Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Adult Correction; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (NS) for the Division of Blind Services to support independent living and employment goals for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

You will conduct comprehensive mobility assessments, develop individualized training plans, instruct in orientation and mobility techniques, and coordinate referrals across home, community, and work settings, with occasional travel and a hybrid work

Qualifications

• Experience applying orientation and mobility theories to outcomes for visually impaired individuals.
• Ability to assess consumer needs, readiness, and barriers to independent mobility.
• Experience developing individualized training plans based on assessments and function.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive orientation and mobility assessments to evaluate consumer needs and mobility goals.
• Develop individualized training plans based on assessment results and functional abilities.
• Provide one-on-one instruction in orientation and mobility techniques including cane travel methods and sighted-guide techniques.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate services and resources across home, community, and work environments.
• Document assessments, training activities, and progress per program requirements.

Skills

Orientation and mobility theories

Individual instruction delivery

Travel training

Assessment and planning

Interpersonal communication

Job description

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Blind Services Job Classification Title Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (NS) Position Number 60043097 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.

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 :

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.

This Position 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

Physical Requirements:

Physical requirements include some stooping, crouching, reaching stand