitate future educational planning and student success
• Assist in Crisis Intervention/Prevention practices within each school which includes preventative measures such as mental health screenings for possible social-emotional or behavioral issues and following the network protocol in cases of emergencies (i.e. school violence, deaths, and suicidal ideation)
• Attend all student problem-solving meetings in order to identify students at-risk for academic and social-emotional and/or behavioral difficulties; identify area(s) of need for each student (both academically and behaviorally) and assist in creation of an intervention plan for each student; reviews student academic or behavioral data in order to monitor progress
• Meet with students regularly to support those who are struggling with social-emotional and/or behavioral issues in order to improve their overall well-being and school functioning by providing mental health supports and practices
• Collaborate with teachers and staff to identify areas of need within the classroom and with individual students, provides academic or behavioral recommendations, supports, and strategies, and monitors progress of students
• Conduct classroom observations regularly to identify students who are struggling academically or behaviorally in order to provide academic and behavioral supports, recommendations, and strategies to teacher and staff
• Provide positive behavioral and classroom management support to teachers and staff by identifying evidenced-based practices and helping to implement these practices in the classroom in an on-going way

Communication

• Communicate with parents via in-person meetings, letters, and/or emails in an on-going way in order to discuss student progress and concerns in all areas of academics and social-emotional functioning
• Communicate and maintain relationships with outside mental health organizations that assist in fostering healthy student outcomes

Compliance

• Maintain a detailed and comprehensive weekly/daily schedule in order to meet all deadlines and responsibilities in an effective and efficient way
• Complete all pertinent IEP documentation in a timely manner (i.e. Psychological evaluation report, learning environment screenings, eligibility determination, and assessment summaries)
• Maintain accurate records (Maintain an inventory of materials, assessments, and supplies)
• Daily progress notes
• Weekly documentation of all services delivered
• Quarterly report of student achievement (IEP report cards)

Professional Responsibilities

• Attend special education domain meetings in order to identify areas of need and review evaluative process for parents and staff (i.e. review cognitive, social-emotional, and academic achievement assessment process)
• Attend pertinent district trainings in order to keep up-to-date on current practices, procedures, and policies in regard to student services and specific clinician domains
• Continue membership in professional School Psychologist organizations (State School Psychologists Association/National Association of School Psychologists) in order to keep up-to-date on current practices, procedures, and policies in the area of school psychology as well as network with colleagues
• Attend all IEP (Initial and 3 year reevaluation) meetings in order to review psychoeducational evaluation results, reports, and recommendations with parents, teachers, and staff as well as determine eligibility for special education resource services
• Provide professional development opportunities to teachers and staff on evidence-based practices in social-emotional learning, behavioral and academic supports and interventions

Requirements (minimum)

Education: Master's in Psychology

Qualifications:

• Completion of a NASP approved School Psychology program
• Valid State of Illinois School Service Personnel Certificate with an Endorsement School Psychology

Physical demands: Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing. Operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment.

Benefits

• 25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191

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