School Psychologist Job Description Template
Use this School Psychologist job description template to advertise the open roles for free using Longlist.io. You can use this template as a starting point, modify the requirements according the needs of your organization or the client you are hiring for.
Job Brief
We are looking for an experienced school psychologist to join our team and cater for our students’ mental health and wellbeing.
Together with teachers, administrators, and other specialists (e.g. occupational therapists), you’ll design effective programs for children who face social or emotional problems, developmental or learning disorders, and disabilities. You’ll implement these programs in individual or group sessions. You will also occasionally counsel and guide parents and teachers.
To succeed in this role, it’s important to be able to analyze complex information from different sources (e.g. reports, school grades, teacher perspectives, etc.). Compassion, patience, and resilience will help you meet the daily job tasks and be a good role model for our students.
If you see yourself in this role and you want to make a difference in our students’ lives, we’d like to meet you.
Responsibilities
- Design mental-health intervention and prevention programs
- Implement counseling and educational methods (e.g. breathing or mental imagery techniques)
- Collaborate with educational staff to create coordinated plans
- Evaluate and report on student progress (e.g. using psychometric tests)
- Set learning goals based on each student’s emotional, cognitive, and social strengths
- Refer students to community services if needed
- Research new methods to improve children’s wellbeing (e.g. mindfulness)
- Resolve classroom or school crises
- Mentor and support teachers of high-risk children
- Guide parents in facilitating children’s progress
Requirements
- Proven experience as a school psychologist in a diverse educational setting
- Knowledge of various methods to prevent or treat mental-health problems and other difficulties
- Strong understanding of state education policies and regulations
- Effective communication and counseling skills
- Integrity and professionalism
- A positive, patient, and resilient personality
- State license to work as a school psychologist
- Master’s degree in School Psychology or similar educational field; a Ph.D or Psy.D is a plus
What does School Psychologist do?
A school psychologist typically has a range of responsibilities and duties. Here's an overview of what they may do on a day-to-day basis:
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Conduct assessments: School psychologists assess students to identify developmental, intellectual, emotional, and behavioral challenges. They administer and interpret standardized tests, observe behavior, and gather information from parents, teachers, and other professionals.
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Provide counseling: They provide individual and group counseling to support students' social-emotional well-being, mental health, and academic success. This may involve helping students cope with stress, bullying, family issues, or other difficulties affecting their educational experience.
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Collaborate with teachers and parents: School psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents, and other school personnel to develop strategies and interventions for students with various needs. They may consult with teachers to create individualized education plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities and provide guidance on effective teaching strategies.
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Support crisis intervention: In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or incidents of violence, school psychologists play a vital role in providing support and counseling to students, teachers, and families.
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Conduct research and program evaluation: They contribute to ongoing research and evaluation of school-based programs and interventions. This involves collecting and analyzing data to monitor the effectiveness of interventions and make evidence-based recommendations for improvement.
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Offer professional development: School psychologists provide training and workshops for teachers and other staff members on topics such as positive behavior support, classroom management, and mental health awareness. They may also educate parents on strategies to support their child's learning and well-being.
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Attend meetings and participate in multidisciplinary teams: School psychologists attend meetings related to student evaluations, IEPs, and other collaborative efforts. They contribute to multidisciplinary teams that discuss and plan interventions for students with complex needs.
It's important to note that the specific tasks and priorities of a school psychologist may vary depending on the school or district they work in and the needs of the students they serve.