Orientation and Mobility Specialist

**This position is open until filled**

Part time employment would be considered

Teacher- Orientation and Mobility

• Certified

Purpose Statement

Provides itinerant orientation and mobility services to visually impaired students in order to improve mobility and independent functioning. Assesses visually impaired students to determine eligibility for service. Provides consultative service to school staff and parents within the Campbell County School District. Participates in the multi-disciplinary team process and individual educational programming activities for students where relevant.


Essential Functions

• Participates in the diagnostic and Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for all students suspected of being visually impaired; evaluates students in the areas of orientation and mobility.
• Provides training and direct instruction in orientation and mobility techniques and in the use of orientation and mobility materials and devices including visual efficiency skills, utilization of residual vision, concept and sensory development, spatial orientation, familiarization to environments, and utilization of tactile, visual and auditory maps.
• Trains students on the necessary skills, which enable them to navigate familiar and unfamiliar environments, including school buildings and facilities, offices, community businesses and public areas; trains students on self-advocacy and how to handle emergencies.
• Collaborates with teachers and assists in the development and implementation of the IEP as it relates to orientation and mobility services; works with teachers of the visually impaired to conduct functional vision assessments and learning media assessments as it relates to independent travel.
• Develops long-term and short-term goals for each student; monitors student progress and adjusts goals as needed; maintains records of evaluations on student progress.
• Works with administrators, teachers, and other educational staff to support the implementation of students' IEPs; collaborates with teachers and other school personnel to develop and implement strategies for students receiving orientation and mobility services.
• Designs, implements orientation, and mobility instruction based on assessment and observation of students; collects and maintains data to document and evaluate progress.
• Serves as a resource person to special education teachers and other professional/paraprofessional staff members engaged in the delivery of programs and services to visually impaired students.
• Keeps abreast of new developments and techniques in orientation and mobility.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• federal, state and local mandates governing the implementation of special education programs.
• laws and regulations that affect orientation and mobility services.
• principles, techniques, equipment, and literature used in providing orientation and mobility services.
• major theories and intervention strategies with educational implications for students with visual impairments.
• effective behavior management skills and training techniques.
• how to prepare and use equipment and materials, such as tactile maps, models, optical devices, pre-canes, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and long canes for the development of orientation and mobility skills.
• braille, basic orientation, mobility, and adaptive technology skills.
• professional resources pertinent to the orientation and mobility profession.
• basic principles of learning theories and their implications for orientation and mobility training.
• how to plan and conduct orientation and mobility assessments and programs.

Ability

• Demonstrated ability to :
• provide effective orientation and mobility training.
• develop effective treatment plans and service.
• provide for student safety during orientation and mobility instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during orientation and mobility training.
• provide orientation of new buildings and class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed.
• document progress and relate it to students' goals and objectives.
• use assistive technology with students with visual impairments.
• appropriately and correctly model orientation and mobility techniques for students, parents, teachers, and other school staff.
• maintain accurate records.
• assess the effectiveness of activities.
• use a personal computer.
• understand and follow oral or written directions.
• communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Education, Training, and Experience

Certificates/Licenses

• Possession of a valid Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

OR

• Possession of a valid National Orientation Mobility certificate (NOMC) issued by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.
• Other certification considered
• Valid driver's license

Experience: Job related experience is required.


Education (Minimum): Bachelor's degree in job-related area.


Required Testing: None Specified


Continuing Educ. / Training: None Specified


FLSA Status: Exempt


Clearances: None Specified


Approval Date:

Revised Date:

Salary Grade: