Social Worker/Psychologist

The Odyssey School of Denver is a diverse, K-8 Expeditionary Learning (EL) charter school. We believe in teaching students how to learn through a focus on academic achievement, critical thinking, and social responsibility, preparing them for high school and beyond. Our EL curriculum is supported by a robust outdoor Adventure program in which all students and staff participate. The School Psychologist holds three primary leadership duties - a., manages and teaches psychological minutes in accordance with IEP requirements and 504 Plans, manages MTSS behavior referrals, and provides assessment for special education and 504 evaluations.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Building Crew & Character

  • Support school culture and foster character through social-emotional learning practices that bring the community together, promote shared understanding, and encourage all community members to become crew, not passengers

  • Ensure equity and have high expectations by creating and adapting structures to ensure that all students have access to mental health

  • Onboards and works collaboratively with lead classroom teachers on data collection, instruction, and adaptation for successful inclusion of students. 

  • Attends adventure trips *accommodations will be made for medical/family care concerns

• Planning, Counseling, & Assessment 

  • Develop compelling behavioral plans for students who receive mental health support and/or tiered supports

  • Consistently use counseling practices that are engaging and promote equity and high expectations through research-based strategies and curricula

  • Administers and interprets both formal and informal individualized psycho educational social emotional assessments

  • Participates in crisis management by counseling and or making referrals. Counsels students, parents (in groups and individually) and consults with staff in the development of appropriate behavior goals. 

  • Interprets test data, researches available tests necessary to meet individual school needs, provides in-service training for staff on standardized administration technique, and interprets individual and group test data to staff and parents. 

  • Develop safety plans for school and adventure in accordance with FBA with behavior leads 

• Family Communication 

  • Make families welcome, know them well and engage them actively in mental health support.

  • Communicate regularly with students and families about achievement, growth, behavior and other topics using email, phone calls and via IEP progress reports. 

  • Observe, evaluate, report, and record students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.

• Professionalism & Responsibilities 

  • Participate in a strong professional culture that is sustained via collective leadership and action.

  • Observe and support the Odyssey staff community courtesies and Habits.

  • Work with Special Education Case Managers to plan and support facilitation of MTSS, IEP meetings, 504 meetings. 

  • Develop IEPs in collaboration with all IEP team members. Adheres to all district timelines and requirements for IEP meetings, notifications, and development.

  • Attend collaborative meetings with Student Support Team regularly 

  • Consults with staff and parents, making recommendations for developmentally appropriate services and strategies to assist in improving student achievement.

  • Attend and participate in all Staff Council and professional development meetings.  Avoid scheduling conferences, medical appointments, etc. during these times.

  • Be prompt for school, meeting and supervision responsibilities.

Additional Duties/Overall Site Support: 

• As an NCI trained member the psychologist may be asked to assist with behavior needs of the school. 

• Attend trainings for further professional development in psychology case management and teaching 

• Attend weekly professional development 

• Lead planner for a social emotional onboarding for parents 

Qualifications

• Must be a self-aware, mission-driven, solutions-oriented, team player looking to become an expert learner. 

• Commitment to outdoor education and adventure programming for students. 

• Hold a Master’s Degree or higher in School Psychology.

• Current Colorado Department of Education Special Service Provider License - School Psychologist. 

• Have experience in the administration and interpretation of a variety of test instruments to evaluate cognitive ability, learning aptitudes, academic skills and eligibility for special education.

• Have experience using consultation techniques that allow for providing effective techniques that address problems in learning and behavior.

• Have experience working with culturally diverse populations.

• Experience with EL curriculum or project-based learning a plus but not required 

• Be prompt for school, meeting and supervision responsibilities.

Additional Duties/Overall Site Support: 

• As an NCI trained member the psychologist may be asked to assist with behavior needs of the school. 

• Attend trainings for further professional development in psychology case management and teaching 

• Attend weekly professional development 

• Lead planner for a social emotional onboarding for parents