TVI & O&M

Sonja Biggs Educational Services Inc; Tehachapi (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonja Biggs Educational Services Inc is seeking a passionate TVI/O&M Specialist to support students with visual impairments from birth through age 21. You will deliver integrated services, collaborate with families, teachers, and therapists, and advocate for access and independence in school and community settings.

This dual-credentialed role blends vision education and orientation & mobility, and requires California VI and O&M credentials, plus experience with CVI and complex access needs.

Qualifications

• California Education Specialist Credential in VI is required.
• California Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential – Orientation & Mobility (O&M) is required.
• Experience working with students with visual impairments is required.
• Experience with CVI, complex access needs, and/or deafblindness is valued.
• 1 year of teaching experience is required.
• 1 year of special education experience is required.
• Additional state certifications or credentials are a plus.

Responsibilities

• TVI Services: Provide direct, consultative, indirect, and assessment-based services to students with visual impairments.
• O&M Services: Provide individualized instruction based on assessed needs and environments.
• Collaboration: Work with teachers, families, related service providers, and administrators to support student goals.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate records, progress notes, and participate in IEP/IFSP processes.

Education

California Education Specialist Credential in Visual Impairment (VI)

California Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential – Orientation & Mobility (O&M)

Job description

Are you a passionate Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference?We’re looking for a creative, compassionate, and collaborative dual-credentialed professional to join our team and support students with visual impairments from birth through age 21.This is a unique opportunity to combine your expertise in vision education and orientation and mobility to help students access their education, navigate their environments safely and confidently, and develop the skills they need for greater independence.You’ll work with students across a wide range of ages, abilities, and needs, including students with ocular or neurological visual impairments, CVI, complex access needs, multiple disabilities, deafblindness, behavioral challenges, and giftedness.No two students—or two days—are exactly alike. You’ll have the opportunity to use your professional expertise, creativity, and problem-solving skills to develop individualized strategies that help students discover what they are capable of achieving.Who We AreWe believe great work starts with great people. Our team is built on integrity, innovation, continuous learning, technology, communication, teamwork, and flexibility.We value professionals who bring honesty and compassion to their work, think creatively to solve problems, and are always looking for ways to learn and grow.We believe the best outcomes happen when we work together, communicate openly, support one another, and stay flexible as the needs of our students and families evolve. We encourage our team members to bring new ideas to the table, embrace new technologies and approaches, and continue developing both personally and professionally.Most importantly, we want our employees to feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference.Our BenefitsWe believe the people doing meaningful work deserve meaningful benefits. Our benefit package includes:Medical (100% company-paid employee premiums for base plans)Dental and Vision benefitsCompany-Paid Life Insurance401(k) Retirement PlanVacation and Sick LeaveWhy You’ll Love This RoleMake a lasting impact. Help students develop the skills and confidence to participate more fully in school, their communities, and everyday life.Use both of your areas of expertise. Combine TVI and O&M knowledge to provide comprehensive support for students with visual impairments.Work with diverse learners. Support students from infancy through young adulthood with a wide range of abilities and needs.Be creative. Develop individualized solutions, adapt materials, and find innovative ways to make learning and travel accessible.Get out into the real world. Provide instruction in authentic environments where students can practice meaningful skills.Collaborate with a great team. Partner with families, teachers, administrators, therapists, rehabilitation professionals, and other specialists.Advocate for students. Help ensure students receive the instruction, accommodations, technology, and environmental supports they need.Keep growing professionally. Stay current with research, technology, and best practices in visual impairment and orientation and mobility.Make every day different. Your work may take you from a classroom to a neighborhood, public transportation system, community setting, or student's home.What You’ll DoTVI ServicesProvide direct, consultative, indirect, and assessment-based services to students with visual impairments.Develop and implement individualized services and educational strategies aligned with student needs and IEP/IFSP goals.Conduct assessments and make recommendations regarding visual access, instructional needs, accommodations, materials, and assistive technology.Provide instruction addressing the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) and skills necessary for independence.Adapt and provide accessible instructional materials and resources.Collaborate with teachers, families, related service providers, administrators, and other members of the educational team.Support students in developing self-advocacy, independence, social participation, and confidence.Participate in IEP and IFSP meetings and contribute to appropriate goals, services, and accommodations.Provide consultation and training to educational teams and families regarding the unique needs of students with visual impairments.Support students with a wide range of visual impairments, including ocular and neurological visual impairments and CVI.Orientation & Mobility ServicesProvide individualized O&M instruction based on each student's assessed needs, abilities, goals, and environment.Instruction may include:Body awareness, body image, laterality, and spatial concepts.Environmental concepts and sensory awareness.Gross and fine motor skills related to independent travel.Orientation skills and route planning.Sighted-guide procedures.Protective and information-gathering techniques.Cane