Job Title: School Psychologist - Applicant Pool     

Note: In lieu of individual school/position postings, we utilize pool postings as a way to connect with talented individuals like you.  During the interview journey, we delve into your preferences, skills, and ideal work locations to find a position for you among our diverse opportunities.

Location: TBD

Reports To: Building Principals 

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: : per negotiated agreement / Exempt

Salary Schedule: 

2024/25 

Step 1 with a Specialist degree: $62,446  /  Step 1 with a Doctorate degree: $64,654 
Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience.  Placement on the salary schedule will follow the applicable negotiated agreement.

2025/26 

Step 1 with a Specialist degree: $63,851  /  Step 1 with a Doctorate degree: $66,108 

Salary credit may be awarded for applicable experience.  Placement on the salary schedule will follow the applicable negotiated agreement

Position Purpose:  The School Psychologist will support students, teachers, staff, and parents in a variety of ways and in multiple settings to help students succeed. The psychologist will provide assessments and interpret assessment findings; collaborate and communicate with other building supports such as counselors and school social workers to meet the needs of students and staff; and serve as a student advocate in determining educational support.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Provide system-wide support for academic and behavior needs through Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) frameworks.
• Provides assessments of educational and behavioral strengths and needs of students.
• Interprets findings to assist school staff, parents, and referral agencies.
• Integrates evaluation data into comprehensive psycho-educational reports and maintenance of confidential student information.
• Facilitates Multidisciplinary Team meetings.
• Interprets individual student data for student programming and services.
• Identifies specific skill deficits, develop interventions, track and analyze baseline and intervention data for Student Assistance Team (SAT) meetings.
• Collaborate with other building support staff such as counselors and social workers to meet the needs of the students, families and building which may include participation on team meetings (MTSS-B, SAT, 504, MDT, IEP, Crisis Response Team, etc).
• Serves as a student advocate in determining educational support.
• Utilizes interactive skills necessary to be a positive contributor as a disciplinary team leader, counsel individuals with regard to problems to be resolved and responds promptly to conflict and crisis situations.
• Understand and promote use of data for accountability and decision making.
• Makes observations of children in various school settings, identifies and interprets significant behavioral patterns to appropriate staff members, and suggests procedures to be followed in dealing with these children.
• Shares evidence based interventions to be utilized in the problem solving process.
• Coordinates and participates as a member of the Student Assistance Team referral process.
• Participates in the screening, pre-assessment, identification, follow-up for students involved in the referral process.
• Administers individual psychological tests and other assessment instruments as needed for comprehensive individual student evaluations to determine special education eligibility.
• Interprets test results and observations of individual students to staff members, parents, and referral agencies concerned and relates these to classroom activities and procedures.
• Collaborates with staff, parents and other professionals to create supportive learning environments for all learners.
• Consults with the administration and school staff in the improvement of educational programs and school-wide initiatives.
• Participates in the referral of children to other appropriate agencies for further study and/or assistance when appropriate, and acts as a liaison between the school and community professionals providing psychiatric and psychological services.
• Counsels individuals with regard to problems to be resolved and responds promptly to conflict and crisis situations.
• Works with and understands the needs of a diverse student population.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum completion of Educational Specialist Degree program from an accredited college or university.
• Satisfactory completion of a one-year internship program.
• Valid Nebraska Department of Education Teaching Certificate with endorsement in School Psychology, or ability to obtain one.
• Ability and patience to work interactively with students.
• Skill in organization, time management, communication, and positive interpersonal skills.
• Excellent skills in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Outlook and the student information system.
• Excellent attendance record.
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
• Evidence of the willingness and ability to comply with standards for ethical and professional performance established by the State Board of Education.
• Exhibit strong standards of professional ethics.
• Exhibit skills pertinent to foster positive human relationships and the ability to work effectively with students, staff, parents and the community.
• Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:  This position may require the ability to use basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine.  Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel:  Limited travel may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Works in school building environments.

Interrelations:

• Contact with internal district staff and with external families, community, customers and vendors.
• Works under the direct supervision of the department supervisor and principal to complete day to day tasks.
• Works with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to student and customer needs and maintains a positive attitude with all students, families, and colleagues.
• Interacts with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner to provide quick, responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• Expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated duty day, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a certified full-time exempt position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified.
• A thorough background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position sought and working with or around students.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Omaha Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)   

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.