School Psychologist (Child Study Team Case Manager)

Pleasantville Public Schools
Pleasantville, New Jersey
Job Description                                                                                                                                                                             

Special Services

TITLE: SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Hold a New Jersey Educational Services Certificate with a School Psychologist Endorsement in accordance with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 18A:27.1 et seq., and N.J.A.C. Title 6 Chapter 11.
2. Minimum experience as determined by the board.
3. Knowledge of laws and regulations governing special education and demonstrated ability to effectively provide testing, psychological evaluation and counseling services.
4. Exhibit positive interpersonal skills to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community.
5. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
6. Current residency in New Jersey, approved residency waiver or candidate agrees to obtain residency within one year of employment
7. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and concisely in English, both orally and in writing, using proper grammar and vocabulary.
8. Have excellent integrity and demonstrate good moral character and initiative. Demonstrate the ability to use electronic equipment for work processing, data management, information retrieval, visual presentations, and telecommunications.
9. Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status by completing Federal Form I-9 in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
10. Provide evidence that a criminal record history check has been conducted and clearance has been given by the Department of Education. During the initial six month period provide a sworn statement that the individual has not been convicted of a crime or a disorderly person’s offense in accordance with 18A:6- 7.1.
11. Provide evidence that health is adequate to fulfill the job functions and responsibilities with reasonable accommodation pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 12101 and in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6:3-4A.4
12. Pass the state required Mantoux Intradermal Tuberculin Test as required by N.J.A.C. 6:3-4A.4.
13. Meet such alternates to the above qualifications, as the Superintendent may deem appropriate, acceptable and legal

.REPORTS TO: Director of Special Services

JOB GOAL:                              
Provide a full range of psychological services for students. Responsibilities include serving as a member of the Child Study Team, conducting psychological examinations and evaluations to determine the learning needs of students, providing leadership inpromoting an understanding of positive mental health and the needs of the children, consulting with the instructional staff in adjusting programs and health and the needs of children, consulting with the instructional staff in adjusting programs and experiences to enhance learning of the Content Standards, counseling individuals and groups, and working with all whose responsibilities focus on the educational, social, and emotional wellbeing of children.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participates in the evaluation, classification and placement of all pupils with special needs.
2. Administers, scores and evaluates standard psychological tests for the purpose of assessing the intellectual, educational, emotional, social and behavioral characteristics of those students referred.
3. Interprets the results of psychological testing and assists in the development and coordination of an appropriate individualized education plan for each pupil requiring special education and/or related services and participates in the ongoing evaluation of the academic progress and educational placement of classified pupils.
4. Serves as a case manager as assigned and maintains appropriate case records.
5. Provides psychological counseling to students, parents and staff and, as needed, makes referrals to appropriate community resources.
6. Assists in the development and delivery of inservice programs and parent seminars.
7. Keeps the staff and community informed of the schools' psychological services.
8. Maintains professional competence through continuing education and other professional growth activities.
9. Observes pupils in classrooms and other school settings.
10. Serves as a consultant to parents, school personnel and community groups on child development and mental health topics.
11. Cooperates with personnel of community health and social welfare agencies.
12. Performs all duties required as a member of the child study team by administrative code, state and federal laws and board policy.
13. Performs other related duties as may be assigned by the superintendent or special services director.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, while performing this job the staff member shall:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

1. Use strength to lift items needed to perform the functions of the job.
2. Sit, stand and walk for required periods of time.
3. Speak and hear.
4. Use close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception along with the ability to focus vision.
5. Communicate effectively in English, using proper grammar and vocabulary. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
6. Reach with hands and arms and use hands and fingers to handle objects and operate tools, computers, and/or controls.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
The environmental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive.

1. Exposure to a variety of childhood and adult diseases and illnesses.
2. Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions.
3. Exposure to heated/air conditioned and ventilated facilities.
4. Exposure to a building in which a variety of chemical substances are used for cleaning, instruction, and/or operation of equipment.
5. Function in a workplace that is usually moderately quiet but that can be noisy at times.

?TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 10-month employee, salary and work year as set by the PEA Contract.

Annual evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually in accordance with NJ State law and the provisions of the board’s policy on evaluations 

Approved by: Pleasantville BOE
Revised: 

Date:

Legal References:
 N.J.S.A. 18A:6-7.1                                  Criminal history record; employee in regular contact with pupils; grounds for         disqualification from employment; exception
N.J.S.A. 18A:16-1                                   Officers and employees
N.J.S.A. 18A:26-1                                   Citizenship of teachers, etc.
N.J.S.A. 18A:26-2                                   Certificates required; exception
N.J.S.A. 18A:28-3                                   No tenure for noncitizens
N.J.S.A. 18A:28-8                                   Notice of intention to resign required
N.J.S.A. 18A:46                                       Classes and facilities for handicapped children
N.J.S.A. 18A:46-5.1                                Basic child study team services; provision by boards of education and state           operated programs
N.J.A.C.. 6A:7                                         Managing equality and equity in education 
N.J.A.C.. 6A:9-3.3                                   Professional standards for teachers 
N.J.A.C.. 6A:9B-5                                    General certification policies
N.J.A.C.. 6A:9B-12.9                               School psychologist
N.J.A.C. 6A:10                                        Educator effectiveness 
N.J.A.C. 6A:10-2.1 et seq.                      Evaluation of teaching staff members
N.J.A.C. 6A:10-6.1 et seq.                      Evaluation of teaching staff members other than teachers, principals, vice 
N.J.A.C.. 6A:14                                       Special education
N.J.A.C.. 6A:32-4                                    Employment of teaching staff
N.J.A.C.. 6A:32-6                                    School employee physical examinations
N.J.A.C.. 6A:32-8                                    Attendance and pupil accounting


N.J.A.C.. 6A:32-7                                    Student records
N.J.A.C.. 6A:32-5.1                                 Standards for determining seniority
N.J.A.C.. 6A:16                                       Programs to support student development
                                                                principals and assistant principals
N.J.A.C. 6A:10-4.1 et seq.                      Components of teacher evaluation
See particularly:
N.J.A.C.. 6A:9C-3                                   Required professional development for teachers and school leaders
N.J.A.C.. 6A:9B-9                                    Requirements for educational services certificate
See particularly:
N.J.A.C. 6A:9B                                        State board of examiners and certification
See particularly:
N.J.A.C.. 6A:9                                         Professional licensure and standards
N.J.S.A. 18A:46-11                                 Psychological and other examinations
See particularly:                               
N.J.S.A. 18A:40A                                    Substance abuse
N.J.S.A. 18A:28-5                                   Tenure of teaching staff members
N.J.S.A. 18A:27                                       Employment and contracts     
N.J.S.A. 18A:26-1.1                                Residence requirements prohibited
N.J.S.A. 18A:16-2                                   Physical examinations; requirement
N.J.S.A. 18A:6-10                                   Dismissal and reduction in compensation of persons under tenure in public  school system
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.                            Law Against Discrimination

Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 8 
U.S.C.A. 1100 et seq.No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, P. L. 107-110, 20 
U.S.C.A. 6301 et seq. Honig v. Doe, 484 U.S. 305 (1988) 
Oberti v. Board of Education of Clementon School District, 995 F.2d 1204, 1216-17 (3d Cir. 1993)
Agostini v. Felton, 65 U.S.L.W. 4524 (1997), overruling Aguilar v. Felton, 473 U.S. 402 (1985)
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq