Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Leader Dogs for the Blind, based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been making people unstoppable for 80 years, empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel.

Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance after 90 days of employment
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid disability insurance
• 401k with employer match
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment
• Annual merit pay increases
• Workout room access
• Dog friendly office

This position is responsible for the delivery of Orientation and Mobility services to Leader Dog clients, employees, associated professionals and community. The position will also be responsible for the supervision of O&M interns.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Assesses client orientation and mobility levels, determines needs, recommends services and conducts training to meet needs. Assesses and recommends the client's need for services of related professionals.
• Provides field services to O&M clients in home, school and work environments. Provides education and awareness on Leader Dog services to the community.
• Provides location technology instructional services to clients, including GPS and other adapted devices.
• Provides management and direct instruction to university O&M interns and practicum students.
• Manages all case related documentation and correspondence in a timely manner. Maintains data on applicants, services rendered and post graduate activity. Responsible for monitoring follow-up and providing additional training as needed.
• Participates in the development of department goals, objectives and systems. Evaluates effectiveness of services, recommends improvements and executes new approaches in a continuous cycle of quality improvement.
• As needed, participates in the admission process and recommends client acceptance into the Leader Dog program.
• Takes leadership in the ongoing development and implementation of all O&M and guide dog client and professional related services and training materials.
• Participates in all Summer Experience Camp activities.
• Actively recruits, develops and maintains relationships on behalf of Leader Dog with O&M and other related professionals.
• Provides other services and additional duties as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree required from an accredited university. Master's degree preferred.
• Must have current Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS®) Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professions (ACVREP) certification.
• At least two years preferred of professional experience in O&M supervision of interns preferred and current dual certification in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (CVRT®) preferred.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Ability to effectively monitor the safety of clients during instruction.
• Proficient in latest version of Microsoft Office products.
• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• Interpersonal skills and ability to instruct people who are blind or visually impaired in a respectful and effective manner.
• Must have a thorough knowledge of orientation and mobility principles and techniques and maintain current certification in O&M.
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills and have the ability to be organized and maintain detailed records and be comfortable providing education and instruction programs to students, management and the community.
• Aptitude for and ability to develop and administer new programs as well as develop and modify curriculum design.
• Aptitude for coordination of camp activities for teens with visual impairments.
• Knowledgeable of applicable safety and health policies, be able to read and interpret technical journals, legal documents and provide accurate reports.
• Aptitude and ability to use assistive technology such as JAWS, GPS, etc.
• Ability to interpret eye pathology reports.
• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• Possess a valid driver's license with no restrictions and the ability to travel as needed.
• Comfortable with and willing to work around large dogs.
• Willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees that promote positive teamwork, as well as with volunteers, donors, clients and all constituents of Leader Dog. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

Physical demands include:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, crouch, kneel and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use the phone, and drive. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds. Must regularly be able to independently travel distances consistent with training requirements for our clients in a variety of weather conditions.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at-will employer. This means that the employment relationship may be ended at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason. Neither this document, nor any manual issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, is a contract of employment.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to accessibility, inclusion, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation or an accessible application format may contact View email address on click.appcast.io for assistance.