Director, School Psychology (Elementary)

Job description

Position Overview: The Regional Director of School Psychology, Elementary Schools is a key leader within KIPP NYC’s Student Support Services team, responsible for strengthening behavioral, mental health, and special education systems across a portfolio of elementary schools. Reporting to the Senior Director of Special Education, the Regional Director partners closely with school leaders, Directors of Student Support Services, school psychologists, social workers, and regional teams to develop sustainable systems of support that improve outcomes for students with disabilities and students requiring behavioral and social-emotional interventions. The Regional Director plays a critical role in designing and strengthening Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), developing school-based leaders and educators, ensuring compliance with special education requirements, and building the capacity of school teams to implement evidence-based interventions. This role requires a strategic, systems-oriented leader who combines deep clinical expertise with a strong belief in the potential of every student and a commitment to educational equity. This is a full-time position with a hybrid schedule, requiring a minimum of three in-person days per week based out of our KIPP NYC Midtown Manhattan office. The role also includes travel to KIPP NYC campuses across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. The cadence and frequency of school visits will be determined by your leadership team. Duties and Responsibilities: General responsibilities include (but are not limited to): Behavioral Assessment & Intervention Oversee the quality and implementation of Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) across a portfolio of schools Provide coaching, consultation, and feedback to school-based staff to strengthen behavioral assessment and intervention practices Provide direct clinical support in complex or high-need cases requiring advanced expertise Develop recommendations related to behavioral, cognitive, and academic supports for students Partner with school teams to implement evidence-based behavioral interventions and monitor effectiveness over time Support school-wide initiatives related to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Restorative Practices, Collaborative Problem Solving, and other behavior support frameworks Promote asset-based approaches to supporting students with disabilities and challenge deficit-based narratives through coaching, professional development, and consultation Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of MTSS frameworks across schools. Support schools in developing tiered intervention systems, universal screening processes, progress monitoring structures, and data-driven decision-making practices Build the capacity of school-based teams to identify student needs, match students to appropriate interventions, and monitor intervention effectiveness Partner with school leaders to strengthen Child Study Team structures and practices Ensure school teams use data effectively to drive intervention planning and student support decisions Collaborate with the Regional Director of School Psychology and other Student Support Services leaders to ensure alignment of MTSS practices across the network Provide MTSS consultation and support to high school teams as needed Leadership Development & Professional Learning Coach and develop school-based leaders, school psychologists, teachers, and Student Support Services teams Design and facilitate professional development focused on behavioral interventions, MTSS implementation, special education compliance, and student support best practices Build sustainable school-based capacity through ongoing coaching, consultation, and systems development Observe school-based practices and provide actionable feedback to strengthen implementation fidelity Provide clinical supervision for school psychology interns and/or oversee supervision structures for school-based psychology trainees Special Education Compliance & Student Support Partner with the compliance manager and Directors of Student Support Services to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local special education regulations Support schools with all aspects of IEP development, implementation, monitoring, and compliance Provide guidance regarding Section 504 plans and related compliance requirements Support schools during audits, reviews, and compliance monitoring processes Maintain strong working knowledge of special education regulations, procedural safeguards, and best practices Collaborate with school teams to ensure students receive appropriate services and supports in the least restrictive environment Related Services & External Partnerships Maintain working knowledge of the related services landscape and support schools in navigating provider relationships and coordination Partner with Department of Education personnel and external stakeholders to support school-based needs Support school teams in coordinating services and resolving challenges related to service delivery Serve as a resource for schools navigating complex special education and related services systems School & Family Partnership Participate in Child Study Team meetings, IEP meetings, manifestation determination reviews, and other student support meetings as needed Partner with families to review assessment results, discuss recommendations, and support student success Serve as an advocate for students and families throughout the special education process Build strong relationships with school leaders, staff, and families to ensure coordinated support for students Consult with Principals, Deans, Directors of Student Support Services, and other school-based leaders regarding student needs and intervention planning Graduate degree in School Psychology required (Master’s, Ed.S., or Doctoral degree) Eligible for or currently holding New York State certification in School Psychology Minimum of five years of successful experience as a school psychologist Deep expertise in behavioral assessment, intervention design, and progress monitoring Strong knowledge of Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs), Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), and evidence-based behavioral interventions Deep understanding of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and experience building or strengthening tiered support systems Strong knowledge of special education regulations, compliance requirements, and best practices Experience supporting IEP development, implementation, and monitoring Experience designing and facilitating professional development for adult learners Demonstrated success coaching and developing educators and school leaders Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing FBAs, BIPs, 504 plans, evaluation reports, and other compliance documentation Skilled in advocacy, collaboration, and navigating complex educational systems on behalf of students and families Familiarity with the NYC DOE related services system and experience supporting schools in coordinating services preferred Experience working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder preferred BCBA or BCBA-D certification preferred Deep commitment to educational equity and an unwavering belief in the potential of all students Commitment to asset-based practices and inclusive educational environments Demonstrates KIPP NYC’s core values of zest, grit, hope, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor Passion for being part of a collaborative, mission-driven organization focused on improving outcomes for students and families Compensation & Benefits: KIPP NYC offers a salary ranging from $105,060 - $131,840 per year. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity, accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities, and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band. KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package, including, but not limited to, the following: Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision. 403(b) retirement plan with a 50% match after 6 months. Generous Time-Off aligned with the school calendar Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave. Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care. Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term/Long-term disability. Employee incentives include 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement. This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee. This is a full-time, in-person role based in New York City and will require travel to our schools. If you are not in a school-based position, the cadence and frequency of travel to schools is determined by your leadership team. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. It is important that you notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate. KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. About KIPP NYC: Founded in 1995, KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful, academically excellent schools where every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. From our first middle school, KIPP Academy in the Bronx, to today’s network of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, and one high school, KIPP NYC provides students with engaging academics, arts, athletics, and social–emotional learning that prepare them for college, career, and beyond. Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. Through KIPP Forward, we continue to support our alumni as they navigate college, career, and life, helping them define success on their own terms and pursue the paths that align with their goals and sense of purpose. Together, we serve more than 9,400 students, supported over 4,700 alumni, and employ more than 1,100 dedicated team members who bring passion, expertise, and commitment to our mission every day.