Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Orientation and Mobility Specialist - (240002EM)

Description

Job Overview

Assist students with visual impairments to achieve independence through instruction in orientation and mobility training.Assess students with visual impairments and make educational recommendations, write IEPs and attend ARD meetings.Provide training for general education teachers, special education teachers, staff, parents and sighted peers.

Position Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Provide instruction to students with visual impairments in the development of skills and knowledge that enables him/her to travel independently based on the IEP/IFSPs and to travel with proficiency, safety and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments (this includes instruction in the student’s home, school, and community as appropriate)
• Provide sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivation level
• Provide orientation of new buildings and new class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed, including those community settings where students receive instruction
• Be responsible for the student’s safety during O&M instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during O&M lessons
• 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
  
  

Evaluation

• Conduct orientation and mobility evaluations that focus on long and short term needs of the student for new referrals and at intervals as required by the IDEA
• Include in the evaluation report the strengths and needs of the student and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs
• Collaborate with teachers of students with visual impairments in conducting the Functional Vision Evaluation as it relates to independent travel for students
• Collaborate with teachers of students with visual impairments and other appropriate staff members with implementation of the Expanded Core Curriculum
  
  

Administrative/ Campus Support

• Provide consultation, support services, in-service training and staff development to parents, general education teachers, support staff,and sighted peers
• Communicate with low vision specialists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists concerning exams and attend exams when appropriate
• Complete documentation for Medicaid reimbursement/SHARS on a regular basis and maintain supporting O&M logs
• Be knowledgeable of community-based resources that may be available to and useful for students with visual impairments
• Participate in parent conferences and meetings as well as staffings regarding the student with visual impairments
• Attend required staff development
• Maintain accurate and complete records, including documentation of student progress and parent communication logs
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None
  
  

Qualifications

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.

• Bachelor's degree
• AER/Academy Certification Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)
• Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing
• Proficient in using Windows Operating System as well as Microsoft Office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
  
  

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.

The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.

Additional Information

• The employee will be required to work outside 25 percent of the time and may be exposed to the elements and inclement weather. This position may have exposure to bodily fluids and the employee must be capable of physically restraining students when necessary following the approved de-escalation/restraint techniques. This position requires some travel and the possible transporting of students in district vehicles.
• This position is funded by grant funds. This position may be discontinued if grant funds are no longer available.
  
  

Primary Location

: TEXAS-SUGAR LAND

Work Locations

:

TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER

540 DULLES AVENUE

SUGAR LAND 77478

Job

: Staff

Organization

: DEPARTMENT

Position Calendar: 187AU1

School Year:2024-2025

Salary Grade: 102

Unposting Date

: Sep 20, 2024, 4:59:00 AM