Program Chair & Director of Clinical Training, School Psychology Chicago Campus

Job Description:

Position Summary:

The Department of School Psychology is seeking a highly qualified, relationally driven candidate for the position of Program Chair & Director of Clinical Training. This full-time administrative position blends two complementary leadership roles – each rooted in collaborative relationships with faculty, students, and professional partners. This position will be based in Chicago and report to the Department Chair of School Psychology who reports to the Dean of the College of Professional Psychology. This is a full-time hybrid position based on the Chicago campus.

The School Psychology department operates two programs: Psy.D. in School Psychology (APA Accredited) and Ed.S. in School Psychology (NASP Accredited). As a Department within The Chicago School, the School Psychology Department is guided by the Engaged Practitioner Model, which is based upon learning through community service and developing “students to be ‘engaged’ and active participants in their communities.” Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong background in providing services within schools and/or clinical settings and a commitment to the professional development of students, faculty, and professional partners through collaborative leadership and supportive mentoring. Candidates who will advance equity, diversity, and inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply.

PROGRAM CHAIR (50%)

Key Areas of Responsibility

Academic Quality & Innovation

• Respond to student concerns with empathy and promptness, fostering a sense of belonging and psychological safety within the department.

• Foster supportive faculty-student relationships by overseeing student development initiatives (e.g., Academic Development Plans) and contributing to a culture of shared accountability and care.

• Partner with academic leaders and faculty to support accreditation efforts, department assessments, and collaborative writing of self-study documents.

Academic Operations

• Support the day-to-day operations of the department through a lens of transparency, trust, and collaboration to ensure quality student experiences are maintained.

• Coordinate course scheduling in partnership with faculty, ensuring alignment between faculty qualifications and expertise and student learning needs.

• Support adjunct faculty engagement with the institution, department, and faculty course leads and alignment with curricular and student needs.

• Represent the department in student-facing events, serving as a relational bridge between students, faculty, and institutional leadership.

Strategic Growth

• Collaborate with admissions and department faculty to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive admissions process to ensure timely review of admissions files and development of materials to support achievement of new student recruiting goals.

• In collaboration with university leadership and department chair, develop and execute a plan for community engagement in support of expanding awareness and driving new student enrollment at The Chicago School.

• Partner with university leaders to identify and address factors contributing to student attrition by fostering a culture of support, responsiveness, and mentorship.

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL TRAINING (50%)

The Director of Clinical Training (DCT) plays a vital mentorship and coordination role in the School Psychology Department, ensuring the success of students’ practicum and internship experiences. In alignment with the accreditation standards from the American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists, the DCT is responsible for cultivating meaningful partnerships with site supervisors, mentoring students through the placement process, and facilitating ongoing collaboration with faculty advisors. Candidates who will advance equity, diversity, and inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with the Associate Director of Clinical Training, oversee EdS and PsyD level practicum and internship emphasizing developmental support and equity in training opportunities

• Develop and maintain coursework that integrates clinical knowledge with ethical practices in the field.

• Build and sustain mutually respectful, trusting relationships with practicum and internship sites through regular outreach, site visits, and open communication.

• Mentor students through the site selection process, providing individualized support with application materials, placement concerns, and professional growth.

• Monitor progress of practicum performance, including evaluations, hour logs, and related paperwork.

• Serve as a resource and advocate for students navigating challenges in their fieldwork settings, providing responsive guidance and partnering on remediation plans when needed.

• Communicate with students, faculty, and field sites regarding professional expectations, accreditation policies, and training opportunities. Stay up to date of evolving APPIC, APA and NASP training standards and implement these in ways that inform and strengthen the department’s clinical training model.

Position Qualifications:

• Successful candidates must have a doctorate in School Psychology.

• Be state or nationally certified School Psychologist and/or Licensed Psychologist (Illinois)

• Record of administrative experience preferably in higher education.

• Teaching and/or professional experience in the field of School psychology.

• Prior experience with supervision and/or training of graduate level students.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $85,000 - $100,000 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

https://www.thechicagoschool.edu/career-opportunities/

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.