Job Openings

North Carolina Services for the Blind

01/27/2022

Description of Work

**This is a repost; previous applicants do not need to reapply and are still being considered for this position.**

The Orientation and Mobility Specialist position provides individualized orientation and mobility assessments and training for consumers who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind. Some Specialists provide instruction in specialized skill areas that will enable the consumers to achieve their independent living, travel, and employment goals. This position provides training and instruction services to those in Alamance, Caswell, Davidson, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, and Surry County.

Job responsibilities include:

Assess client's needs, goals, readiness and motivation to learn orientation and mobility skills
Determine client's understanding of spatial and directional concepts
Provide one-on-one instruction including concepts and techniques such as sensory/concept development, pre-cane skills, sighted guide, cane techniques, route planning/travel in a variety of situations, soliciting situations, use of public transportation, use of residual vision/low vision aids, orientation to electronic travel aids and preparation for travel
Assess a consumer's need for mobility with regard to previous O & M training, residual vision, the individual needs of the consumer, the physical and mental condition of the consumer, and their motivation to be independent in this area
Identify locomotor, auditory, visual, or other physical problems and refer consumer to appropriate specialist resources.

Selected applicant needs to have the means to travel as the job requires.

Salary Grade: GN11
Recruitment Range: $42,780 - $72,424
Position: 60043008

Since 1935, the mission of the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) has been to enable people who are visually impaired, blind, and deafblind to reach their goals of independence and employment. To see the impact of DSB's involvement in the community, please click on the links below

DSB Social Worker - Patricia Turner
https://vimeo.com/266201278

Christina Sterling
https://vimeo.com/206631523

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To receive credit for all of your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information listed under the text resume section or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit. Qualified candidates must document on the application that they possess all of the following:

Please refer to the link below for additional information
https://oshr.nc.gov/work-for-nc/how-do-i-get-job

In-depth knowledge of the restrictive effects of visual impairments, mobility theories, techniques and methodologies
Demonstrated ability teaching consumers of all ages with an understanding of the unique needs of the various age ranges
Knowledge of the variety of orientation and mobility devices
Demonstrated skill in the use of mobility equipment
Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally

Management prefers candidates with the following:

Certification by the Academy for Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in visual impairment field from an appropriately accredited institution and certification by the Academy for Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), as needed for the area of assignment.
OR
Bachelor's degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling or social work and three years of direct service experience with individuals who are blind or visually impaired and certification as indicated above as needed for the area of assignment.

Applicants who do not possess certification are required to obtain certification within two years from the date of employment. Management has the option of choosing certification requirements based on the area of assignment in order to meet the needs of the clients and the program.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The DHHS Division of Human Resources (DHR) follows the State Human Resources Employment of Relatives Policy. Applicants who have relatives or people living in the same household, will not be considered for job vacancies in the DHR at those locations. For a complete definition of immediate family member, please see the State Human Resources Workforce Planning, Recruitment and Selection Policy, Section 2, Page 38.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. You will either receive a call to schedule an interview or an email notifying you when the job has been filled.

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at
855-524-5627. Applicants will be communicated with via email only for updates on the status of their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 919-855-3517.

For permanent appointments:

State of North Carolina employees have the opportunity to participate in a compelling array of benefits to enhance their quality of life, their health, and their future. Benefits include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation. To find out about these, and other programs, please visit our Employee Benefits page:

https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits

For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments:

**There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.**

I UNDERSTAND that DHHS requires a complete descriptive work history with all employment experience detailed to be considered for employment. I have included all of this information within my application. (NOTE: AN ATTACHED RESUME DOES NOT SATISFY THE REQUIREMENT OF COMPLETING THE APPLICATION. If you haven't completed the application requirements, please return to your application to finish it before submitting your application.)

Yes, I understand and have fully completed all requirements.

To be considered for this position, you must clearly show within the body of the application how you meet the state mandated minimum education and experience requirements for this vacancy. In order to receive credit for the supplemental questions in which you answered yes, you must provide supporting information within the body of the application to support your answer. Have you provided the necessary information for our screening process?

Which of the following best describes your total years of experience working with mobility equipment?

None
Less than 1 year
1 to 2 years
2+ years

If you have experience in the use of mobility equipment, please briefly explain when/where you obtained this experience. If you answered "none", please enter NA. (All experience should be reflected above in the work history section of your application.)

How many years of experience do you have working with individuals with blindness, deafblindness, and/or vision loss?

None
Less than 1 year
1 to 2 years
2+ years

If you have experience working with individuals with blindness, deafblindness, and/or vision loss, please briefly explain when/where you obtained this experience. If you answered "none", please enter NA. (All experience should be reflected above in the work history section of your application.)

If not currently a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) will you be able to obtain certification as a COMS within 2 years of employment according to the ACVREP certification guidelines at: https://www.acvrep.org/certifications/clvt

Yes
No
N/A (already certified)

How many years of experience do you have teaching consumers?

None
Less than 1 year
1 to 2 years
2+ years

Where did you learn about DHHS or this opportunity?

Company or OSHR Website
Employee Referral
Conference / Career Fair
Email campaign
Professional Association or Industry-specific job board
Indeed
LinkedIn
NC Nursing Board email
Google
Other General Job Boards
Other Search Engines
Other Social Media
Internet Advertisement
TV / Radio

Please give additional detail where you learned of DHHS or this opportunity. (e.g., APA Annual Meeting in NYC in May 2018, Facebook, Doximity, NC Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, etc.)

Required Question

Agency

State of North Carolina

Address

NOTE: Apply to the department listed on posting

An Equal Opportunity Employer, North Carolina, State Government

Link to job posting:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northcarolina/jobs/2898057/orientation-and-mobility-specialist?location[0]=forsyth&department[0]=Dept%20of%20Health%20and%20Human%20Services&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&page=2&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

E_mail: Charles.Hittinger@dhhs.nc.gov

Phone: 8286417896

Cert: COMS

Job Openings

North Carolina Services for the Blind

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