School Psychologist Interns

Special Services

20-21 School Year

The Office of Special Education and Student Services for Albemarle County Public Schools offers a specialist internship for eligible candidates in school psychology. For the 2019-2020 school year ACPS will have two intern positions available. Students interested in applying for an internship with Albemarle County Public Schools must submit the following materials electronically via the on-line application process:  

1. Completed on-line application
2. Cover letter expressing why the applicant is interested in the internship program;
3. A resume or vita (preferred),
4. Three professional recommendations, and
5. A psychological evaluation report redacted to protect confidential information. 

General Definition of Work:
Under supervision, provides professional educational and psychological services to students to include classroom interventions, student assessments and placement recommendations, individual and group psychological services, consultation services to staff and parents, and critical incident intervention.  Complex work is performed within specific program objectives and policies; employee communicates with teachers and other school personnel to plan work and coordinates with others to ensure service effectiveness. Contacts are made regularly and frequently with instructional and administrative personnel, as well as with community resource personnel. 

Essential Functions:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. 
• Provides academic and behavioral intervention services for students in collaboration with classroom teachers.
• Develops and refines skills in understanding and applying research data and research studies, as it relates to interventions and support at the school level.
• Consults and assists teachers to determine and implement appropriate academic and behavioral interventions in classrooms.
• Consults with other psychologists to enhance and broaden the internship experience.
• Performs psycho-educational assessments of students, observations, data collection, interpretation and analyses.
• Participates in the School Based Intervention Team and eligibility meetings to prescribe student interventions and assist the team to identify students for special education services.
• Collect data regarding student behaviors and recommend appropriate instructional modifications to develop responsible thinking and decision-making skills in students.  Identify and implement appropriate interventions for students in need of additional assistance.
• Consults and collaborates with parents, teachers, students, and administrators.
• Works with critical incident team in the schools, including reaction to illness, deaths, and abuse.
• Work in a collaborative manner with peers and school personnel to ensure successful and efficient transitioning for students to return to his/her home school to include the creation of Transition Plans.
• Provides individual and group counseling / psychological services.
• Develops and coordinates various psychological services available to students and staff. 
• Present professional development for administrators and teachers on behavior intervention, substance abuse, anger management, as well as other topics and support the staff in the implementation of their new learning.
• Assist families and school staff in accessing community resources
• Keep teachers and other staff informed of progress, incidents and concerns.
• Serves as a liaison between home, school, and community.  Coordinates community resources to address child and family needs.
• Provides written evaluations that are reviewed and co-signed by supervisor, as required by state, federal and local guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and methodologies of school psychology, including knowledge of psychological evaluations using intelligence, personality, psychomotor function; behavioral and personality instruments; knowledge of child growth and development, learning, measurement, research, statistics, and intervention and prevention strategies.  Knowledge of federal and state regulations as well as, guidelines related to special education and pupil personnel service programs.  Demonstrated ability in individual and group decision-making, problem analysis and conflict resolution, and collaboration with other therapeutic and instructional personnel.  Intern psychologist must be knowledgeable and proficient with technology tools.

Education and Experience:

Interns must be working toward an educational specialist degree from an approved program in school psychology and are required to seek provisional certification as a School Psychologist in Virginia. Individual/group supervision is tailored to individual needs and internship program requirements. Interns must hold a valid driver’s license.

Physical Conditions and Nature of Work Contacts:

Duties performed typically in school settings to include: classroom, gym, cafeteria, auditorium and recreational areas. Frequent walking, standing, light lifting, up to 40 pounds, and other physical activities are required. Occasional travel with students on field trips may be necessary. Occasional lifting of equipment such as audio-visuals weighing up to 50 pounds may be required. Occasional attendance to parent conferences, building-level meetings and division wide meetings and training activities beyond normal assigned hours is necessary. Daily personal close contact with children to provide classroom management and learning environment support is required. Regular contact with other staff members, parents and medical professionals may be required. Contacts with community and division-level staff may require considerable tact and diplomacy. Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature, and air quality. Interruptions of work are routine. Job responsibilities include both inside and outside duties. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments. After hour work may be required. Must be able to work under stressful conditions. Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions. May be subject to physical and emotional outbursts by students, including such behaviors as hitting, kicking, spitting, scratching and biting. Dexterity of hands and fingers are required to assist/restrain students and to operate specialized equipment or office equipment. Sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to assist students. Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student activities. Hearing and speaking to exchange information. Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally. Lifting or moving children from wheelchair to tables or desks. The  physical  demands  described  here  are  representative  of  those  that  must  be  met  by  an  employee  to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Evaluation:
School Psychologist Intern will report to the Director of Special Education and Student Services or Designee.  School Psychologist Intern is under the direct supervision of the designated supervising school psychologist, and school principals.  

This is a temporary work assignment for the 2020-21 school year.