About this role
Position: Psychologist Peabody School/Office of Student Services Peabody School Community: Welcome to The Peabody School Community! At the Peabody School, our identity is shaped by an inclusive and deeply cohesive community that champions both the pursuit of academic excellence and a profound commitment to service. Our entire community is united by our powerful mission: To love. To learn. To lead. This strong community spirit is nurtured daily through our morning meetings and shared weekly with families via our publication, Pumas in the Know. We take pride in being an educational pioneer, specifically as the first school in CPS to implement the esteemed Kodály music program, affirming our belief that "Music is for everyone." We enrich our students' experience with an average of one major community event each month, providing diverse opportunities for celebration, academic enrichment, and relationship building. Deeper student-educator connections are fostered through varied before- and after-school clubs, such as Math Olympiad, coding, curriculum-linked learning clubs, and our Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentorship program. Our dedicated family organizations, the Friends of Peabody and Peabody Connections, are vital partners who sponsor valuable enrichment like author visits and essential field trips. Every facet of our practice is driven by our commitment to the physical, emotional, and academic well-being of our students. The Office of Student Services: The Office of Student Services (OSS) is responsible for providing a variety of support and services to students in Cambridge Public Schools (CPS). Our programs are dedicated to ensuring equitable access and success for students with disabilities and students who have advanced learning needs. The Opportunity: The Office of Student Services is seeking an experienced Psychologist. Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Student Services and the Director of Student Services, the Psychologist will conduct psychological assessments and serve as Team Chairperson for the school(s) to which they are assigned. Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct and interpret psychological assessments resulting in comprehensive written reports that meet criteria in accordance with state and federal special education requirements
• Chair school-based Special Education Team Meetings, including, but not limited to, Initial Evaluations, Three-Year Reevaluations, and Manifestation Determinations
• Provide leadership to school-based CPP Special Education Teams through technical assistance around implementation of state and federal special education law and regulations, and Office of Special Education procedures
• Develop and oversee the effective implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with appropriate documentation
• Work closely with school staff to ensure that the learning, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students are addressed by leading the preschool team assigned
• Serve as a staff resource with respect to disability categories, differentiated instruction, progress monitoring, and analysis of assessment results
• Consult with administrators, special educators, and related service providers, RtI Teams, general educators, parents, and outside agencies
• Facilitate inter-agency (DCF, DYS, CBHI, DMH, etc.) collaboration with school-based Special Education Teams
• Facilitate the intake of students from Early Intervention
• Serve as a liaison for students in Out of District Placements
• Maintain appropriate standards of behavior, mutual respect, and safety
• Carry out other related duties as may be designated by the Executive Director and Director of the Office of Special Education
Your Skill Set: As the incoming Psychologist, you will possess many, though perhaps not all, of the following characteristics and qualifications:
• Master's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Massachusetts License: School Psychologist required
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Knowledge of state and federal special education laws and regulations
• Experience working in an urban, multi-cultural school system with a variety of special education service models preferred
How to Join Our Team: Apply online at www.cpsd.us. Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position and stating how you heard about this opportunity. At the Cambridge Public Schools, we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end, we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.