Associate Director of School Psychology & Behavior Services

Company Description

Who We Are

KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a network of 23 high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools. We educate more than 9,800 students in grades pre-K through eighth in the greater Los Angeles area and San Diego. Additionally, we support approximately 5,100 alumni on their journey to and through high school and college.  

What We Believe

KIPP SoCal believes that the purpose of education is for liberation. This means that we see, develop, and inspire the limitless potential in each and all of our KIPPsters.

What We Do

At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Job Description

KIPP SoCal’s Mental Health & Support Services Department is housed under the Student Services Department and works closely and in tandem with the Special Education Department. The Department consists of over 40 School Counselors (MSWs + LCSWs), 14 School Psychologists, 5 Behavior Interventionists, as well as Mental Health Managers. Our department is grounded in trauma-informed and anti-racist practices. By providing interventions and resources, we support KIPP SoCal’s mission of providing a holistic approach to learning focusing not only on rigorous academics but also character development, enrichment, social-emotional learning, physical and mental health, and affirmation of identity.

Please submit a formal application by following this link

The Opportunity

The Associate Director (AD) of School Psychology and Behavior Services oversees the following:

Leadership, Advocacy, Expertise

• Acts as mental health expert and “face” of the Student Services team providing consultation and guidance with regards to special education services, assessment, and IEP implementation as well as best practices in behavioral intervention and prevention
• Stays up-to-date with district, state, federal laws and policies as they relate to special education, behavior, discipline, and school psychology
• Makes evidence-based and culturally responsive recommendations for the inclusion of mental behavioral health interventions within schools
• Develops and delivers high quality trainings and presentations, both in person and virtually, to various audiences, including school leaders, school counselors, interns, teachers, families, and more
• Collaborates across KIPP SoCal departments to meet goals and deliverables (e.g. Special Education, Academics, Data, etc.)

Management & Hiring

• Acts as Hiring Manager for School Psychologists, Behavior Specialists, and Behavior Technicians, updating job descriptions (when needed), designing interviews and tasks, etc.
• Directly manages School Psychology Manager, limited amount of School Psychologists and entire Behavior Team
• Supervises the implementation of behavioral supports and psychological assessments 
• Collaboratively sets performance goals, metrics, and deliverables to drive the KIPP SoCal mission and Student Services vision
• Participates and co-leads Peer Review meetings with school psychologists
• Evaluate the performance of all assigned direct reports through observations and coaching
• Creates & seeks development opportunities for School Psychologists, Behavior Team
• Maintains and reviews documentation
• May be asked to complete psychoeducational assessments or functional behavior assessments, when needed

Student Safety & Crises

• Like all KIPP SoCal staff, the AD is a mandated reporter
• Collaborate with school administration and counselors to provide training to prevent suicide and bring awareness to grades K-8, per AB2246
• Consult with School Leadership Teams  on Threat Assessments
• Supports with mental health emergencies and is “on-call” when school psychologists/and or Behavioral Specialsts are absent or unavailable
• Experience working with child protective services, providing consultation to school counselors and teams with regards to mandated reporting
• Supports School Counselor and Admin teams with re-entry meetings for unsafe behaviors or