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13.5: California Employment

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    Job Descriptions & Qualifications School-Based Roles in California

    Schools employ various specialists to support students' academic, social, emotional, and physical needs. Below are the job descriptions and qualifications for professionals working in a school setting in California.

    School Psychologist

    Job Description:

    • Conduct psychological and academic assessments to identify learning and emotional needs.
    • Develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students receiving special education services.
    • Provide counseling and crisis intervention for students.
    • Support behavioral interventions and positive behavior plans.
    • Work with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a supportive learning environment.

    Qualifications:

    • Master’s or Specialist degree (M.A., M.S., or Ed.S.) in School Psychology.
    • Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Psychology (required in California).
    • Supervised internship (1,200+ hours) in a school setting.
    • Live Scan fingerprinting and background check.

    Resource Teacher (Special Education Teacher)

    Job Description:

    • Provide specialized instruction to students with disabilities.
    • Develop and implement IEPs based on student needs.
    • Adapt and modify curriculum and teaching strategies.
    • Collaborate with general education teachers to support students in inclusive classrooms.
    • Monitor student progress and adjust interventions accordingly.

    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Education or Special Education.
    • California Education Specialist Credential (Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe).
    • CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test).
    • CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers) may be required.
    • CLAD (Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development) certification.

    School Librarian

    Job Description:

    • Manage the school library collection and resources.
    • Teach research, literacy, and digital media skills.
    • Assist students and teachers with finding and using educational materials.
    • Organize reading programs and literacy events.

    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Library Science, Education, or a related field.
    • Teacher Librarian Services Credential (required in California).
    • Master’s degree in Library Science (preferred but not required).

    School Counselor

    Job Description:

    • Provide academic, college, and career counseling.
    • Support students’ mental health and social-emotional development.
    • Help students develop coping skills, conflict resolution, and positive relationships.
    • Facilitate group and individual counseling sessions.
    • Assist with college applications, scholarships, and career planning.

    Qualifications:

    • Master’s degree in School Counseling or a related field.
    • Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling.
    • Supervised internship or practicum experience.

    School Social Worker

    Job Description:

    • Provide mental health support and crisis intervention.
    • Help students facing homelessness, abuse, neglect, or family issues.
    • Connect families with community resources.
    • Assist in the development of behavior intervention plans.

    Qualifications:

    • Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW).
    • Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in Social Work.
    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification (preferred but not required for school-based roles).

    Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

    Job Description:

    • Assess and treat students with speech, language, and communication disorders.
    • Work with students with articulation, fluency, voice, and swallowing difficulties.
    • Develop individualized therapy plans and collaborate with teachers and parents.
    • Provide Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) support.

    Qualifications:

    • Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
    • California SLP License from the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board (SLPAB).
    • Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA (preferred).
    • Supervised Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) (9 months).

    Occupational Therapist (OT)

    Job Description:

    • Help students with fine motor skills, handwriting, and sensory processing.
    • Support students with autism, ADHD, and physical disabilities in daily activities.
    • Conduct evaluations and develop Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
    • Recommend adaptive equipment and classroom modifications.

    Qualifications:

    • Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy.
    • California OT License from the California Board of Occupational Therapy (CBOT).
    • National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification.
    • Supervised fieldwork (minimum 24 weeks).

    Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Specialist

    Job Description:

    • Modify physical education (PE) programs for students with disabilities.
    • Support gross motor skills, strength, and coordination.
    • Assess students’ physical fitness and mobility needs.
    • Collaborate with general PE teachers and special education teams.

    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, Kinesiology, or a related field.
    • California Teaching Credential in Physical Education.
    • Adaptive Physical Education Added Authorization (APEAA).
    • Supervised student teaching in an adapted PE setting.

    Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) – Entry-Level Behavior Specialist

    Job Description:

    • Work under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
    • Implement Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques.
    • Support students with autism and behavioral challenges in classroom settings.
    • Collect behavioral data and track student progress.

    Qualifications:

    • High school diploma or bachelor’s degree (preferred).
    • Completion of 40-hour RBT training program.
    • Pass the RBT certification exam from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

    Behavior Specialist

    Job Description:

    • Assess students' behavioral and emotional needs.
    • Develop Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) based on Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA).
    • Train teachers, aides, and parents in behavior management techniques.
    • Implement crisis intervention strategies and Behavioral Restraint Training (BRT).
    • Collaborate with IEP teams to support students with disabilities.

    Qualifications:

    • Bachelor’s degree in psychology, education, behavior analysis, or a related field.
    • RBT certification (preferred for entry-level roles).
    • Master’s degree in Special Education, Behavioral Science, or Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) (preferred for higher-level roles).
    • Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification (required for advanced positions).
    • Live Scan fingerprinting and background check.

    This page titled 13.5: California Employment was last modified on Thu, 20 Nov 2025 04:14:24 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kerry Diaz and Tenessa Sanchez.