Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania seeks an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to help blind or visually impaired individuals gain independence. You will assess needs, plan instructions, and deliver one-on-one or group sessions, selecting appropriate canes and travel aids to support safe, confident travel.

This full-time role in the Philadelphia District Office offers a negotiable schedule, possible telework after training, and a starting salary of $60,538.00.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of an orientation and mobility program with practicum or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in orientation and mobility (including practicum).
• Active ACVREP certification or eligibility within 3 months of graduation.

Responsibilities

• Assess customer abilities and needs to develop instructional plans.
• Provide one-on-one or group lessons using hands-on learning.
• Select canes, travel aids, and technology for safe travel.
• Review progress and ensure steady improvement and outcomes.
• Offer guidance to customers and families to reinforce skills.
• Stay current on orientation and mobility techniques and trainings.

Skills

Assessment & planning

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in orientation and mobility

ACVREP Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Intern program completion in orientation and mobility

Job description

Step into a meaningful career as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. This role gives you the chance to teach life-changing skills that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired navigate the world with greater independence. Each day brings new opportunities to make a strong and lasting difference. Be part of a team dedicated to empowering others!

This position provides essential rehabilitation services that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired build skills for confident and independent living. As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Assessment and Planning: Evaluate customer abilities and needs to develop individualized instructional plans
• Instruction Delivery: Provide one-on-one or group lessons using experience-based learning and guided practice
• Equipment Selection: Choose appropriate canes, travel aids, and technology to support safe independent travel
• Progress Monitoring: Review customer development to ensure steady improvement and successful outcomes
• Support and Counseling: Offer guidance to customers and families to reinforce skills and encourage independence
• Professional Development: Stay current on Orientation and Mobility techniques and participate in trainings to strengthen practice

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 7.5 hour work day
• Work hours are negotiable, Monday - Friday, with a 30 or 60-minute lunch depending on work hours. AWS (alternate work schedule) may be available.
• This position is part of the Philadelphia District Office, caseload area will cover Philadelphia County.
• 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 Philadelphia. 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 $60,538.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements

• Successful completion of the commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program; or
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree or certificate from an approved college or university program in orientation and mobility that includes a practicum; or
• Possession of an active Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.