School Psychologist

Job Description

The School Psychologist serves as a key member of the Student Support Team, providing comprehensive psychological services across prevention, intervention, assessment, consultation, and crisis response. This role supports the implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), conducts high-quality special education evaluations, and collaborates with school teams to improve outcomes for all students.

Successful candidates are collaborative, data-driven, culturally responsive practitioners who are committed to educational equity and excellence for all students.

Primary Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Prevention & Early Intervention

• Serve as an active member of the school's MTSS/Response to Intervention (RTI) team.
• Analyze academic, behavioral, attendance, and social-emotional data to identify student needs and recommend evidence-based interventions.
• Support school teams in reducing inappropriate referrals to special education through consultation and early intervention strategies.
• Consult with teachers and leaders on effective instructional and behavioral practices for diverse learners.
• Promote positive school climate through consultation on trauma-informed practices, bullying prevention, restorative approaches, and social-emotional supports.
• Design and facilitate professional learning for school staff related to student behavior, mental health, and effective intervention practices.

Psychological Evaluation & Special Education

• Coordinate the psychological evaluation process, ensuring compliance with all state and federal timelines.
• Administer, score, and interpret psychological assessments measuring cognitive, academic, behavioral, adaptive, developmental, and social-emotional functioning.
• Conduct classroom observations and collect multiple sources of evaluation data.
• Develop comprehensive evaluation reports that comply with IDEA and Louisiana Bulletin 1508 requirements.
• Present evaluation findings clearly and collaboratively during eligibility and IEP meetings using family-friendly language.
• Collaborate with case managers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure accurate eligibility determinations and appropriate educational programming.

Behavioral & Mental Health Support

• Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs).
• Develop and support implementation of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and crisis intervention plans.
• Monitor intervention effectiveness and recommend data-based adjustments.
• Provide consultation regarding behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health supports across all tiers.
• Participate in crisis response and threat assessment as needed.

Collaboration & Consultation

• Partner with teachers, school leaders, counselors, social workers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other service providers to support student success.
• Consult with families regarding student needs, intervention planning, and available resources.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings including MTSS, IEP, manifestation determination reviews, administrative reviews, mediations, and due process proceedings as appropriate.
• Build strong collaborative relationships that promote equitable outcomes for students.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate documentation and evaluation timelines.
• Participate in regional School Psychologist professional learning communities and ongoing coaching.
• Engage in continuous professional learning and remain current on best practices in school psychology.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold all ethical and professional standards.

Qualifications

Required

• Master's, Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), or doctoral degree in School Psychology.
• Louisiana certification (or eligibility for certification) as a School Psychologist.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IDEA, Louisiana Bulletin 1508, special education evaluation procedures, and MTSS.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to educational equity and serving historically underserved students and communities.

Preferred

• Louisiana psychologist licensure or license eligibility.
• Experience conducting psychoeducational evaluations in a school setting.
• Experience with Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans.
• Experience providing consultation within a multidisciplinary educational environment.
• Bilingual skills are valued.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands and environmental conditions described below are representative, but not exhaustive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. All of these physical requirements should be able to be performed with clarity, coherence and connectedness of the KNOS vision, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand. 

• Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations, including noisy environments such as cafeterias and playgrounds, to more moderate situations such as classrooms or large group professional settings.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices, and one needs to be able to read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.) and maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.

• Ability to meet the physical demands of classroom teaching (standing, circulating, occasional lifting/moving of classroom materials); Able to sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time.

• Ability to safely lift and move up to 30 lbs independently

• Duties may require traveling to other school facilities using employee's personal transportation.

• This is a full-time, 100% on-site position; Regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with your supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Commitments

• Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional and courteous attitude with all people, including all KNOS employees, Board members, community and philanthropic partners, funders, and vendors.

• Model superior customer service behavior by maintaining positive relationships with all KNOS stakeholders.

• Contribute as a positive and effective team member; work effectively with other team members to accomplish KNOS goals. 

• Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling; be honest and fair in all professional dealings.

Additional Information

• Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, and we routinely engage in compensation analysis for all roles across the organization to ensure that we remain competitive in the market. 

• 403(b) retirement plan – KNOS matches 100% of employee contribution up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses. Vested immediately in 403(b).

• KNOS employees are eligible for health and wellbeing benefits starting the first day of the month following their Date of Hire.

• Comprehensive, customizable health coverage, including disability, life insurance, hospital indemnity, FSAs for health and dependent care, and free dental and vision for employees.

• KNOS employees are provided ~30 paid holidays and additional paid time off.

• Opportunities for on-going professional development.

Disclaimer:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• This job description shall not constitute or be construed as a promise of employment or as a contract between KNOS and any of its employees.

KIPP New Orleans Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

At KIPP New Orleans Schools, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. KNOS expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of KNOS employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

KNOS complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the KNOS has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.