Anticipated School Psychologist (2026-2027 School Year)

Come work for the Bucks IU! A great opportunity to be part of a collaborative work environment with excellent employee benefit plan options, PSERS pension plan and a flexible, school calendar work schedule.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary:

The Bucks IU School Psychologists works within IU programs, school districts and contracted entities to complete comprehensive evaluations and reevaluations, serve on school multidisciplinary teams,  promote positive mental health in the form of counseling, crisis management and emotional/behavior interventions and consult with school teams regarding individuals and systems-level needs for special education programming.

Essential Functions:

·       Completes comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations and reevaluations for students ranging in age from 5 to 21 years old to determine school-based eligibility and strengths and needs as it relates to educational programming

·       Serves on a multidisciplinary team that collects and interprets data and consults regarding student programming and classroom/program-wide supports

·       Promotes positive mental health within the school community and IU programs including: counseling, crisis management and emotional/behavioral interventions

·       Communicates and collaborates with all stakeholders, including: parents, students and school districts to advocate for educational programming needs

·       Participates in professional development opportunities that promote continued learning and better practice

·       Consults, designs and implements academic and behavioral interventions for students

·       Participates in collaborative team meetings to discuss programming, problem-solving and transitions

·       Completes paperwork and manages evaluations within mandated timeline periods

Other Duties: This position description does not express nor does it imply that the above duties are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent(s) in this position.  Additional duties may be assigned by the Administrator of the department, as needed, to adapt to the changing needs of the organization.

Competencies:

·       Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in-group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

·       Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

·       Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

·       Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

·       Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

·       Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

·       Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.

·       Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Contributes to profits and revenue; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.

·       Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Promotes a harassment-free environment.

·       Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

·       Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Benefits organization through outside activities; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

·       Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.

·       Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

·       Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.

·       Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.

·       Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

·       Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

·       Quantity - Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.

·       Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

·       Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

·       Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.

·       Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

·       Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

·       Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generates suggestions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Supervisory Responsibility: No direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 193-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Hours are dependent on the needs of the districts.  Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:

Education and Experience:

·       Level of Degree:

o   Must have completed an accredited school psychology graduate program

o   PA state certification in the area of school psychology.

·       Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

o   Ability to work with diverse learners.

o   Implement IEP's with fidelity.

o   Follow classroom schedule.

o   Direct support staff.

o   Ability to communicate effectively across a variety of team members including parents.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable):  Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer:  The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.