INTERNSHIP / CONTRACTED ASSIGNMENT: Contracted internship opportunity - multiple / various locations

 

CONTRACTED AMOUNT: $40,000 annual maximum paid via eight (8) stipends.  The stipend will be divided into eight (8) equal payments of $5,000 each.  The first payment of $5,000 will be made upon the completion of one-eighth of the required hours, as set by the college/university (a minimum of 150 hours) with each subsequent payment of $5,000 made upon the completion of each additional 150 hours.  The 8^th and final payment will be made at the end of the program, once the full required hours are completed (a minimum of 1,200 hours).

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:  The School Psychologist Intern will be under the general supervision of an assigned CSIU 16 certified school psychologist who will serve as the interns’ Field Supervisor in coordination with their respective university-assigned Program Coordinator. 

 

SCOPE OF INTERNSHIP: The successful intern candidate will complete a year-long internship comprised of no fewer than 1,200 accrued hours within the scope of a school calendar year, with a minimum of 600 hours completed in K-12 settings.  While receiving direct, on-site supervision from experienced practitioners, the School Psychologist Intern will be provided with the opportunity to gain culturally diverse experience within traditional public-school settings.  Additionally, the School Psychologist Intern will provide services and support to students across uniquely specialized Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit educational programs and classrooms, including early intervention, deaf/hard of hearing, alternative placement and transition programming.  Training experiences and responsibilities will be aligned to those recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) alongside individual university site requirements.  The School Psychologist Intern will gain experiences in the evaluation of students referred by local education agencies as thought-to-be exceptional students and to participate in the reevaluation process as required by state and federal special education laws. The School Psychologist Intern will engage in consultation with Early Intervention, Equitable Participation, public schools, IU16 personnel and programs, parents/guardians/surrogates and agencies.  The School Psychologist Intern will participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team and will promote the understanding of developmental expectations of students to increase learning and achievement, appropriate behavior and social functioning. They will also provide consultation and direct services, under the direction of an assigned school psychologist, to at-risk and/or identified students requiring prevention and/or crisis intervention services.  Relative to the position, the intern participates in various teams and activities as needed and/or requested.

 

At the expiration of the contracted internship opportunity, there is no guarantee of an employment offer from the CSIU. 

 

ESSENTIAL INTERSNHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

1. Conduct school-based multidisciplinary evaluations and related assessments of referred students
   1. Obtain, review, interpret, and report student data;
   2. Interview parents and staff as appropriate;
   3. Observe children in relevant settings;
   4. Analyze and interpret all data collected;
   5. Author comprehensive written reports;
   6. Present evaluation findings and recommendations to parents and staff;
   7. Participate in team and building-level proactive, preventative, and problem-solving processes (e.g., Multi-Tiered Systems of Support [MTSS]; school-wide positive behavior support [SWPBIS]; etc) at designated schools.

 

2. Consultation
   1. Provide direct and indirect consultation to faculty, staff, and students toward development and maintenance of educational / behavioral programs for children;
   2. Collaborated and respond with other educators and providers to deal with crisis situations and/or to address specific problems or issues such as bullying, school climate, drug use and abuse, behavior support, etc.;
   3. Participate as a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE) and Individualized Educational Program (IEP) teams to determine programs for eligible young children, as needed;
   4. Function as a member of the IEP team to develop and/or revise the IEP, develop and/or revise a Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP), to do a Manifestation Determination (MD) review, to assist with discipline reviews, etc.;

 

3. Provide consultative services to district and/or IU16 personnel, families, and agencies.
   1. Consults with teachers, other school staff, and parents about ways to facilitate learning and adjustment for individual or groups of students;
   2. Work with the school personnel to accomplish identified program goals and objectives.
   3. Conduct individual, group or facilitative therapy;
   4. Attends meetings as needed for students with special needs;

 

4. Comply with Federal, State and Local regulations, guidelines and policies.
   1. Comply with the National Association of School Psychologists Principles for Professional Ethics;
   2. Accurately completes all required paperwork (ACCESS billing, reports, etc.) within the designated timelines.

