Orientation and Mobility Specialist

United States·Cumberland Countymid

Human ResourcesMobility Specialist

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Quick Summary

Key Responsibilities

– Conducting comprehensive orientation and mobility assessments to evaluate consumer needs, goals, readiness, motivation, and functional travel skills.

Requirements Summary

Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Stanly, Harnett Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Grade Range: $41,206.00 - $72,113.00 Recruitment Range: $41,206.

Technical Tools

Human ResourcesMobility Specialist

Dept of Health and Human Services

Blind Services

Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (NS)

60043096

NC09

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

The Orientation and Mobility Specialist provides individualized assessment and instruction to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind to support independent living, community participation, and employment goals. The position evaluates consumer needs, functional abilities, and readiness for travel training and develops individualized instruction plans based on assessment findings.

Work includes teaching orientation and mobility techniques, recommending appropriate resources, and coordinating referrals when additional services are needed. Services are delivered in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments and are designed to increase safe, independent travel and navigation skills. The position requires extensive direct client interaction and frequent travel within diverse community settings.

Key Duties Include:
– Conducting comprehensive orientation and mobility assessments to evaluate consumer needs, goals, readiness, motivation, and functional travel skills.

– Assessing consumers’ understanding of spatial awareness, directional concepts, environmental navigation, and independent travel techniques.

– Developing individualized training plans based on assessment results, visual functioning, physical condition, and identified barriers to independent mobility.

– Providing one-on-one instruction in orientation and mobility techniques, including sensory development, concept development, pre-cane skills, sighted-guide techniques, and cane travel methods.

– Teaching route planning, street crossings, soliciting assistance, public transportation use, and travel strategies for a variety of home, community, and workplace environments.

– Instructing consumers in the use of residual vision, low-vision devices, electronic travel aids, and other techniques that support safe and independent travel.

– Evaluating previous orientation and mobility training, current travel skills, and individual goals to determine appropriate instructional approaches and service recommendations.

– Identifying locomotor, auditory, visual, cognitive, or other physical factors affecting mobility and coordinating referrals to appropriate specialists and service providers.

– Documenting assessment findings, training activities, consumer progress, and recommendations in accordance with program requirements and professional standards.

– Delivering services in diverse settings, including homes, schools, businesses, community locations, retail environments, and outdoor travel routes under varying environmental conditions.

This position covers the following counties: Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Stanly, Harnett

Requirements

~1 min read

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

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:

(1) Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT)

(2) Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

(3) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)

(4) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist

as needed for the area of assignment

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.

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Tresha Walker

DHHS Workday Support Form