Job Title: Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) Wage/Status: Exempt

Department: Special Education Date Revised: April 2025

Reports to:

The primary function of the Licensed Specialist in School Psychology is to perform professional psychological work in assessment, behavior management, and counseling for students with emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Assess the psychological and psycho-educational needs of students referred to special education services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

• Master’s degree in psychology from an accredited college or university
• Valid Texas license as a licensed specialist in school psychology (LSSP) or Trainee Status Letter issued by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists**

Experience:

• One (1) year experience providing psychology services in an educational setting.
• Must be legally able to work in the United States.
• Must complete the state-required fingerprinting and criminal background check.
• Must comply with TEA regulations, applicable federal, state, and local laws, school policies, and standards of the Professional Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of procedures for assessing achievement and intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning for educational purposes
• Knowledge of prevention and intervention strategies, including behavior management interventions
• Knowledge of psycho-social development
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

Assessment

• Select and administer assessments and observations to evaluate the intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning of referred students. Determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and state regulations.
• Develop psychological evaluation reports
• Conduct functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and create behavioral intervention plans (BIPs).
• Conduct or participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with appropriate placement and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
• May serve as case manager and implement the special education assessment process for students on assigned campuses.

Consultation

• Meet with parents to discuss pertinent background information and test results. Conduct group, individual, and family counseling sessions and facilitative therapy for students with diagnosed problems.
• Consult with teachers and relevant staff concerning the educational needs of students, interpretation of assessment data, and implementation of behavior intervention plans in managing disruptive students.
• Consult with psychologists, psychiatrists, medical doctors, and community agencies concerning intellectual, emotional, and behavioral functioning of students as needed.
• Present staff development training in assigned schools to enable school personnel to identify and work more effectively with students with emotional, social, and behavioral disturbances.

Program Management

• Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of psychological services and assessment procedures and make changes based on findings.
• Participate in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required, including case records, test results, statistical data, and test inventories.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local board policy. Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
• May provide clinical supervision to intern or trainee.***
• Develop and implement individualized support plans for students with behavioral, emotional, or academic difficulties.
• Provide direct and indirect counseling services to students experiencing behavioral, emotional, or academic difficulties.
• Assist in the development of social-emotional learning (SEL) programs.
• Support teachers in implementing classroom management strategies and positive behavior supports.
• Provide professional development and training on behavior management, mental health, crisis intervention, and special education regulations.

Other

• Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including IDEA and Section 504.
• Advocate for student mental health needs within the school system

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

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

Tools/Equipment Used: Personal computer and peripherals; standard instructional equipment.

Posture: Prolonged sitting; Frequent standing, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting

Motion: Frequent walking; repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding, and use of mouse; occasional reaching.

Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds), occasional heaving lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities; controlling behavior through physical restraint; assisting non-ambulatory students

Environment: Work inside, may work outside.

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours.

**An individual who has completed an internship, applied for a license, and been approved by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBEP) will be issued a Trainee Status Letter and will maintain this status for a maximum of one calendar year until he or she passes the Jurisprudence Exam. A trainee must be under the supervision of an LSSP until licensure is confirmed by TSBEP in writing.

*** An LSSP must have a minimum of three years of experience providing psychological services in the public school to supervise an intern or trainee.

DISCLAIMER

This position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.