ANTICIPATED OPENING:

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST/ SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT/ SOCIAL WORKER or SCHOOL COUNSELOR - LINCOLN 5-8 - 2025-2026

Primary Purpose

To support and advise students, staff and parents regarding emotional, behavioral, and academic growth of students, grades 5-8 and to evaluate students for educational related needs as well as, provide general and special education counseling and intervention services and processes

Contractual Relationship

As per contract between Lincoln School Committee and the Lincoln Educators Association

Organizational Relationship

Reports to the Administrator for Student Services, Coordinator of Student Services and Principal

Duties and Responsibilities

• Consultation
• Advise and assist teachers, other professionals and parents regarding student learning profiles, accommodations and modifications to manage challenging student situations and to facilitate appropriate behavior and learning.
• Promote appreciation and support for human diversity with all educators and provide support and resources as needed on providing access to education and inclusion for all students.
• Communicates to teachers, parents and administrators an understanding of child development and what constitutes typical and atypical behavior and assists teachers and others understand the impact of socio-cultural factors as they pertain to student performance in school to maximize student learning
• Assist families with identifying supports and strategies to address challenges presented by students with serious emotional disabilities and consult with parents, outside service providers and state agencies to facilitate strong home/ school/ community collaboration.
• Facilitates Instructional Support Teams, upon Principal’s request, focusing on social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of students under the direction of the principal and participates in grade level team meetings as needed.
• Serves on Special Education Teams to determine eligibility, services, placement, and writes reports, IEP goals and progress reports as assigned. May also serve as a special education liaison when assigned by Student Services Coordinator.
• Advise administrators on matters relating to student behavior and safety.
• Consults with parents/guardians, administrators, classroom teachers, special educators, paraprofessionals and other staff regarding students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs in language understandable to each audience
• Conducts home visits as needed
• Observes in classrooms to help teachers to develop, implement and evaluate a dynamic plan for improving challenging classroom behaviors
• Develops Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and works with school personnel and parents to help them understand and monitor effectiveness
• Shares critical information with building administrators concerning children and families about whom concerns have been expressed
• Provides training and conducts teacher and/or parent groups as appropriate
• Works with principals to inform staff of mandated reporting law and facilitates 51A filing and serves as member of the safety care and threat assessment team.
• Serves as a member of the student services department and participates in department activities, e.g., department meetings, trainings, etc.
• Serves as building based Section 504 coordinator as assigned by building principals
• Assessment, Counseling and Intervention
• Conducts short and long-term individual, whole classroom and small group counseling, intervention and/or instruction and provides short-term or crisis counseling for “at risk” students.
• Administer psychological, social and emotional, and educational assessments, then interpret data and assist with determining the disability status of students after writing comprehensive reports and making recommendations to enhance student’s educational experience.
• Works with students with disabilities, their parents, and peers to help effectively address the special education needs of students
• Completes family and developmental histories, conducts observations and assigned formal and informal psycho-social evaluations
• Engages in crisis intervention as requested or as needed presents with proper follow up and documentation and advises administrators regarding intervention plans and related issues.
• Acts proactively to improve outcomes for students when they or their families appear to be at risk.
• Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments and support staff with the development of Behavioral Intervention Plans as necessary.
• Participate on TEAM Evaluation and Section 504 Accommodation Plan processes.
• Contact state agencies (i.e., DCF, DMH), and outside therapists and hospitals, as necessary, to gather information, collaborate with planning and make necessary referrals for programs and services.

Other

• Serve on school and system-wide mental health teams.
• Complete documentation necessary for TEAM and Section 504 Accommodation Plan processes to include social emotional/ behavioral goals for the IEP.
• Document necessary student situations as required by the state (i.e., 51A process).
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Administrator for Student Services or the Building Principal.

Qualifications

• Masters degree from an accredited college or university
• Licensed as a School Psychologist, School Adjustment/ Social Worker, or School Counselor by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• The ability to administer, interpret and report on various psycho-educational and educational assessments assessments
• Demonstrate understanding on the processes and regulations which govern the special education process
• Demonstrate understanding of multi-tiered systems of support and put into action supports for district wide robust tiers
• The ability to work on a multi-disciplinary team using a collaborative decision-making process to reach consensus
• Other requirements that may be determined by the Administrator for Student Services or the Building Principal.

Lincoln, Massachusetts

Lincoln is a residential suburb located 12 miles northwest of Boston. Established in 1754, the town has a rich history dating to our country’s Revolutionary period and has maintained many of its early characteristics and traditions. The community places a high value on public education, open space, diversity, and community involvement.

The school system has a well-earned reputation for educational excellence, offering innovative, student-centered instruction in an inclusive setting with small class sizes. The district serves students PreK-8 at two schools: the PreK-8 Lincoln School, which serves Lincoln-resident families, Boston-resident families participating in the METCO program, and the children of staff members; and the PreK-8 Hanscom School, which serves military families living on the Hanscom Air Force Base.

Interest in Lincoln Public Schools

Our district’s core values are: excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, respect for every individual, and collaboration and community. We are excited to welcome new staff members who share those values, and who bring a range of prior experiences in education and in life.

As a district, we ensure that applicants are employed, assigned, and promoted without regard to their age, race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, active military/veteran status, disability, national origin, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, or housing status. We actively seek applications from a diverse range of candidates who share a common commitment to children and to maintaining a positive and collaborative culture.

You can learn more about the Lincoln Public Schools at https://www.lincnet.org/employment.