skills and cane travel.Use of residual vision and low-vision devices during travel.Indoor and outdoor travel.Travel in urban, suburban, and rural environments.Business district travel.Street crossings and traffic-control systems.Public transportation.Community navigation and problem-solving.Use of phones and other technology for information gathering and emergencies.Interacting safely and effectively with the public.Travel in places of public accommodation.Independent living and daily living skills that support safe, independent travel.Teach students to travel with proficiency, safety, confidence, and increasing independence in both familiar and unfamiliar environments.Assessment & PlanningConduct and analyze O&M assessments to identify short- and long-term student needs.Identify student strengths, current skills, and areas for development.Provide recommendations for indoor and outdoor travel skills.Develop appropriate O&M goals and service recommendations based on assessment results and student needs.Determine appropriate service frequency and projected duration using established assessment tools and professional guidelines.Monitor progress and adjust instruction based on student performance and changing needs.Maintain accurate records of assessments, services, progress reports, and other required documentation.Real-World Instruction & SafetyProvide O&M instruction in meaningful, authentic environments whenever appropriate.Transport students to community locations with appropriate parent/guardian permission and in accordance with company policies.Maintain student safety throughout all instructional environments while promoting maximum independence.Identify environmental barriers and recommend modifications that improve safety and accessibility.Assist in determining appropriate equipment and materials, including canes, tactile maps, models, low-vision travel devices, and other O&M resources.Order, distribute, and maintain canes and travel-related low-vision devices as needed.Collaboration & Family SupportProvide training to teachers, staff, families, and sighted peers regarding O&M needs and appropriate strategies for supporting students with visual impairments.Consult with educational team members, parents, rehabilitation professionals, and other service providers.Provide information regarding the individual needs, instructional strategies, and methodologies appropriate for each student.Support parents and families in developing their child's independence.Promote positive attitudes and understanding of visual impairment.Facilitate social participation and interaction with peers.Coordinate with physical and occupational therapists and other professionals when appropriate.Participate in transition planning and help students prepare for future educational, employment, and independent-living goals.Community & Transition SupportHelp connect students and families with appropriate community, rehabilitation, recreational, and educational resources.Provide information about local and regional O&M programs and services.Share information about summer programs, camps, recreational opportunities, work experiences, and other community resources.Assist families with applications or referrals to appropriate agencies and programs.Participate in opportunities that help students develop meaningful work, community, and independent-living experiences.Professional ResponsibilitiesMaintain accurate and professional service documentation and submit service logs within required timelines.Complete progress reports according to student program requirements and applicable deadlines.Attend IEP and IFSP meetings as appropriate.Maintain accurate schedules, calendars, student records, and required documentation.Communicate regularly with families and educational teams regarding student progress and needs.Communicate with low-vision specialists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other professionals when appropriate.Maintain professional certifications and stay current with best practices in TVI and O&M.Continue professional learning through conferences, workshops, professional organizations, research, and relevant publications.Participate actively in weekly team meetings and employee training.Contribute to a positive, organized, and collaborative work environment.Follow established policies, procedures, and lines of communication.Perform other duties related to student services as assigned.We’re looking for someone who is:Passionate about helping students with visual impairments become confident, capable, and independent.Creative and resourceful when solving problems.Comfortable working with students with moderate to severe disabilities, complex access needs, CVI, and/or deafblindness.Comfortable working with students across a wide range of ages and abilities.Able to build strong, trusting relationships with students and families.A strong communicator and collaborative team member.Comfortable working independently while also knowing when to seek support or collaboration.Organized, dependable, punctual, and able to manage multiple priorities.Emotionally mature and able to maintain professionalism and good judgment in challenging situations.Flexible and comfortable adapting instruction to changing student needs and environments.Interested in continuing to develop professional knowledge and skills.Comfortable providing services in both remote/hybrid and in-person environments.Proficient with Google Workspace, including Google Calendar, Drive, and related tools.Required QualificationsCalifornia Education Specialist Credential in Visual Impairment (VI).California Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential – Orientation & Mobility (O&M).Experience working with students with visual impairments is required.Experience with students with CVI, complex access needs, and/or deafblindness is strongly valued.1 year of teaching experience required.1 year of special education experience required.Additional state certifications or credentials are a plus.A Career With PurposeThe right TVI/O&M Specialist can change what a student believes is possible.Whether you're teaching a student to navigate a hallway independently, cross a street safely, use public transportation, access classroom materials, advocate for their needs, or confidently participate in their community, your work has a direct and lasting impact.If you are an experienced TVI and O&M Specialist who believes that visual impairment should never limit a student's potential, we'd love to meet you.Apply today and bring your expertise, creativity, and passion to a team that is helping students see—and navigate—what’s possible.