School Psychologist (070 Endorsement)(Pupil Services Specialist, 35 hours)

Introduction

Unified School District #1 (USD#1) is seeking experienced and qualified individuals for the position of School Psychologist (Pupil Services Specialist) at our Correctional Facilities under the Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC).

This recruitment is continuous and may be used to fill openings in correctional facilities across the state.

We encourage those who possess a School Psychologist (#070) CT Endorsement to apply directly to this recruitment!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• First shift, Monday through Friday
• Full time, 35 hours per week
• These positions may be directed to any one of our facilities based on the candidates Education Endorsement and Department needs.

Note: Candidates selected for hire, are required to attend a fourteen (14) week training at the CT DOC Training Academy. More details can be found in the 'Selection Plan' of this job bulletin.

ABOUT US

The Connecticut Department of Correction is a diverse agency with a wide variety of employees from Correction Officers, to Educators, to Managers and Skilled Professionals. We value differences that make us stronger as a team and support our mission statement.

The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) is the agency responsible for corrections in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The agency operates 13 correctional facilities. It has its headquarters in Wethersfield. The DOC protects public safety by ensuring offenders serve their sentences of imprisonments in facilities that are safe, human, and provide re-entry programming.

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction is a unified system; all sentenced and un-sentenced offenders are supervised by the DOC. The Department also provides supervision for offenders on parole, community release, and other discretionary release programs.

OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT

USD #1 is dedicated to providing quality educational programs for incarcerated individuals. Students are offered academic knowledge, vocational competencies, and life skills integrated with technology in a positive environment to foster lifelong learning, multicultural awareness, and a successful social transition. USD#1 offers an array of academic programming, including:

• K-12 High School Program
• Adult Basic Education (ABE)
• General Education Development (GED)
• Credit Diploma Program (CDP)
• English Second Language (ESL)/ Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and;
• a wide variety of Career-Technical Education (CTE) programs.

Our USD#1 motto is defined by the Latin phrase on the District's seal. The phrase, "Non Sum Qualis Eram," translates into English as "I am not what I once was." The hope is that returning citizens will be provided with some of the core tools required to change their path in life through education.

YOUR ROLE

The School Psychologist will perform a full range of pupil service functions for students within the district that include educational diagnosis, counseling, and psychological services. The School Psychologist will also collaborate with the State School Teachers to offer resources and assist in planning educational programs.

As a School Psychologist, you will have the opportunity to work in the following areas:

Liaison Activities

Acts as a liaison between:

• Students and former education placements
• Outside agencies and local school programs
• The school program and institutional DOC components
• Interested parties and the school programs, particularly as it relates to transition to the community

Direct Service

• Individual and group counseling of students with respect to the social, emotional, and psychological issues related to education; as well as vocational, educational, and career planning
• Uses crises intervention skills to mediate student problems
• Administers and analyzes psychological related assessments
• Creates IEP goals in the areas of self-determination, behavior, and transition
• Prepares and delivers classroom lessons and group presentations related to appropriate vocational, career, and social/emotional topics

General Assessment & Placement

• Assists as needed with the general assessment program at the local site including the collection of information needed for educational and vocational placement and institutional classification
• Administers group and individual achievement and vocational assessment as needed
• Assists in development and administration of the process to make assessment data available for decision making
• Assists the school administrator in the development and implementation of an efficient process for the placement of students into appropriate programs

More details can be found in the class specification.

BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT 

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.

What we can offer you:

• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!

Perks of this job:

• A variety of medical and dental plans;
• Participation in a hybrid retirement plan which provides a retirement benefit, that may include retiree health insurance;
• Option to maintain State of CT Teacher Retirement Plan or enroll in the State Employee Hazardous Duty Retirement System;
• Sick and personal leave;
• Five (5) weeks of scheduled vacation time;
• A $4000 stipend is available pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement;
• Tuition Reimbursement;
• The State of CT is an eligible Public Services Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.

ENHANCED RECIPROCITY

Are you interested in this opportunity but not currently certified in Connecticut?

Enhanced Reciprocity is a newer pathway for out-of-state educators to obtain Connecticut certification through the Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE). As long as Connecticut has an equivalent endorsement, to be eligible for School Psychologist (#070) certification, candidates must verify the award of an appropriate master’s degree in the requested endorsement area.

Reciprocity application information is available with the CT Bureau of Certification and more information about this offering can be found here.

We encourage any School Psychologist who is interested in gaining reciprocity in Connecticut to apply for this recruitment! 

