State of Maryland

A School Psychologist is the full performance level of professional psychology staff work at a Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) designated juvenile justice facility and/or in a Residential Educational setting; applying the science of psychology to support student learning, mental health, and behavioral needs and providing psychological services such as psychoeducational assessments, individualized psychological and behavioral interventions, and individual and group counseling services to students with emotional, behavioral, and academic concerns, within educational settings. Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a School Psychology Supervisor or other designated official through evaluation of program results, review of communications, consultations and group conferences. Employees may be required to work evenings or weekends. The work is performed within juvenile justice facilities and residential educational systems.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

The School Psychologist is differentiated from the School Psychologist Supervisor in that the School Psychologist is the full performance level of professional psychology staff work and does not have supervisory responsibility, while the School Psychologist Supervisor directs psychology services in a DJS designated juvenile justice facility or residential educational setting and supervises licensed School Psychologists and non-licensed members of the psychology staff.

Provides a variety of diagnostic and psychoeducational assessment services, including the selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of measures to evaluate cognitive, academic, behavioral, and social-emotional functioning;

Provides individual and group counseling services to students with emotional, behavioral, and academic concerns;

Develops and implements individualized psychological and behavioral interventions based on assessment data;

Uses assessment data to guide Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and targeted interventions;

Collaborates with educators, administrators, and families to develop and monitor Individualized Education Programs;

Collaborates with educators, administrators, and families to ensure results inform evidence-based supports within Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) frameworks while ensuring compliance with IDEA and Section 504;

Consults with school staff regarding Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and crisis intervention strategies;

Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to develop student-centered plans that address mental health, learning disabilities, and trauma-related challenges;

Provides crisis intervention and risk assessments for students experiencing severe distress or mental health crises;

Facilitates staff training and professional development on topics related to trauma-informed practices, mental health, and student behavior;

Maintains accurate psychological records, reports, and documentation in compliance with IDEA, Section 504, and Maryland Department of Juvenile Services standards;

Serves as a liaison between school teams and community mental health providers to ensure coordinated services;

Advocates for mental health initiatives and system-wide programs that enhance student well-being and educational access;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of developmental psychology, learning theory, and behavioral principles;

Knowledge in psychoeducational assessment, counseling, and intervention strategies;

Knowledge of federal and state laws governing special education and student rights;

Knowledge of interviewing techniques;

Knowledge of personality, intelligence, interest and aptitude measurements;

Knowledge of the social sciences and the fundamentals of other mental health professions;

Knowledge of the use of psychological services in Statewide health, and mental health programs;

Skill in performing clinical work such as psychological interviewing, diagnostic evaluation and psychotherapy;

Skill in designing data-driven behavioral interventions and supporting MTSS frameworks;

Skill in administering, scoring and interpreting the most difficult and complex psychological tests;

Skill in consultation and collaboration to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams;

Skill in oral and written communication for reporting, consultation, and advocacy efforts;

Skill in interpreting psychological information and making sound recommendations;

Ability to analyze and interpret psychological data to guide student supports;

Ability to provide professional development and training to school staff on mental health and trauma-informed practices;

Ability to communicate effectively with patients or clients, families of patients or clients and other members of the staff.

Experience: One year of experience rendering psychological services after receipt of the Psychologist license.

Education: Determined by the Maryland State Department of Education under the licensing requirements for Psychologists.

Note: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Clinical Psychology classifications or Psychology specialty codes in the Psychology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions. Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit F, Social and Human Service Professionals classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.