Position Title: School Psychologist
Department: Instructional
Reports to: Principal/Vice President(s) of Inclusive Education
Status: Exempt, Full Time, 12 month (year round) role
ABOUT BRIGHT STAR SCHOOLS: Bright Star Schools is a premier charter management organization, operating 9 public schools in Los Angeles. Since 2003, Bright Star Schools has been offering a high-quality public education that incorporates unique and innovative programs, aiming for all of our students to be prepared for college and life. Our mission is to provide holistic, inclusive support for all students to achieve academic excellence and grow their unique talents so that they find joy and fulfillment in higher education, career, and life.
MAIN FUNCTION: Provides services to children grades K-12, including screening and assessment, individual and group counseling, and work with outside agencies as appropriate. Functions as a member of the Individualized Education Program team to determine student’s eligibility for special services, appropriate programming, and on-going progress.
Deliver academic interventions and DIS Counseling as needed for various students, assess students to determine present performance levels, learning styles, area of special education eligibility, if applicable design transition plans along with Individualized Education Programs, and collaborate with general and special education colleagues to supply enriched-academic programs that meet the needs of various students with learning disabilities.
Responsibilities:
- Provide both individual and group services to children that work towards improving academic and, or behavioral performance.
- Coordinate and conduct assessments for all referred students and assures legal and timely completion
- Interpret and analyze test results
- Make behavioral observations in the classroom and other settings
- Screen and evaluate referred children including selecting appropriate instruments, administering tests, observations, and writing reports which state the evaluation findings and provide for educational program recommendations.
- Collaborate with all school staff regarding RtI implementation, Student Success Teams, Suicide Prevention and Bright Star Crisis planning.
- Consult with parents, teachers, and other staff regarding any accommodations/modifications needed for a specific child including resolving students’ learning and behavioral needs.
- Attends team Professional Learning Community meetings and discusses student cases, plans with team members around initial, triennial and high profile assessments. Ensures that teams are coordinating assessment efforts to ensure timely completion of all assessments and IEP meeting timelines.
- Participate as a member of the IEP team, contributing evaluation findings and collaborating with all members of the team to develop education plans.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of academic programs, behavior management procedures and other services provided in a school setting.
- Consult with parents to assist in understanding the learning and adjustment processes of students.
- Provide community resources to students and parents when deemed appropriate
- Provide home visits when necessary and appropriate.
- Consults with community agencies such as probation departments, mental health, and welfare departments concerning pupils who are being served by such community agencies.
- May be asked to act as Administrative designee at IEP meetings when not serving as School Psychologist
- Establish and monitor necessary caseloads, work with schools and other staff to plan assessments and meetings.
- Submit records, reports, and assignments promptly and efficiently.
- Maintain test records of students assessed
- Provide DIS counseling, maintain notes and service records, and track services on Welligent on weekly basis
- Submit weekly action plans which highlight site location per day, student counseling sessions per day, and assigned assessments per week. All compliance tasks and related projects must be reported to school site and Inclusive Education admin on a weekly basis
- Participate in Inclusive Education Leadership monthly meetings and Inclusive Education quarterly retreats
- Plan and implement professional development opportunities for staff and parents
- Perform other related duties assigned
School Psychologist Traits:
- Belief that every child is deserving an excellent education which prepares him/her for college and life beyond
- Life--‐long learner
- Belief in data--‐driven instruction, strategic planning, and or weekly action plans
- Firm, kind approach to managing student behavior and belief in restorative justice
- Technologically competent
- Entrepreneurial spirit and creative problem solver
- Sense of humor, passion for inclusion and love of education
Qualifications:
- Master's degree required.
- Possess or be eligible to possess a valid California Pupil Personnel Service credential authorizing service as a School Psychologist.
- Must have passed CBEST
- Knowledge of current and appropriate assessment tools, counseling techniques and behavioral and classroom management programs
- Ability to work cooperatively with support services, including all special services and other school and district office personnel
- Possession of a valid California State driver’s license
- Bilingual and biliterate in Spanish or Korean strongly preferred.
- Solid knowledge of state and federal special education rules and regulations.
- 3+ years of experience as school psychologist preferred; 1+ year of classroom experience required
Ability to:
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with school staff, families and members of other professional disciplines
- Organize and manage a caseload at multiple school sites
- Recognize a potential crisis and deliver appropriate crisis intervention services
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Maintain current knowledge of program rules, policies, regulations, requirements and restrictions
- Accurately read, interpret, apply and explain regulations, policies and procedures to others
- Be observant, emotionally stable, mature and deal effectively with others.
- Operate a computer and be proficient with such programs as Welligent, Google docs/sheets, Excel, Powerpoint
- Work well under pressure and maintain confidentiality, as appropriate for the position
- Utilize strong organizational skills including maintaining accurate records and effectively developing and maintaining a database
- Ability to write legally defensible psycho-educational assessment reports
- Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written)
- Have experience with or eagerness to counsel students on academic, social, and career areas.
- Computer proficient; highly organized, ability to work with Microsoft word and outlook.
- Knowledge of effective practices for providing psych services to students in school settings.
- Laws, rules and regulations related to the provision of psychological services to children in a school setting
- Diversity within urban education within Los Angeles, including academic, socio-economic, cultural, disability and ethnicity backgrounds of students
- Child development, behavioral change, individual education programming, counseling and assessment techniques
- Operate a motor vehicle
Salary/Benefits
Salary: Based on experience and education
Status: Full Time, Exempt
Location: Stella Elementary Charter Academy - West Los Angeles, CA
Benefits: Health, dental, vision, life insurance, personal time off (PTO), 403b Sponsored Plan, Disability Insurance, Paid Holidays, mileage reimbursement.