HEAR FROM OUR EMPLOYEES
"USD#1 offers an incredible work-life balance with -hour workdays and no off the clock duties like report writing. Enjoy your nights and weekends again! Unmatched benefits also include a hazard duty pension (25 year instead of 37.5 years), the very best health insurance which also carries over into retirement, a high salary cap of $130,898 for SYD, a yearly summer bonus of $1000, a yearly 070-certification stipend of $4000, tuition reimbursement, PD and travel reimbursement, sabbatical, and much more!" -Anonymous

“When the opportunity to work in Corrections was first presented to me, I was hesitant to consider working in such an environment. I had been in an inner-city public school for five years and felt so fulfilled by the children I worked with. The competitive salary, amazing health care and retirement benefits, and better work-life balance were what attracted me to apply. After being offered the position, I toured the facility and felt comfortable in the setting. Ten years later, I still feel the same fulfillment I felt in the urban elementary school and truly enjoy coming to work each day. It’s a fast-paced setting filled with variety and opportunity for professional growth.” -Lisa B., Manson Youth Institution

"I decided to apply to the Department of Corrections with 8 years of public High School Experience under my belt. The truth is I was totally burnt out being the only School Psychologist at the high school level. My last year in public school, I had 87 evaluations and 178 PPT meetings! I would stay late every day and wake up early on Saturdays to write reports. I have been a school psychologist with USD #1 for 12 years and I am so happy that I made the change from public school to DOC. The salary, health care benefits are far superior to what I received in public school. Additionally, I leave work on time every day and never bring work home." -Michelle N., Manson Youth Institution

"Every day is a challenge, and no two days are ever the same. Working in USD #1 is conducive to having a family, as you are able to leave and be home with your family at a reasonable time. The other school psychologists within the district are easy to work with, provide great support and very knowledgeable about special education. " -Tracey C., MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution

“Being a School Psychologist in USD#1 is a multifaceted position-no two days are the same. We are change agents that are helping our students navigate the needs of secondary education while being incarcerated. With that said, we wear many hats. Although challenging at times, my career here has been fulfilling, knowing that I am able to have an impact on many young men’s lives. Having a growth mindset, flexibility, and a strong work ethic will help you succeed in our district.” -Laurie C., Manson Youth Institution

YOUR FUTURE IS LIMITLESS 

Selection Plan

This is an unclassified recruitment, open to the public.

For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e. Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THIS RECRUITMENT:

• Please include any related endorsements and/or certification and licensure credential details within your application.
• This recruitment may require you to prepare a lesson plan presentation as part of the interview process.
• Be sure to select all locations you are interested and commutable to.
• This is a hazardous duty* position.

*Candidates selected for hire will be required to attend a 14-week hazardous duty training at the Maloney Center for Training & Staff Development located in Cheshire, CT. This training consists of both classroom and on the job training (one day of classroom presentation and nine days of “hands-on” physical training.) The Behavior Management Program training will education on the use of physical force as it applies to self-defense, and the maintenance of order and security within the inmate population. In order to graduate, trainees will be required to pass a written exam, as well as a practical skills test which will be scored.

TO APPLY:

• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
• The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
• Please select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the recruiter listed on this job posting.
• All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

• Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AFTER YOU APPLY:

• This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the questionnaire's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
• Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
• Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
• Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.

CONNECT WITH US:

• Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov
• Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state institution, facility or region within a state unified school district performs professional services within the area of pupil personnel and special education services in a school setting and serves in a resource capacity and consultant to teachers.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Performs services for students in the area of special training such as educational diagnosis, counseling, speech and hearing, social work, or psychological services; 
• Serves in a resource capacity to educational staff and other appropriate individuals; 
• Confers with parents and teachers concerning individual students and assists in planning educational programs; 
• Keeps records and makes necessary reports; 
• May serve as liaison with school systems and community services; 
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • the philosophy and methods of service delivery to the assigned disciplines; 
  • the principles and practices of education and or services for special needs population; 
• Ability to
  • motivate students; 
  • communicate at the appropriate level; 
  • establish cooperative relationships with those contacted in planning educational programs; 
  • prepare written reports; 
  • perform educational testing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A Master's degree which includes a planned program of preparation for the field in which the special services are performed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• State of CT Endorsement #070, School Psychologist
• Experience in the identification and eligibility of Special Education Students
• Experience acting as a liaison between students, former education placements, outside agencies, local school programs, and other interested parties
• Experience with individual counseling of students
• Experience with group counseling of students
• Experience participating and contributing student information as a member of the PPT process
• Experience with promoting student development of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills through counseling and instruction
• Experience monitoring the achievement of IEP and ITP objectives

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must possess an appropriate certificate issued by the Connecticut State Board of Education in special education or special services areas such as school counselor (elementary or secondary), speech and hearing consultant, school psychologist, psychological examiner or school social worker.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a current Connecticut Motor Vehicle operator's license.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS

In addition to the checking of references and of facts stated in the application, a thorough background investigation of each candidate may be made prior to appointment.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.