Job Openings

MS Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

10/18/2022

The Orientation and Mobility Specialist is responsible for providing orientation and mobility instruction to students from pre-school through transition age who are visually impaired and who may have other disabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

•Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university. Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

• Completion of an approved preparation program for school Orientation and Mobility Specialists from a regionally accredited institution.

• Must hold current certification as a specialist in Orientation and Mobility from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education of Professionals (ACVREP); requires passing of the ACVREP exam (Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist – COMS).

• Eligible for Educator licensure in the State of Mississippi, Special Education/Visually Impaired or comparable endorsement preferred.

• Experience working with children (in an educational environment) with visual impairments and/or additional disabilities preferred.

 • Must demonstrate proficient knowledge of IDEA law and State Board Regulations involving the provision of services to students with disabilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Perform work associated with development of body image, laterality and directionality, spatial and environmental concepts, sensory training, basic concepts and skills, and orientation and mobility skills. Instruction is provided on campus (indoors and outdoors) and in the surrounding community, including the student’s residential area during school hours and at night as needed.

• Specific instruction, including but not limited to, guide techniques, direction-taking, squaring off, self-familiarization, upper and lower protective techniques, cane skills, street crossings, use of number systems, use of public transportation and use of optical aids will be provided based on each student’s individual needs.

• Develop short and long-term goals and objectives for each student and plan specific learning tasks to help students achieve the goals and objectives.

• Prepare schedules for O&M classes for all students identified as needing O&M instruction, evaluate O&M students to assess current levels, work with instructional staff to integrate classroom and O&M instruction and coordinate with staff to minimize disruptions to the students’ schedules.

 • Participate in and request staffing on students as necessary; maintain accurate and up-to-date records for students; and initiate and maintain contact with parents or guardians, including production of quarterly progress reports.

 • Coordinate effectively with other service staff in supporting school reform efforts and strategic planning and contribute positively to cocurricular activities.

• Serve positively as a team member in the Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (MSDB) as a whole; and participate in regular team/departmental meetings and school/instructional meetings as required.

• Participate in activities related to professional development and training or workshops as appropriate, to include leading in-service trainings for other staff.

• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS: None

NECESSARY SKILLS:

•Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

•Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully; develop alternative solutions; work well in group problem solving situations; use reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

• Exhibit objectivity and openness to others' views; give and welcomes feedback; contribute to building a positive team spirit; place success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; support everyone's effort to succeed.

• Communicate well with others.

• Follow policies and procedures; complete administrative tasks correctly and on time; support organization's goals and values.

• Display willingness to make decisions; exhibit sound and accurate judgement; support and explain reasoning for decisions; include appropriate people in decision making process; make timely decisions.

• Adapt to changes in the work environment; manage competing demands; change approach or method to best fit the situation; able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

• Follow instructions; respond to supervisory direction; take responsibility for own actions; keep commitments; commit to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; complete tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.

• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality when dealing with student, staff, and/or parent information.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS: Knowledge of Internet, e-mail, spreadsheets, Word processing, and student management software preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk and uses hands; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may need to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics 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.

E_mail: jacquie.russell@msdbk12.org

Phone: 601-984-8109

Cert: COMS