Orientation and Mobility Intern

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Altoona (PA); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Altoona invites applications for an Orientation and Mobility Intern. The role guides blind or visually impaired individuals toward independence, delivering assessments, instruction planning, equipment recommendations, and supportive services to empower daily mobility.

The position offers negotiable hours, possible partial telework after training, and a starting annual salary of $46,827.00 before taxes, with opportunities to report to the Altoona headquarters when

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in final year of an accredited orientation and mobility program.
• Within 3 months of enrollment in final year to meet educational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assess customer needs and build an instructional plan.
• Develop personalized instruction schedules aligned with goals.
• Choose travel aids and assistive technology based on readiness.
• Provide individual or group lessons to improve safe travel and independence.
• Track progress and determine if instructional goals are met.
• Offer counseling and guidance to support customers and families.

Education

Orientation and mobility degree program

Job description

Step into a meaningful career as an Orientation and Mobility Intern with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), Altoona District Office. This position is responsible for providing a full range of rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This role allows you to guide people as they build confidence, expand their independence, and move safely through their communities. Your skills will help shape brighter futures and open new paths for the people you serve.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position guides individuals who are blind or visually impaired as they work toward independence at home and in the community. As an Orientation and Mobility Intern, you will perform the following duties:

• Assessment Duties: Assess customer needs by reviewing reports, interviewing individuals, and observing daily functioning to create an instructional plan
• Instruction Planning: Develop personalized instruction schedules that align with rehabilitation goals
• Equipment Selection: Choose and recommend travel aids and assistive technology based on customer readiness and capabilities
• Skill Instruction: Provide individual or group lessons that build safe travel techniques and greater independence
• Progress Monitoring: Track customer skill growth and determine whether instructional goals are being met
• Support Services: Offer counseling and guidance to reinforce skills and assist families in supporting the customer

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Work hours are negotiable, Monday - Friday, with a 30 or 60-minute lunch depending on work hours. AWS (alternate work schedule) may be available.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Altoona. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,827.00.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the final year of an accredited college or university bachelor’s or master’s degree program or certificate program in orientation and mobility.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of enrollment in the final year of the applicable degree or certificate program.

Special Requirement:

• This position requires authorization by the college or university for the student to participate in the commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program. Upon entering the internship, the student must be enrolled in the final semester of the appropriate degree or certificate program.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.