School Psychologist (KDES)

The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center with exemplary elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students and is tasked with developing and disseminating innovative curricula, instructional techniques, and products nationwide while providing information, training, and technical assistance for parents and professionals to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to age 21.

Worker Type: Regular

Pay Type: Salary

Exempt Status: Yes

Compensation Grade (Track/Level): CT2

Hiring Range (Commensurate with experience and qualifications):

Salary Ranges (All Compensation Grades):

Supervisory Organization (Department): Student Services

Summary: Reporting to the Director of Academic Programs, the School Psychologist administers a comprehensive diagnostic and evaluative program for early childhood through high school with learning, developmental, and social/emotional/behavioral status and disabilities.

Job Description:

• Interprets the results of evaluations to appropriate individuals, including the student, when appropriate; provides individual and group therapy to students; serves as a consultant on psychological matters to parents, teachers, staff, administrators and professionals outside of the school; partners with educators, families and school community to provide effective learning environments for all students; provides a range of services for students who demonstrate difficulties with learning academic achievement, social/emotional functioning, and behavior; and serves as a psycho-educational service provider involved in proactive and preventative activities, as well as responds to identified concerns.
• Administers and interprets psycho-educational assessments, academic skills and aptitude, and functional behavioral assessments to determine how learning disabilities, attention disorders, cognitive deficits, and behavioral and emotional disorders affect learning.
• Selects and interprets appropriately the instruments and procedures, accounting for individual student backgrounds, educational disadvantage, environment deprivation, primary language of the home, language proficiency of the student, and motor/sensory/communication problems.
• Identifies and facilitates appropriate instructional strategies and accommodations, and behavioral, emotional, cognitive and educational interventions for students with unique needs and learning disabilities.
• Interprets assessment of an individual student's needs, limitations, and potential where appropriate, using observation in the classroom, collection of medical, developmental, family and educational histories through interviews, school records and tests, reviewing reports from outside agencies or previous evaluations, and consultation with parents and school personnel.
• Conducts updated psychological evaluations for Clerc Center students promoting in grades from middle school to high school and high school to post-secondary programs and the world of work; and shares these specialized transition evaluations with receiving schools, LEAs, state vocational rehabilitation agencies.
• Provides guidance and consultation to Clerc Center staff, administrators, and the parents of deaf children in the use and interpretation of the standardized testing, and other norm referenced, standardized tests used to measure literacy in deaf students.
• Provides instruction to Clerc Center teachers and staff on the use of test data and accompanying error analysis to design instructional activities needed to improve students' performance on measures of literacy, including the standardized testing, and other norm-referenced and curriculum-based tests.
• Provides information, workshops, in-service training and consultation to teachers, counselors, and staff regarding effective teaching and learning strategies, effective techniques to manage behavior in the classroom, working with students with disabilities or with special talents, and preventing and managing crises.
• Works with the school counselors in providing appropriate support to students in need of counseling services; and serves as the member of the Education and Planning Support Team
• Participates in Student Review Team meetings, Admissions Review Team meetings, and IEP meetings as requested and needed, and presents pertinent psycho-educational information.
• Provides practicum and internship supervision for graduate students enrolled in school psychology training programs.
• Remains active in professional development activities, such as workshops and conferences, on school psychology and topics related to literacy, the needs of families with deaf children, and transition in special education.
• Contributes new information and knowledge related to school psychology, literacy, the needs of families with deaf children, and transition through publications and presentations.
• Participates in national mission efforts including conducting psychological research related to deafness and children; and documents all national mission contacts and activities using the Contact Log and Activity Summary databases.
• Acts as liaison to outside agencies such as clinics or mental health centers; and makes referrals to other specialists and agencies when appropriate.
• Refers to appropriate outside agencies for additional evaluations where appropriate.
• Assists with school reaction to crisis situations; and helps families and schools manage crises, such as death, illness, or community trauma.
• Develops partnerships and supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning and healthy school environment for students/children, promoting understanding and appreciation of perspectives and experiences within the school community.
• Reports any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse.
• Establishes and maintains a positive and supportive working relationship with co-workers and supervisors.
• Demonstrates a genuine commitment to belonging in the workplace and participates in activities and workshops to foster continuous learning.
• Serves as a mandatory reporter under Title IX; and commits to completing Title IX training and other compliance requirements on an annual basis.
• Prioritizes safety in the workplace as a collective responsibility for the well-being of employees and fosters a culture of safety that is integral to our success, including strict adherence to safety procedures and protocols, as well as promptly reporting any safety hazards or incidents.
• Performs related and other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience with mental health, diagnostic services, or a related field.
• Certification and/or license as a School Psychologist in the District of Columbia.
• Ability to communicate in American Sign Language.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience providing psychological services to deaf youth.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong organization and management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and across University departments, outside constituents and groups.

Other Important Information:

• The successful candidate will undergo a background check that must be cleared prior to working at Gallaudet University.

Gallaudet University is an equal opportunity employer/educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, hearing status, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, source of income, place of business or residence, pregnancy, childbirth, or any other unlawful basis. This policy is in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, and other applicable laws and applies to all procedures affecting applicants and employees including, but not necessarily limited to: recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, reassignment, reappointment, tenure, demotion, selection for training, layoff, furlough, and termination, compensation, and all other conditions or privileges of employment.