Hourly Psychologist

As an Hourly Psychologist at Arlington Public Schools, you'll engage with students across grades Pre-K to 12, providing counseling and program planning. You'll need to utilize psychological instruments effectively and ensure compliance with special education laws. Working closely with students and families from diverse backgrounds is crucial, as is the ability to communicate clearly both in writing and verbally.

To qualify for the Hourly Psychologist position at Arlington Public Schools, you must have or be eligible for Virginia licensure as a school psychologist. Experience working directly with students and strong knowledge of Special Education laws in Virginia are essential. Bilingual candidates and those with dual endorsements in areas such as ESL or Special Education are preferred but not mandatory.

The hourly salary for an Hourly Psychologist at Arlington Public Schools is $47.73, based on the FY2023-24 salary schedule. This competitive hourly rate reflects the important work of supporting student mental health and educational success.

For the Hourly Psychologist role at Arlington Public Schools, strong technology skills are necessary. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, is essential for managing documentation, reports, and communication with staff and families.

Candidates for the Hourly Psychologist position at Arlington Public Schools should have significant experience working as a school psychologist, including direct counseling with students and program planning for families. Knowledge of community resources and effective collaboration with staff from diverse backgrounds enhances your candidacy.

In answering this question, highlight your experience working with multi-ethnic populations and your strategies for establishing trust. Discuss your cultural competency and how you adapt your counseling techniques to meet the specific needs of each student.

Be prepared to discuss the specific psychological assessments you have utilized in previous roles. Explain your understanding of each instrument’s purpose, how you administer them, and how you interpret the results to benefit student development.

Choose an example that illustrates your problem-solving skills and ability to work collaboratively. Describe the challenge, your thought process, actions taken, and the positive outcome that benefited the students involved.

Discuss your knowledge of IDEA and Section 504, emphasizing your approach to staying updated on legislation. Explain how you advocate for student needs based on these laws, ensuring that all required documentation and processes are followed.

Talk about the importance of collaboration with parents as part of a holistic approach to student success. Highlight strategies you use to engage parents and families in the process, ensuring open communication and support.

Discuss specific programs you have developed or contributed to in your past roles. Highlight your process for identifying student needs, working with staff and families, and evaluating program effectiveness.

Emphasize your understanding of confidentiality laws and ethical considerations in your role. Share strategies you adopt to protect student information while still communicating necessary details with authorized staff.

Share your techniques for establishing trust, which could include active listening, empathy, and showing genuine interest in student experiences. Discuss how you create a safe and comfortable environment for students to share.

Talk about your strategies for engaging resistant students, including patience, persistence, and understanding their perspectives. Emphasize the importance of building a relationship before diving into more sensitive issues.

Share your beliefs about the school psychologist's role in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional development. Highlight your commitment to collaboration, advocacy, and promoting a positive school culture.