Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Health & Human Services; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to assess and instruct individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind to support independent living, community participation, and employment goals.

You will conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized training plans, provide one-on-one instruction in orientation and mobility techniques, and teach route planning and use of mobility devices across home, school,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in visual impairment or related field with certification requirements; certification under ACVREP preferred or required within two years of employment.
• Experience applying orientation and mobility theories and instructional methodologies to assist individuals with visual impairments.
• Proficiency in assessing consumer needs, planning individualized training, and delivering mobility instruction across ages.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive orientation and mobility assessments to evaluate consumer needs, goals, readiness, and functional travel skills.
• Develop individualized training plans based on assessment results, visual functioning, and mobility barriers.
• Provide one-on-one instruction in orientation and mobility techniques, including cane travel, sighted-guide, and environmental navigation.
• Teach route planning, street crossings, and public transportation use across home, school, workplace, and community settings.
• Instruct on residual vision, low-vision devices, and electronic travel aids to support safe travel.

Skills

Orientation & mobility theory

Individualized instruction

Travel training

Assessments

Mobility devices usage

Education

Bachelor's degree in visual impairment

ACVREP certification

Tools

Long canes

Low-vision devices

Electronic travel aids

Job description

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

• 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: 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.

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 forState Benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federallaws, 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.

Minimum Education and Experience

• 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. Management has the option of choosing certification requirements based on the area of assignment in order to meet the needs of the clients and the program. Recruitment announcements should reflect only one of the certification requirements.

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.

State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions

Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post‑secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.