Orientation and Mobility Specialist

State of North Carolina; Cumberland (NC); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The Orientation and Mobility Specialist with the Department of Health and Human Services helps individuals who are blind or visually impaired gain independence through tailored assessment and training. The role covers diverse environments and frequent travel across several counties.

Responsibilities include direct instruction, route planning, and coordinating referrals to ensure safe, independent mobility and community participation for clients.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of orientation and mobility theories and instructional methods.
• Experience tailoring instruction to diverse age groups and needs.
• Experience evaluating consumer needs and recommending mobility devices.
• Proficiency using mobility equipment to support safe travel.
• Ability to document assessments and coordinate referrals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive orientation and mobility assessments and plan training.
• Assess spatial awareness, navigation, and independent travel skills.
• Develop individualized training plans based on assessment results and conditions.
• Provide one‑on‑one instruction in cane travel, sighted guide, and related techniques.
• Deliver services in homes, schools, and community settings.

Skills

O&M theories

Adaptive instruction

Travel training assessments

Mobility equipment proficiency

Environmental navigation awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in visual impairment field

ACVREP certification (COMS/CLVT/CAT)

Tools

Long canes

Electronic travel aids

Low-vision devices

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Blind Services

Job Classification Title

Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (NS)

Position Number

60043096

Grade

NC09

About Us

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.

Description of Work

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

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $41,206.00 - $72,113.00

Recruitment Range: $41,206.00 - $71,119.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Documented experience applying orientation and mobility theories, techniques, and instructional methodologies to address the functional impact of visual impairments and support independent travel outcomes for consumers.
• Proficiency providing orientation and mobility instruction to consumers across multiple age groups, including adapting training approaches, learning activities, and service strategies to meet age‑specific needs and goals.
• Background evaluating consumer needs and recommending appropriate orientation and mobility devices, tools, and travel aids based on functional vision, travel environments, and individual mobility objectives.
• Skilled in using mobility equipment, including long canes, low‑vision devices, and electronic travel aids, to support safe and effective travel instruction in home, community, educational, and employment settings.
• Experience conducting orientation and mobility assessments and developing individualized training plans that incorporate consumer goals, readiness to learn, functional abilities, and environmental considerations.

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date

This Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal Funds

This Position Is Eligible For A Hybrid Work Option

This Position Covers The Following Counties: Cumberland, Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Stanly, Harnett

Physical Requirements:

• Physical requirements include some stooping, crouching, reaching standing and walking to get from place to place.
• Lifting no more than 20 lbs at a time; frequent lifting/carrying of up to 10 lbs.
• This position requires frequent walking in a wide range of environments, including indoor settings such as buildings, homes, schools, and retail stores, as well as outdoor environments in various weather and terrain.

About the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf‑blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high‑quality, low‑cost benefits on a pre‑tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit the website for State Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second‑chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice‑involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD‑214 Member‑4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

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

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.

EEO Statement

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.