Orientation & Mobility Specialist

ABOUT THE SCHOOL:

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 230 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Orientation and Mobility Specialist provides specialized instruction to students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities to develop safe, effective, and age-appropriate orientation and mobility skills. This position assesses individual student needs, provides direct instruction in natural and school-based environments, and supports skills ranging from sighted guide techniques to power mobility, as appropriate. The specialist collaborates with educational team members, develops and monitors individualized goals, and promotes student independence, safety, and participation across school environments.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Working Schedule: Monday to Thursday either 8:15a-3:30p or 7:45a-3:00p; Fridays 8:00a-3:00p

Compensation: based upon bargaining unit agreement, pertaining to a candidate's education and experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To assess and instruct students in skills pertaining to orientation and mobility
  
  
  
  • Slighted guide up through Power Mobility, if appropriate
  • Provide direct instruction in a natural setting while embedding visual efficiency skills
  
  
  
  
• To consult and collaborate with staff regarding student needs and performance throughout the school year as a participant on the Educational Team
• To create and implement individualized education programs
  
  
  
  • Collect, analyze, and report upon student progress.
  
  
  
  
• To maintain a safe environment for students and co-workers
• To adhere to personnel guidelines and School policies

An Equal Opportunity Employer

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
• Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) preferred, ACVREP Certification
• Master's degree in Education preferred, dual certification is a plus (TVI/COMS)
• Knowledge of educating students with multiple disabilities, including visual impairments

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, transfer, reposition, and provide physical assistance to students weighing up to 50 pounds, utilizing appropriate lifting techniques and assistive equipment when available.
• Ability to safely perform personal care duties, including toileting, diapering, feeding assistance, hygiene, dressing, and mobility support throughout the school day.
• Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, squat, reach, climb stairs, and transition between floor-level and standing positions while providing direct student support.
• Ability to escort, guide, and physically assist students during classroom activities, transitions, community-based instruction, recess, lunch, transportation, and emergency situations.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to student behavioral, medical, or safety needs, including intervening in crisis situations and implementing approved safety procedures when necessary.
• Ability to work in a variety of instructional and residential environments and move throughout the campus as needed to support students and staff.Ability to tolerate prolonged periods of standing, walking, and other physical activity while maintaining continuous supervision of students.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of a fast-paced educational environment while maintaining student safety and providing consistent support throughout the workday

DISCLAIMER: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may perform other duties as assigned to meet the needs of WPSBC.