Speech Language Pathologist - Special Education

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type:
Full-time

Base Salary:

$74,212.00

Calendar:

Certified Exempt, 191 workdays

Benefits:

Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay:

Available annually

New Hire Experience:

$500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience

New Hire Education:

$65/hour of graduate level credits: MA +60 hours max; $1000 for advanced degrees (PhD. or Ed.D.)

Job Summary:

To evaluate, diagnose and provide direct therapy and instruction for students to address articulation deficits, voice quality, fluency, and language disorders.

Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona fingerprint clearance card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide screening protocol to identify children with speech/language deficits
• Assist and guide teachers in observing and referring students with suspected speech and/or language deficits
• Administer informal diagnostic techniques and formal standardized norm referenced testing instruments to diagnose and identify students with articulation deficits, voice, fluency, and or language disorders
• Provide diagnostic assessment for preschool children referred for evaluation
• Analyze and interpret testing results to determine need for speech-language services
• Develop speech and language treatment plans to include goals, objectives, methods, frequency, duration, and modifications for regular classroom setting
• Provide a therapeutic program to meet the individual needs of speech/language impaired children
• Develop and maintain a therapeutic environment that promotes learning
• Monitor student learning and pace therapy/instruction accordingly
• Consult with classroom teachers and other staff members to offer suggestions to address speech deficits and determine accommodations within the regular education setting
• Keep meaningful, accurate, legible, ongoing records for individuals receiving speech and language services
• Provide information, support, and counsel to parents of children who have speech and language deficits
• Provide goals, objectives, and progress of each student to parents upon request
• Develop and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with students, parents, teachers, support staff and administration
• Maintain documentation of referred, screened and eligible students
• Document, compile and analyze data to write required reports on speech/language services
• Utilize the District Individualized Education Plan software to write speech and language goals and objectives
• Attend and participate in Individualized Education Plan meetings to provide information make recommendations, and coordinate specific learning objectives
• Provide documentation for Medicaid reimbursable services as verification of services provided
• Submit reports for to meet local and state requirements
• Safeguard confidentiality of student records
• Oversee, coordinate, and plan for speech language pathology assistants as experience allows per Arizona statue
• Serve as an instructional leader in the areas of speech, language, and oral communication
• Participate in team conferences and decisions regarding student need
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology required
• Certificate of Clinical Competence or ASHA recognized Clinical
• Current AZ Department of Health Services Speech and Language Pathology License
• Current AZ Department of Education Certificate
• Supervised fieldwork, often totaling hundreds of hours, in diverse settings such as schools, hospitals, or clinics
• Knowledge of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and school-based services is often expected
• Prior experience as a student intern in a school setting is highly valued
• Understanding of the educational system and the ability to collaborate with teachers, parents, and school staff

Skills & Competencies:

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Demonstrate knowledge of federal, state and local rules, regulations and laws
• Proficiency in evaluating speech, language, voice, fluency, and swallowing disorders using standardized and informal tools
• Skill in identifying and diagnosing conditions like articulation disorders, language delays, and pragmatic language impairments
• Utilizing evidence-based practices for speech and language therapy
• Ability to explain complex speech and language concepts to non-specialists, including teachers and parents
• Working with children who may face frustration due to communication difficulties requires compassion and understanding
• Balancing a caseload of students, scheduling sessions, and managing paperwork efficiently
• Staying current with research and trends in speech-language pathology and educational practices

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Office setting in a district or school building
• Therapy sessions are often conducted in designated speech therapy rooms, classrooms, or shared office spaces
• Frequent interaction with teachers, school psychologists, special education staff, and administrators
• Typically aligned with the school day and calendar, including summer breaks and holidays, though additional time may be required for paperwork or meetings
• Ability to move between classrooms, therapy rooms, and meeting spaces, which may require walking across a school campus
• Occasional lifting of materials or therapy equipment (e.g., books, AAC devices, or visual aids) up to 25 lbs.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.