 

NON-ESSENTIAL INTERNSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES: Performs other responsibilities as may be assigned by the School Psychologist or the university-assigned Program Coordinator.

 

EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• A Master’s degree in a related discipline (e.g., educational psychology) and completion of all post-masters, specialist-level graduate coursework (e.g., Ed.S., C.A.G.S.) and related pre-service training in school psychology.  Current enrollment in an accredited school psychology graduate-level program working towards initial Pennsylvania state certification and/or Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credentials.  Continual satisfactory completion of university requirements to maintain eligibility for this internship.
• Knowledge of child psychology principles, assessments, methods, behavior modification, MTSS etc., and current developments.
• Thorough knowledge regarding current and relevant assessment instruments and procedures, including NASP guidelines for best practices.
• Advanced skill in administering, scoring, and interpreting test results.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Advanced writing skills, particularly in report writing.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication and interpersonal skills are necessary to properly maintain open channels of communication with agencies, school districts, parents, members of higher education institutions, etc.
• Computer experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, data entry, email and experience managing file sharing with Google Drive.
• Adept at using virtual meeting platforms such as Skype, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. 
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding education programs, students and parents at all times adhering to the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements to protect CSIU staff and student data.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a responsible and professional manner.

 

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Current, approved Act 34 (PA State Police), Act 151 (PA Child Abuse Registry) and Act 114-FBI Fingerprint clearances are required and must be renewed at appropriate, specific intervals pursuant to Act 153 of 2014 (revised Act 15 of 2015).
• Current, approved Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training certificate showing completion of a minimum of three (3) hours training every five (5) years.
• Proof of independent liability insurance.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Attend trainings to keep abreast of current trends, best practices regarding instruction and research to ensure quality special education programs and related services.
2. Attend scheduled meetings, participate in local and state training that is pertinent to their internship and participate in Bureau of Special Education Initiatives, Bureau of Early Intervention Services, and CSIU-sponsored activities.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Strength and ability to lift, move, or transport testing materials/computer/other equipment up to approximately 50 pounds.
• Perform light physical education activities with students including, bending, light exercise, throwing, hitting a ball, etc.
• Navigate the hallways (which may be filled with students) quickly in the event of an altercation.
• Sedentary: Able to sit for extended periods of time, occasional walking, standing (as necessary) and able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity: Finger movements (computer keyboard, calculator), eye-hand coordination (office equipment, etc.).
• Audio-Visual Requirements: Within normal range with or without correction.
• Is able to move throughout all buildings, floors and grounds.
• Worksite Environment: Primarily indoors-office setting with occasional exposure to outdoor elements/climate during the day.
• Mental demands: Steady response to unpredictable situations, ability to remain calm and productive during stressful situations.
• Demonstrates independent judgment, discretion and is able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

 

TIME AND SITE REQUIREMENTS:  

1. This is a one (1) year-in-length, contract paid internship, consisting of a minimum requirement of 1,200 hours following a schedule as established by the CSIU and in collaboration with the applicable college/university. This could include some evening work; five days.  At the expiration of the contracted internship opportunity, there is no guarantee of additional contracted service or an employment offer from the CSIU.
2. Overnight travel to attend and provide seminars and workshops.
3. Attendance at work is a requirement of this position; the immediate supervisor must approve any and all absences.
4. The ability to provide own means of transportation and/or travel unassisted to various school district buildings, CSIU classroom and program locations and professional meetings during the work day as required.

 

CSIU PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. All property, including intellectual property, materials, equipment or actual products and services developed or accrued as part of the intern duties and responsibilities listed above, is the property of the CSIU. It may not be used for personal profit or gain and will be relinquished to the CSIU upon termination of this contract for services from the CSIU.
2. The person employed in this position shall maintain confidentiality with regard to the personal and private information about clients and coworkers, programs and services and any other proprietary information accrued as a result of CSIU employment or as required by state or federal laws and regulations.
3. The person employed in this position must adhere to all requirements identified in the code of professionalism entitled "Ambassadors Are Professionals, Too" and CSIU Administrative Regulation 317-AR-1 CSIU Service Standards.