School Psychologist

School Psychologist opportunity at Aspire Pacific Academy for SY26/27

Click here for compensation based on years of experience in the role with a PPS

About Aspire

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998—in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through—Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives.

Every day, our community of students, families, teachers and staff comes together to learn, work, and play in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

Job Summary

The School Psychologist provides a full range of school psychological services to children grades TK-12 (through age 22), including screening and assessment, individual and group counseling, and collab oration with outside agencies as appropriate. This role is a member of the Individualized Education Plan team that helps determine whether a student is eligible for special services, appropriate programming, and on-going progress.

Essential Functions

Screen and evaluate referred children within legal timelines including selecting appropriate instruments, administering tests, observations, and writing legally defensible reports in accordance with IDEA, which state the evaluation findings and provide educational program recommendations.

Participate as a member of the IEP team, contributing evaluation findings and collaborating with all members of the team to develop education plans.

Collaborate with school staff around MTSS implementation, Student Study Team meetings, and crisis support.

Collaborate to field requests for assessment and provide written response within legal timeline, such as an Assessment Plan and/or Prior Written Notice.

Support with legal and effective Child Find systems that support school site teams to identify students with suspected disabilities who require special education evaluation.

Collaborate with the special education team to design and implement intervention strategies and programs.

Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Educationally Related Mental Health Assessments (ERMHS) as required by IDEA, and provide behavior and mental health consultation to IEP team members, including support in drafting strong behavior intervention plans and behavior data tracking systems.

Consult with parents, teachers, and other staff regarding any accommodations/modifications needed for a specific child based on evaluations and observations.

Establish and monitor necessary caseloads, work with schools and other staff to plan assessments and meetings; submit records, reports, and assignments promptly and efficiently.

• Supervise Psychology interns as necessary.
• Provide counseling services to students, as assigned by supervisor.
• Work at assigned school site/s based on regional needs.

Additional

Demonstrate knowledge of, and support, the Aspire Public Schools mission, vision, value statements including antiracism, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.

• Knowledge of special education principles, concepts, methodologies, and documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of special education assessment, planning, instruction, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles.
• Belief in inclusion and Aspire’s Equity Belief Statements and demonstrates high expectations for students with diverse learning needs.
• Ability and willingness to reflect and improve.
• Ability to follow and meet mandated deadlines and due dates.

Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions; ability and good judgment to take initiative to modify activities.

Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with general education and special education colleagues, parents and community.

• Ability to work with an ethnically and economically diverse student body.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in School Psychology
• Pupil Personnel Services Credential

Competencies

Knowledge of child cognitive development and different learning styles

Belief in inclusion and Aspire’s Equity Belief Statements and demonstrates high expectations for students with diverse learning needs

Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing conditions; ability and good judgment to take initiative to modify activities

Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate with general education and special education colleagues, parents and community

Ability to excel as a member of a team and implement new learnings from professional development

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed

Ability to learn quickly and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment: able to work autonomously and thoroughly with independent self-reflection, as well as take direction as needed

Alignment to and urgency around Aspire’s mission, vision and values

Experience Required

• Completion of School Psychologist Internship
• 2 years of experience as a school psychologist preferred

Physical Requirements

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Work Authorization Requirements

• Clear the Department of Justice background screening.
• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Provide health (TB) clearance (renewed every four years).

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics are representative of those in a normal office, classroom/school setting which one might encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Aspire Public Schools has implemented a Remote Work policy. This position may also require periodic travel to school sites in order to interact with school leaders.

• Work indoors in a standard office environment, computer lab, and/or classroom environment.
• Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments.
• Exposure to dust, oils, and cleaning chemicals.
• Some exposure to childhood and other diseases in a school environment.
• May be required to work outside of typical work days and office hours to meet operational deadlines.

EEO Statement

Aspire Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.