Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Salary

$60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually

Location

Erie County, PA

Job Type

Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

CS-2026-53854-44920

Department

Department of Labor & Industry

Division

LI BBVS Erie Dstr Off

Opening Date

07/14/2026

Closing Date

7/27/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

44920

Position Number

00262776

Union

SEIU

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST07

Bureau / Division Code

00126460

Bureau / Division

BBVS Erie Dstr Off

Worksite Address

4200 LOVELL PL

City

Erie, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

16503

Contact Name

Felicia Newbury

Contact Email

View email address on click.appcast.io

THE POSITION

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!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides essential rehabilitation services that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired build skills for confident and independent living. As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• 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

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are negotiable, Monday - Friday, with a 30 or 60-minute lunch depending on work hours. AWS (alternate work schedule) may be available.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Erie. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• 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 college or university program in orientation and mobility that includes a practicum.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• PA 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.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date . Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

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.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek 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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.