Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Sign on Bonus! Generous PTO and Benefits. New graduates welcome to apply! Relocation assistance provided.

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it's a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have an exciting full time career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist. The Orientation and Mobility Specialist is responsible for assessing consumers travel skills in various environments to help determine their instructional needs/preferences pertaining to their unique home environments. The Orientation and Mobility Specialist will plan lessons based on assessment findings in content areas of the orientation and mobility curriculum employing appropriate tools, techniques, and communication preferences.

Salary: $75,000.00-$85,000.00 annually, based on experience, education, and certification.

This position is in-person based out of our Training Building in Sands Point, NY. The regular schedule is 8am-3:45pm EST for a 35-hour work week. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide instruction in safe and efficient travel skills; specifically, indoor techniques including human guide, self-protection, and cane skills on campus to consumers.
• Evaluate progress of students and submits scheduled written reports (assessment, training and transition).
• Keep abreast of and evaluate current O&M research, teaching methods and aids. If appropriate, recommend and implement these methods or aids into student programs and services.
• Suggest need for appropriate material and equipment.
• When assigned, provide in-service training for staff members and others regarding orientation and mobility training for DeafBlind individuals.
• Accompany and provide human guide and/or communication support for consumers and professional staff members when assigned. To accomplish this, it may be required to use personal vehicle on occasion

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in Blind Rehabilitation with an emphasis in Orientation and Mobility required.

PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Two years' experience teaching orientation and mobility preferred. Knowledge of braille and sign language preferred.

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:

• $2,500.00 sign on bonus after 6 months of continuous employment.
• Relocation Assistance
• Fully Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits*
• 4 week's Paid Vacation time annually
• 2 Paid Personal Days annually
• 12 paid sick days annually
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Short Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• 403b Program with Employer Match
• Voluntary Ancillary Benefits
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance Program

*Candidate has the option to accept the position No-Frills. No-frills positions receive an additional 10% premium on the hourly rate of pay, but do not participate in the Union Health Insurance Plan. Individuals seeking a No-frills position must show they have alternative insurance to be eligible.

HKS is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodation to individuals with illness, injury, or disability to complete the essential functions of their job.