Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Description

The Maryland School for the Blind has two openings for Orientation & Mobility Specialist, as soon as this school year!

• Now offering a $2500 retention bonus!*

New grads, seasoned COMS, and anyone in between are encouraged to apply!

SUMMARY : With supervision, provides Orientation and Mobility services to children birth - 21 years of age and/or adult clients.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential Functions:

• Evaluates, develops educational programs based on Orientation and Mobility (O&M) curriculum, implements instruction, monitors and reports on student (IEP) O&M programs on and off campus throughout the State of Maryland.
• Conducts in-service training programs on individual and group basis and disseminates O&M information to others.
• Acts as an active department member, sharing responsibilities and workload.
• Participates in necessary school and student meetings and completes related paperwork, adhering to established deadlines, using proper punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Transports students in personal vehicle to training sites.
• Stands and walks frequently, for lengthy periods of time; pushes and pulls in excess of 100 pounds and lifts up to 50 pounds without assistance; physically handles and assists other persons in the performance of daily living activities.
• Speaks clearly and effectively with students, parents and colleagues.
• Evaluate and teach all forms of public transportation.

CONDITIONS:

Equipment Used: A variety of canes and adaptive mobility devices, a variety of low vision devices, iPad, smartphones & apps, recording systems, GPS devices, Braille writer, map making equipment, vehicle, keyboard/computer equipment.

Performance Standard: Must assume 100% commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary service delivery model. Must assume 100% commitment to work with parents. Must also assure compliance with all health, safety, and program standards.

Work Environment: Multiple indoor and outdoor environments on and off campus with varying sound, lighting, and temperature conditions.

Work Schedule: 35 day/evening hours per week with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break; flextime within the workday is frequently required. This position follows the standard ten-month school schedule (with the additional requirement to cover summer programming, if needed).

Pay Rate: $50,143 - $101,182 (30 hour per week position) or $60,000 - $119,522 (35 hour per week position) and commensurate with education & experience, in keeping with the MSB Teachers & Related Service Providers Pay Scale. Relocation reimbursement available for qualified candidates, as well as a retention bonus of $2500 after one year of service.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Requires a minimum of O&M Certification by a recognized University Program or Bachelor's Degree in O&M; is ACVREP certified or certifiable in the field of Orientation & Mobility. (ACVREP Certification must be obtained by the beginning of the 2nd year.)
• Comprehensive knowledge of O&M techniques and teaching approaches and their application to the instruction of students with multiple disabilities and visual impairments/blindness.
• General knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the eye including eye diseases and conditions.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record required. Business insurance is required within first month of employment.

After six months in this position, the employee is required to have:

• General knowledge and application of departmental responsibilities, philosophies, and expectations.
• General knowledge and application of MSB related paperwork.
• Comprehensive knowledge of assigned students' O&M program needs.
• Certification in TCI and First Aid/CPR (provided by MSB).
• Ability to cope with problems in the focused area of responsibility, and to determine when to refer non-routine problems to supervisor.