Duties
Position/Role Summary:
The School Psychologist supports the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health needs of students within NTDSE programming. Students served within NTDSE programs present with a range of social-emotional, behavioral, and learning needs across satellite and therapeutic educational environments.
The School Psychologist provides services through comprehensive evaluation, consultation, intervention, and systems-level collaboration. The role includes supporting teams in implementing evidence-based practices, developing individualized supports, and partnering with families and community providers to ensure students benefit from their educational experiences.
The School Psychologist serves as a key member of multidisciplinary teams, contributing expertise in learning, behavior, mental health, and data-based decision making.
Intervention & Mental Health Supports
- Develop and implement evidence-based academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions that enable students to benefit from their educational experiences.
- Provide individual and/or group counseling services to support student social-emotional development and behavioral functioning.
- Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) and collaborate with teams to develop and monitor Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
- Monitor intervention effectiveness through data collection and progress monitoring.
- Support the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks.
- Provide consultation and coaching to staff on behavioral strategies, classroom supports, and trauma-informed practices.
- Respond to Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) calls and provide on-site behavioral crisis intervention and de-escalation support.
- Participate in risk assessments and safety planning when concerns arise regarding student safety.
Assessment and Data-Based Decision Making
- Leadership and participation in program Problem-Solving Teams to support the development of positive behavior supports and academic intervention plans.
- Complete the necessary portions of the case study evaluation through the use of data-based decision-making.
- Collaborate with the educational team in the decision-making process for the determination of eligibility, continuation of eligibility, or discontinuation of eligibility.
- Conduct comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations assessing cognitive, academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and adaptive functioning.
- Interpret assessment results and communicate findings clearly to parents, educators, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Assist teams in developing data-driven IEP goals and recommendations based on assessment results.
- Participate in re-evaluations and eligibility determinations in accordance with IDEA and state regulations as an integral member of the multidisciplinary educational team.
- Utilize progress monitoring tools and data analysis to guide instructional and behavioral decision-making.
Consultation and Collaboration
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, related service providers, and support staff to address student learning and behavioral needs.
- Provide consultation on instructional strategies, classroom management, and behavioral supports.
- Participate in problem-solving teams and multidisciplinary team meetings to develop and implement effective interventions.
- Consult with district-wide parochial/private schools and, when deemed necessary, conduct initial case study evaluations.
Family Engagement and Resource Coordination
- Partner with families to identify social, emotional, behavioral, and environmental factors that impact student success.
- Support families in accessing community-based services and governmental resources, including developmental disability services, mental health providers, and other support agencies.
- Assist families in navigating systems such as PUNS (Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services) and other state or local support programs when applicable.
- Provide consultation, guidance, and resource coordination to ensure families are connected to appropriate supports within and outside the school setting.
- When appropriate, collaborate with families through home visits or community-based meetings to strengthen partnerships and ensure continuity of services between home, school, and outside providers.
- Serve as a member of the Family Engagement Committee, helping plan and deliver parent education opportunities and resources that strengthen connections between home, school, and community supports.
Systems-Level Support
- Contribute to developing a positive school climate and mental health initiatives across NTDSE programs.
- Analyze program-level data to support continuous improvement of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional programming, improving student outcomes and service delivery.
- Support implementation and evaluation of MTSS, CHAMPS, and other preventative frameworks.
Professional Development
- NTDSE encourages continual professional development as a means for school psychologists to stay current with assessment methodologies, school law, IDEA, legal provisions, trends in special education services, and research.
Communication Skills
- Communicates in an effective, team-oriented, culturally responsive, and positive manner with students, colleagues, and families.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships with students, families, staff, and community partners.
- Serves as a positive ambassador for NTDSE.
Ethical and Professional Practice
- Adhere to NASP ethical standards and professional practice guidelines.
- Act as a mandated reporter and communicate any concerns related to child endangerment, neglect, or abuse to the appropriate authorities.
- Maintain accurate documentation and records of services provided.
- Maintain the confidentiality of student information in accordance with federal and state regulations.
- Foster strong relationships among educators, students, families, and community providers.
- Demonstrates knowledge of first aid, health protocols, and emergency response procedures.
- Participates in professional learning, mentoring programs, and collaborative team meetings.
Salary/Benefits
Per the Niles Township Federation of Special Education Educators and Support Staff Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Additional Notes
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
This position requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with reasonable accommodations available as needed. Regular activities include standing, walking, sitting, bending, writing, typing, speaking, and listening, with occasional reaching, twisting, or climbing, and the ability to maintain close, peripheral, and distant vision.
Work occurs in a variety of educational and office settings, including classrooms, therapy spaces, and administrative offices. The role may involve light lifting, use of standard office equipment and technology, frequent interaction with staff and students, and occasional travel between NTDSE programs and participating districts. This description complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and may be reviewed as program needs evolve.