Job Title: Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Reports to:Site Administrator
Job Group:Instructional

 

FLSA:Exempt
Job Code:2035
Salary Schedule:INST

JOB GOAL

Responsible for organizing and implementing an instructional program for visually impaired students and to assist visually impaired students to be able to travel in any environment as independently as possible and meet the duties of teaching as outlined in laws and policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of those in this position.

Planning

  1. Design the exceptional student education program so that it is consistent with the total educational philosophy and goals of the district as well as formal Orientation and Mobility training.
  2. Develop and conduct orientation and mobility assessments for all children with visual impairments in order to determine the nature and extent of services needed.
  3. Work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in developing and implementing individualized education programs for children with visual impairments.

Programming

  1. Prepare, implement, and evaluate an annual educational plan for each student based on individually assessed needs in accordance with district procedures.
  2. Provide leadership in assessing formal orientation and mobility skills and serve in a cooperative role with the teacher of the visually impaired students in assessing the areas of concept, motor, and sensory skill development.
  3. Plan and implement a program to teach formal orientation and mobility skills to those students with visual impairments for whom they are appropriate to include skills in movement with a sighted guide, protective techniques, indoor cane skills, outdoor cane skills, street crossing, and use of public transportation systems.
  4. Seek a variety of services through community resources and agencies to meet the needs of the student with visual impairments.
  5. Provide appropriate strategies/activities for visually impaired students, involving other school personnel as appropriate.
  6. Provide students with visual impairments and their parents information about alternative systems (other than the cane) of independent travel such as guide dogs and electronic travel aids (ETAs).

Public Relations

  1. Design and implement ongoing in-service education activities in the areas of orientation and mobility for teachers, other professionals, paraprofessionals, and administrators.
  2. Cooperate with school personnel in coordinating Orientation and Mobility services with other services within the school.
  3. Identify and train school personnel in their roles in the development and reinforcement of concept development, sensory skill training, motor development and elementary formal orientation and mobility skills.
  4. Work with parents and family members in developing realistic goals and provide specific activities the parents and family members can implement in the home setting to foster continuity of instruction.
  5. Assist in establishing community relationships through Orientation and Mobility instruction to educate the general public regarding the capabilities of persons with visual impairments, helping to dispel many misconceptions the public may have about blindness and people with visual impairments.
  6. Assist with coordinating and providing news releases through the immediate supervisor for local media as requested.

Reporting

  1. Ensure that each student in the program has necessary evaluation records in his/her permanent folder.
  2. Complete progress reports for each student in the program.
  3. Supply progress reports to school personnel and parents as necessary and requested.
  4. Complete reports for appropriate local and state educational agencies.
  5. Refer those students who require further evaluation or follow-up services to the appropriate school personnel or community agencies.

Other

  1. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

  • Communicate effectively in written and oral form using positive interpersonal skills
  • Organize, prioritize, manage, and carry out duties efficiently and within established timeframes
  • Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders
  • Demonstrate operational knowledge of internet and web-related technologies

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Endorsements as applicable

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS

  • Valid Florida Educator’s Certificate in the appropriate coverage to include Visually Impaired

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Graduate work beyond bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • Experience in a similar position teaching
  • AVCREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals) Certified

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated as Light Work.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk, and hear; stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. The employee occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT

  • General office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be established by the District.

Performance of the job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Pasco County Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.

Orientation and Mobility Specialist;   EST: September 13, 2011;   REV: n/a;   Board Approved: September 13, 2011