PTS - Orientation & Mobility Specialist

The Lighthouse for The Blind in New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A vision rehabilitation organization in New Orleans seeks a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) to empower individuals with vision loss. This role involves assessments, training clients on independent travel, and collaborating with a dedicated team to enhance mobility services. Ideal candidates have relevant degrees and certification, along with strong teaching and communication skills. The position offers a dynamic work schedule and requires outdoor training in various environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 350 hours teaching experience with individuals with vision loss.
• Experience with mobility aids and adaptive strategies.
• Knowledge of visual disabilities and their functional impact.

Responsibilities

• Conduct quality O&M assessments and training.
• Develop individual goals for clients.
• Collaborate with Employment Specialists for integrated training.

Skills

Assessing and teaching O&M

GPS technology usage

Effective teaching skills

Strong troubleshooting skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Orientation & Mobility

ACVREP certification

Tools

Office software products

Job description

Overview

Description

Are you a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) ready to advocate and inspire?

Lighthouse Louisiana is looking for 2 COMS to join our innovative team dedicated to empowering individuals with varying degrees of vision loss in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge regions.

Why Join Us

• Unique Opportunity: Be a part of a passionate team of vision rehab professionals that value advocacy as much as education.
• Impactful Work: Develop and administer life-changing programs for adults and youth with vision loss.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside a team that values collaboration, critical thinking, and leading by example.
• Professional Growth: Showcase your leadership skills and drive the success of our O&M programs.

Job Summary

At Lighthouse Louisiana, we empower people with disabilities through services, employment, and advocacy. The Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist is a vital member of the Pathways To Success (PTS) team, creating opportunities for people of all ages who have vision impairment by providing quality assessments and training across southeast Louisiana. The O&M Specialist is a multitasker with a passion for problem solving and a desire to drive programs to success, assisting people in achieving their goals for developing skills for independent travel, utilizing public transit, and accessing public spaces. The Lighthouse O&M Specialist embraces emerging technologies and is eager to keep up with current trends.

Responsibilities

1. Perform quality O&M assessments and subsequent training to support the mobility needs of clients across all service areas to include facility, home, work, and community venues. Develop goals and objectives following each evaluation to ensure that all clients reach their highest abilities based on individual needs and desires. Collect pre and post data to measure service outcomes.
2. Provide individual and group instruction to participants in the PTS Project to enhance their opportunities to achieve competitive integrated employment (CIE) through the development of strong O&M skills.
3. Collaborate with Employment Specialists to incorporate O&M training into the Pre-ETS program to support Work Based Learning Experiences (WBLEs) for transition students.
4. Complete daily documentation and reports by procedure, ensuring all data is accurate, thorough, and timely.
5. Collaborate with the PTS and Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) teams to optimize communication regarding client needs and plans across all Lighthouse services.
6. Conduct sensitivity training for new Lighthouse employees in the New Orleans facility. Conduct initial O&M assessments for employees who have vision loss to identify needs for training to ensure their safety when navigating throughout the facility.
7. Conduct assessments and training as needed to support Lighthouse employees who are blind to enhance their efficiency, productivity, and safety on the job. Consult management staff to resolve identified challenges as requested.
8. Enhance blind pedestrian safety and public transit services for people who are visually impaired or Deaf/Blind by providing system assessments, educational presentations, and interactive training opportunities to transit operators, city planners, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
9. Participate in community education and advocacy events to promote inclusion for people with vision impairment by advocating for their needs as a representative of the Lighthouse and participating in meetings with local coalitions. Provide sensitivity training to teams of local businesses. Conduct environmental assessments for public venues and engage with the community at outreach events.
10. Foster a team environment with effective communication and a coordinated approach to providing vision rehabilitation services. Follow all Lighthouse standard operating procedures.
11. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services.

Qualifications

Job Qualifications:

1. Education: bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited program with emphasis in Orientation & Mobility required. The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation Education Professionals (ACVREP) certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist is required. Students in the process of obtaining ACVREP certification may be considered.
2. Special Knowledge/Skills: Proficient skills for assessing and teaching O&M in various settings; Competence to instruct people with varying degrees of vision impairment to safely navigate simple and complex street crossings, manage public transit, and effectively travel through public spaces; Knowledge of visual disabilities and effects on functional skills; Knowledge and skill in the use of GPS technology to support independent travel for people who are blind; Confidence instructing transition students, working aged adults, and people who may have additional disabilities; Effective teaching skills with ability to assess and adjust training to optimize progress; Strong troubleshooting skills; Superior oral and written communications; Ability to develop and perform professional presentations; Proficient in the use of Office software products and the internet is required.
3. Experience: Minimum of 350 hours experience instructing people with varying degrees of vision loss on the use of adaptive strategies and mobility aids for safe and independent navigation. Experience and proficiency in completing assessments and draft professional reports.
4. Supervisory Responsibilities: None.
5. Physical: Good physical health to support outdoor training during all seasons. Able to walk long distances and manage public transportation systems independently. Able to manage transportation and training for off-site instruction around client homes and businesses. Must be energetic and able to function in a dynamic office setting. Have the ability to independently travel throughout multiple service regions, including driving in all conditions for extended periods to support travel between Lighthouse locations and throughout southeast Louisiana.
6. Personality Traits: Friendly, client-focused, and flexible; Professional in appearance and attitude; Creative problem-solver who is detail-oriented and works well with others; Collaborative spirit but able to work independently when needed; Mission-minded teacher who motivates clients and teams to achieve successful outcomes; Openly offers and accepts constructive feedback.
7. Working Conditions: Outdoors, classroom, client home/work, and commercial and industrial environments. Frequent travel required. Mileage reimbursement provided to service providers who travel to/from client appointments. Valid driver’s license and clear driving record required with valid Louisiana insurance coverage.
8. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Occasional weekend community outreach activities and training sessions.
9. Background Check and Drug Test Required: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.

This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. The incumbent in this position will perform such other tasks as may be required for the effective operation of the Division/Department upon request by his/her supervisor.

At Lighthouse Louisiana, we are committed to the principles of equal employment. We comply with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. We are dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment including, but not limited to recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay (and other compensation), termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. In addition, we take affirmative actions to recruit, hire, promote and retain veterans.