School Psychologist
Portage Public Schools - TBD
Full-Time
Per PEA Contract
2024-25 School Year

Job Summary:

School Psychologists serve a dual role that includes providing evaluation and consultation services for students in need of special education programs, as well as providing leadership in assigned buildings in implementing and sustaining multi-tiered systems of support to improve outcomes for all students. School psychologists assist professionals and parents in meeting the educational, social, emotional, behavioral and mental health needs of children and adolescents.

Responsibilities:

Evaluation:
- Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments and interpret results with appropriate professionals as outlined in Michigan Rules and Regulations.
- Conduct functional behavioral assessments relevant to the presenting problem and student characteristics.
- Serve in a leadership role on interdisciplinary teams that determine initial special-education eligibility, conduct reevaluations, and create educational plans for students who require special education programs and services.
- Work with school teams and administrators to establish data collection, analysis, evaluation and reporting processes.
Leadership:
- Coordinate and/or participate in special-education eligibility meetings, IEP meetings and multidisciplinary manifestation review meetings.
- Provide support, instruction and technical assistance in the ongoing monitoring of progress based on measurable, identified goals for students at individual, group or system level.
- Facilitate best practices in participation on building teams and/or professional learning communities, e.g., building leadership teams, building intervention monitoring teams and student-assistance teams.
- Serve in a leadership role on student assistance teams.
- Participate in district and/or county leadership team meetings and state related initiatives as assigned.
Student Support:
- Facilitate Cognitive Behavior Therapy small-group sessions for students.
- Facilitate awareness activities that assist families and outside agencies in understanding services and anticipated outcomes of services.
- Respond to crisis situations in partnership with colleagues and community personnel.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
- Coordinate the district MTSS systems at the district and building level
- Collaborate with administrators and school-based leadership teams to plan, to organize and to facilitate ongoing MTSS activities designed to improve academic and behavioral outcomes for students.
- Collaborate with staff and parents in the development of effective behavioral- and academic-intervention plans to improve student outcomes.
- Coordinate with building personnel who provide individual, group or system-level interventions to improve or to resolve identified concerns including academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and mental-health needs as they relate to educational progress.
- Promote and support family involvement in the MTSS process.
- Participate and provide leadership in continuous improvement in the district.
Commute between school-related functions, community agencies, student homes and district schools.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Regular and consistent attendance.
Must have knowledge of and comply with the policies and procedures contained in the Portage Public Schools Employee Handbook.

The above duties and responsibilities are intended to be representative of the nature of the work by this position. The listing is not all-inclusive.

Qualifications:

Ed.S. degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent from an approved program in school psychology or be otherwise qualified for DOE licensure from the State of Michigan.
Meet requirements for full/temporary approval as a School Psychologist.
Two or more years’ experience working with MTSS systems preferred.
Valid driver’s license if needed.
Excellent knowledge of special education laws and regulations.
Extensive understanding of best practices in educational assessment.
Compliance with legal requirements and ethical codes of the profession and the district.
Demonstration of cultural competence and behaviors consistent with the core values, visions and the mission of the district and the Southern Service Area of KRESA.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, district staff and the public.
Regular and routine engagement in professional growth activities including, but not limited to, continuous inquiry, personal/professional development practices, application and sharing of research-based practices and best practices in education.
Ability to assume responsibility, display initiative, and exercise good judgment.
Proficient computer and document skills i.e. Excel and Google Applications.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please apply online at https://www.portageps.org/page/employment-at-pps

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Notice of Non-Discrimination: The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. The following positions at Portage Public Schools have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Human Resources Director Brad Galin and Human Resources Manager Jennifer Tuyls. Contact information: 269-323-5000, 8107 Mustang Drive, Portage, Mi 49002

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