Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist

 

Position / Title: Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Bargaining Unit:    NON-UNION	Department/Location: Specialized Student Services
Calendar Days: Non-Union	Reports To: Specialized Student Services Administrator
JD Revision Date: 01/29/2024	Supervises: N/A

 
Function / Position Summary
This position is a full-time position created and governed by the NIA Policies and Rules and Regulations assigned to the Vision/Ortho/Multi Department and under the direct supervision of Department Coordinator and Supervisor. The Orientation and Mobility Specialist will provide direct and consultative services to students who are blind and visually impaired within the NIA region. 
 
Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Efficiently schedule and provide service to students for the required amount of time as specified on the Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). 
• Write goals and objectives aligned with Illinois State Learning Standards.
• Plan individual lessons for students to meet IEP goals and objectives.
• Visually monitor students’ progress from an appropriate distance during lessons.
• Transport students to and from lesson site within the school and community only when necessary and only if approved by the district/cooperative. 
• Complete travel from site to site in a timely manner. 
• Update goal and objective progress on the IEP as required quarterly. 2. Oversee interns affiliated with university programs. 
• Complete annual needs assessment, outlining students projected service needs for the O&M following the school year.
• Maintain student working file.
• Provide a monthly calendar to department coordinator indicating service time used by member districts/cooperatives. 
• Keep class lists updated. 
• Provide direct instruction in areas of need as identified in IEP. 
• Provide written programming based upon identified needs. 
• Conduct annual assessment of students’ progress, submitting reports at annual reviews. Collaborate with related services and support staff involved with students.
• Inservice staff and/or families regarding specific topics or areas of need.
• Attend team meetings and IEP meetings to plan students’ programs.
• Identify and share resources with team, building staff and peers. 
• Network with individuals and agencies to develop resources. 
• Evaluate and identify the needs of the students upon referral by the vision teacher and approval by the administrator of the district/cooperative. 
• Complete orientation and mobility evaluations as necessary for initial referrals and three-year re-evaluations. 
• Attend related in services, conferences and workshops.
• Review related literature. 
• Set professional development goals with NIA supervisor
• Must be able to travel to sites within the N.I.A. region within given time limits.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree
• Certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)

Experience / Knowledge

• Knowledge and skill to prepare and use equipment and materials, such as tactile maps, models, optical devices, pre-canes, GPS devices, and long canes for the development of O&M skills. 
• Knowledge of major theories and intervention strategies with educational implications for students with disabilities. 
• Effective behavior management skills and instructional techniques. 
• Ability to deliver effective school-based orientation and mobility instruction.
• Ability to provide for the student's safety during O&M instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during O&M lessons.
• Ability to provide orientation of new buildings and new class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed, including those community settings where students receive instruction.  
• Ability to develop effective treatment plans and service. 
• Ability to document progress and relate it to the students' goals and objectives. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with school staff, parents and students. 
• Able to maintain current certification. 

Physical Demands

• While performing the essential functions of this of this job the employee is required to regularly talk and hear to communicate
• regularly use fingers, hands, and arms to manipulate objects
• regularly sit, stand, and walk
• occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds
• EQUIPMENT Ability to travel independently

Terms of Employment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• This is a 10-month work year position (192 days).  Salary and benefits as established by the Board of Education.

• The salary range for this position is $66,260.00 - $99,391.00. It is our typical practice to hire in between the minimum and midpoint ( $82,826.00).