The School District of Philadelphia is dedicated to upholding relevant educational and psychological programming for all children by conducting valid and reliable evaluations. School Psychologists work under the direction of the Director, Psychological Services and are responsible for performing the following essential duties:

DISCLOSURE: This position requires both a written and oral exam for consideration. For internal candidates, please apply through the Employee Portal for consideration.

Job Summary

Provides psychological services to students thought to be eligible for special education services or for gifted services. Performs evaluations of the cognitive, academic and social-emotional development of students through the use of techniques such as non-biased testing, observation and clinical evaluation. Provides consultative services to all stakeholders regarding the process and services to schools within the School District of Philadelphia. Participates in the multi-disciplinary team process and individual educational programming activities for exceptional students. Assists regular education instructional staff in developing and implementing pre-assessment and informal intervention strategies for referred students.

Essential Functions

For all Specialties

• Conducts evaluations of referred students' cognitive, academic and social-emotional development in order to identify the exceptional student.
• Administers psychological and educational tests to identify learning and/or behavioral differences in individual students.
• Participates in the multi-disciplinary team process of student evaluations.
• Assists in the development of the individual educational program by making placement, service and referral recommendations; follows-up on students' placement, adjustment and achievement by consulting with school staff, parents and outside service agencies.
• Participates in staff and family training activities.
• Prepares and maintains case history records on individual students.

General/Sign Language Specialty

• Assists in the development of the individual educational program by making placement, service and referral recommendations; follows-up on students' placement, adjustment and achievement by consulting with school staff, parents and outside service agencies.
• Provides pre-intervention consulting services to regular education instructional staff.
• Facilitates the development and implementation of informal intervention techniques.
• Serves as a resource person to special education teachers and other professional/paraprofessional staff members engaged in the delivery of programs in the delivery of programs and services to special education students.

Gifted Specialty

• Assists in the development of the gifted individual educational program
• Provides pre-evaluation consulting services to regular education instructional staff.
• Documents appropriate information and reports in the EasyIEP - Gifted Process module.
• Provides consultative services to school staff and parents as needed regarding the gifted evaluation process and services to schools within the School District of Philadelphia and, where appropriate, to parents from private and parochial schools as it pertains to Equal Participation.

Minimum Requirements

• Master's degree program from an accredited college or university (Candidates enrolled in a program with a graduation date by June 2024 will also be considered)
• Successful completion of a school psychologist internship in the duration of Master's program

Preferred Requirements

• One to four years of professional experience working in the field of child psychology.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

For all Specialties

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • the basic principles of child and adolescent psychology and related behavioral sciences.
  • the application of psychology to individual and group behavior.
  • psychological techniques employed in the modification of human behavior.
  • the principles and techniques of administering, scoring and interpreting psychological and educational tests.
  • general referral techniques.
  • federal and state laws pertaining to the delivery of psychological services to school age children,
  • Demonstrated ability to :
• administer psychological and educational tests in an educational setting.
• provide consultative services to teachers, students, and parents.
• prepare clear and concise reports.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

For Sign Language Specialty

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • the diagnostic instruments and norms commonly used with hearing impaired students.
  • the effects of hearing impairment on the psychological development of children.
• Demonstrated ability to :
  • proficiency in the use and understanding of American Sign Language.
  • communicate in English and American Sign Language.

For Gifted Specialty

• Demonstrated ability to :
  • communicate respectfully to parents regarding a student's evaluation findings
  • deliver professional development to educators and parents on issues and processes related to exceptional childrenthe principles and techniques of administering, scoring and interpreting psychological and educational for gifted evaluation.
    • federal and state laws pertaining to the identification of gifted students.
    • the challenges and issues related to the identification of under-represented populations for gifted and talented services.
    • the characteristics and behaviors of gifted children.

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate to act as a School Psychologist.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.