Title: School Psychologist, Bilingual Preferred

Reports to: Program Facilitator

Salary Schedule Range: Depends on Experience (Highest placement would be at Class III, Step 13 of the School Psychologist Salary Schedule. Annual stipends for a Master’s and Doctorate degrees.

Benefits: Eligible to participate in district health, vision, dental benefits, and term life insurance benefits.

Purpose of Position: Through a program of psychological services to eliminate, as completely as possible, all variables that prevent or interfere with a student's ability to learn, to enlarge the educational experience of students by promoting their sense of self, and facilitating their best possible adjustment to school.

Essential Functions:

Equity

Serve as the administrator for the educational program that delivers on the unique needs of a socio-economically, culturally, ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse student population.
Assist the principal in leading the area of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional prevention and intervention, and implement practices that ensure equitable outcomes for all students.
Assist the principal in leading, administering, and managing the campus with a focus on equity, accountability, student-centered approach, and culture and climate.
Assist with the implementation of practices that ensure equitable outcomes for all students.
Assist with professional learning that enhances the achievement of all students, particularly socio-economically, culturally, ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse student populations.
Ensure that fiscal resources are utilized in a way that addresses the needs of our most vulnerable learners, where actions and expenditures are supported by student outcome data.
Assist with carrying out school goals and objectives, in conjunction with all staff, parents, and the community, that prioritize all learners.

Accountablity

Uphold the Education Code, the Administrative Code of California and the policies and regulations of the Santa Barbara Unified School District.
Assist with continuous supervision and evaluation of the instructional program with a heavy emphasis on effective implementation of the program to meet the needs of a socio-economically, culturally, ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse student population.
Assist with the supervision and evaluation of classroom instruction and the implementation of student supports based on student achievement data.
Review the results of interventions to ensure that all students meet grade-level proficiencies.
Ensure that all employees support the achievement of all students, in particular, a heightened level of focus on socio-economically, culturally, ethnically, racially, and linguistically diverse student populations.
Act as the principal’s designee in the absence of the principal.

Student-Centered

Assist the principal in communicating the school’s program expectations to meet the needs of all segments of the community.
Coach teachers on how to provide students with opportunities to see their own background and experiences through the curriculum.
Lead with an emphasis on the individual needs of each student and family.
Assist in communicating important school information to all segments of the school community, including updating the master calendar, plans, schedules, and the annual registration packet.

Culture and Climate

Work closely with students, parents, and staff to establish and maintain high expectations for achievement and systematic supports using the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) so all students can achieve standards.
Assist in implementing family engagement programs and required school advisory committees (e.g., School Site Council, ELAC) aligned to the district’s Framework for Family Engagement and designed and planned with and in support of the needs of parents of various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Leads the implementation of the school’s student behavior policies and procedures with an emphasis on addressing the disproportionality of the system’s impact on specific student groups (i.e., students of color, students with disabilities, socio-economically disadvantaged).
Assume responsibility before, during, and after school hours for the health, safety, and welfare of all personnel (students and employees) assigned to the school.
Monitor and maintain the physical facility and surrounding grounds for the safety of staff and students
Attend meetings of the Emergency Response Team, School Site Council, English Learner Advisory Council, Environment Committee, School Leadership Team or any other advisory committees upon request.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Administer psycho-educational assessments and periodic re-evaluations of referred students as outlined by the student’s assessment plan; prepare written reports of assessment findings with diagnoses and specific recommendations.
Participate in IEP meetings as appropriate; facilitate teams as necessary to accomplish proper results.
Provide consultative support as a subject expert to teachers, administrators, parents and students for regular and special education programs; consult with administrators, teachers and parents regarding mental health issues/interventions, substance abuse, understanding cultures, and the evaluation of educational programs and progress of students through various testing programs; provide support to administrators and teachers regarding classroom environment/school climate, student behavior, child development, learning problems and strategies, family/peer relationships, general education program options, special education procedures and guidelines, and the Gifted and Talented program; participate in discussions regarding promotion/retention and acceleration issues; assist with staff development as appropriate.
Provide short-term counseling with referred students and families; assist with expulsions as referred.
Recommend alternative approaches or techniques to facilitate the attainment of goals and objectives for individual students, groups of students, classrooms, and schools.
Assists in systematically reassessing children with special educational needs as appropriate.
Assesses pupils for placement considerations in special programs.
Consults with school administrators concerning appropriate learning objectives for children.
Consults with teachers regarding the development and implementation of methods to facilitate students in overcoming learning and behavior disorders.
Consults with parents to assist in understanding the learning and adjustment processes of children.
Prepare and maintain confidential records and files.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
Assists in providing professional learning, in child development, and child management to parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals and paraprofessionals in assigned schools.
Assists in coordinating, communicating, and seeking consultation with community agencies as appropriate
Performs other duties as assigned by the appropriate administrator.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

Primarily inside work with little exposure to weather conditions.
Classroom environment during observances.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
Seeing to read a variety of documents.
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment.
Sitting and standing for extended periods of time.
Possible contact with hostile or abusive students or adults with unpredictable behaviors.

Abilities and Knowledge:

Knowledge of the principles, theories, practices, methods, and techniques used in school psychology.
Knowledge of culturally responsive practices.
Knowledge of Individual and group counseling techniques; Federal and State laws and regulations regarding special education; and applicable sections of the California Education Code.
Familiarity with appropriate referral agencies.
Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
Professional evaluations of the psychological, social, and educational needs of students.
Write and implement comprehensive Individual Educational Plans (IEP) for special education students.
Various testing techniques, materials, equipment, and instruments.
Effectively counsel with students and parents.
Work confidentially with discretion.
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
Work independently with little direction.
Maintain current knowledge of technological advances in the field.
Provide work direction and guidance to assigned personnel.
Maintain consistent, punctual, and regular attendance.

Desired Qualifications:

Any combination equivalent to: master’s degree in educational or clinical psychology, including at least one year of internship under the supervision of a credentialed school psychologist.
Bilingual (Spanish) skills

Required Qualifications:

Possess or be eligible to possess a current California Pupil Personnel Services credential, which authorizes school psychology.
Experience working with English Learners
Trained in alternative assessment techniques preferred.

The District reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.

Revised May 2021