School Psychologist Role

This position reports to the Pupil Services Division and school principal in a midsize urban school district located in the Capital region of Upstate New York. The School Psychologist will work with teachers, parents, and school leaders to develop plans and strategies to improve students’ academic performance and social emotional development. School Psychologist will possess the competencies necessary for serving the psychological and educational needs of children, adolescents and families.  School Psychologist will be a change agent for the district and assigned school. This position requires a high degree of culturally responsiveness, knowledge on the educational impacts of trauma and creativity when it comes to addressing the needs of students.

School Psychologist Expectations

• Assessment:  Administering psychological and educational assessments; 
• Consultative Skills:  Working with teachers, staff, and students to develop behavior plans;
• Intervention design and evaluation of programs to intervene both directly and indirectly with children's academic, behavioral, and emotional problems;
• Understanding of culturally diverse children, parents, teachers, and school personnel;
• Providing assessment and intervention solutions as part of their role as facilitator of the school-based support team;
• Demonstrate knowledge of special education regulations, processes, and procedures;

School Psychologist Key Qualities

• Able to be empathetic by caring, understanding, and cultivating an empowering environment for all students;
• Demonstrates patience with serious issues, students and families;
• Able to be dependable in ways that develop trust with students;
• Able to implement an organizational system to support both case management and student needs simultaneously;
• Being able to observe with skill and listen closely;
• Being able to make impartial informed decisions on behalf of students and families;
• Ability to be persistent and resilient when dealing with setbacks;
• Willing to be flexible and multitask as needed on demand;
• Ability to use a culturally responsive approach to develop relationships and execute interventions with fidelity; 
• Willingness to learn, in order to be relatable, flexible, personable and adaptable;
• Engages in continuous self-care.

School Counselor Role

 School counselors are advocates who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement while serving the needs of a diverse student population. In collaboration with all educators, families and the community, school counselors create a support system through individual and small-group counseling, responsive services and leadership. As a result of the school counselor, students will acquire skills and knowledge for college and career readiness and become civically minded members of society. 

The successful candidate possesses:

• Knowledge of Common Core Learning Standards and College and Career Readiness skills;
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff members, and administrators;
• Ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, parents and the community;
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills;
• Strong foundation in the principles of anti-racism, trauma-sensitivity, and culturally-responsive education.
• Takes a strengths-based, advocacy approach to working with students and families;
• Strives to grow and learn in a team-oriented, collaborative environment. 
• NYS School Counselor Certification

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Developing/implementing a comprehensive school counseling program in collaboration with other school counselors.
• Working with students individually and in groups. 
• Participation in the CSE process as appropriate;
• Assisting students with personal goal setting, action planning, and progress-monitoring
• Providing support in pathways for college and/or career readiness, and long-term post-secondary planning.
• Providing responsive services to include individual and small group counseling, and comprehensive Tier 1 programs and interventions.

• Consultation and collaboration with teachers, staff and parents/guardians; referrals to and consultation with outside service providers and community resources.
• Serving as a member of the School Based Support Team, Committee on Special Education, 504 Committee, Cohort Team, and other groups as appropriate.
• Providing classroom guidance instruction to students in several areas to include college and career readiness, study and organizational skills, self-awareness and identity development, and social/emotional learning.
• Assisting administrators with mediating student conflicts and partnering with parents and other stakeholders to identify barriers to learning, and design personalized interventions.