Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Step into a meaningful career as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. This role gives you the chance to teach life‑changing skills that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired navigate the world with greater independence. Each day brings new opportunities to make a strong and lasting difference. Be part of a team dedicated to empowering others! Responsibilities Assessment and Planning: Evaluate customer abilities and needs to develop individualized instructional plans. Instruction Delivery: Provide one‑on‑one or group lessons using experience‑based learning and guided practice. Equipment Selection: Choose appropriate canes, travel aids, and technology to support safe independent travel. Progress Monitoring: Review customer development to ensure steady improvement and successful outcomes. Support and Counseling: Offer guidance to customers and families to reinforce skills and encourage independence. Professional Development: Stay current on orientation and mobility techniques and participate in trainings to strengthen practice. Work Schedule and Compensation Full‑time employment, 7.5‑hour workday. Work hours are negotiable from Monday to Friday, with a 30‑ or 60‑minute lunch break. Alternate work schedules may be available. This position is based in the Wilkes‑Barre District Office, but the caseload area may cover Berks, Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton, and Schuylkill counties. Telework: Opportunity to work from home part‑time after a successful training period. Telework requires a secure high‑speed internet connection and an approved Pennsylvania location. Salary: Starting annual salary of $60,538.00 before taxes for new hires at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Qualifications Successful completion of the Commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program; or Possession of an active Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP); or A bachelor’s or master’s degree or certificate from an approved orientation and mobility program that includes a practicum. Applicants within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree are considered to have met the educational requirements. Additional Requirements The Pennsylvania residency requirement is currently waived for this title. You must be able to perform essential job functions. Legal Requirements This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. A conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal‑history reports, including, but not limited to, Pennsylvania State Police clearance, Pennsylvania Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI fingerprint clearance. How to Apply Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed. Eligibility information must be provided on the application (e.g., detailed experience/education). If claiming education in supplemental application questions, attach a copy of your college transcripts (unofficial transcripts acceptable). Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and missing materials will not be accepted. Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration. Application materials and interview responses must reflect your own experience, qualifications, and work. Use of generative AI tools is permitted only for preparation; misrepresentation or AI use during interviews is prohibited. Refer to the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information. Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center. Your score is based on the detailed information you provide and is valid only for this posting. Incomplete or inaccurate information may lower your score or lead to disqualification. You may only apply/test once for this posting. Results will be provided via email. Veterans Pennsylvania law provides employment preference for qualified veterans for many state and local government jobs. See for details. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) 711 for hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals. Disability Accommodations If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The Commonwealth is an equal‑employment‑opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as it seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. #J-18808-Ljbffr