VRS Orientation & Mobility Specialist

The Lighthouse for The Blind in New Orleans; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional vision rehabilitation organization in New Orleans is seeking a VRS Orientation & Mobility Specialist to provide assessments and training for clients with vision loss. This role involves various responsibilities including advocacy, community engagement, and direct service provision. Ideal candidates will possess a degree in Orientation & Mobility and necessary certifications, along with strong communication skills. The position is full-time, Monday-Friday, with a salary range of $67,000 to $72,000.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 350 hours experience instructing people with vision loss.
• Confidence instructing transition students and adults.
• Ability to travel independently for training.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality O&M assessments and training for clients.
• Document services and ensure timely invoicing.
• Support visually impaired Lighthouse employees.
• Conduct sensitivity training for new employees.
• Participate in education and advocacy events.

Skills

Proficient in assessing and teaching orientation & mobility

Competence in instructing people with varying degrees of vision impairment

Knowledge of visual disabilities

Effective teaching skills

Strong troubleshooting skills

Superior oral and written communication skills

Proficient in Office software and internet

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Orientation & Mobility

ACVREP certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Job description

Now Hiring: VRS Orientation & Mobility Specialist

Vision Rehabilitation Services

Location: New Orleans, LA

Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday (40 hours/week)

Salary Range: 67,000.00 -72,000.00

About the Role

The Vision Rehab Services (VRS) Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) provides quality assessments and training to clients of all ages in the New Orleans region. The job requires both facility-based and itinerant training to foster safe and independent travel for clients in home, work, and community settings. Additionally, the VRS COMS advocates for the needs of people with vision loss as a representative of the Lighthouse by participating in community education events, advocacy opportunities, and meetings with local coalitions.

Job Responsibilities

1. Perform quality O&M assessments and subsequent training to support the mobility needs of clients across all service areas to include facility, home, work, and community venues. Develop goals and objectives following each evaluation to ensure that all clients reach their highest abilities based on individual needs and desires. Collect pre and post data to measure service outcomes.
2. Submit assessments, progress summaries, discharge summaries, daily notes, and invoices by procedure to support reimbursement from all funding sources. Accurately document all services as determined by department policy to ensure timely invoicing and to maintain good communication with Lighthouse staff, referral sources, and contracting agencies.
3. Provide individual and group instruction to participants in the ReVision Programs for clients who qualify for Older Blind services as outlined in the program curricula.
4. Collaborate with VRS staff to develop and implement youth services for the Light Steps and Forward Steps programs. Contribute to team effort in planning, executing, and attending seasonal Lighthouse Youth events.
5. Collaborate with the vision rehabilitation and Workforce Development teams to optimize communication regarding client needs and plans for services across all Lighthouse programs.
6. Conduct sensitivity training for new Lighthouse employees across all Lighthouse locations.
7. Support Lighthouse employees who are visually impaired to enhance their efficiency, productivity, and safety on the job. Consult management staff to resolve identified challenges as requested.
8. Stay current on emerging and assistive technology that enhances orientation and mobility for people who are blind or have low vision.
9. Collaborate as a member of the Sense Abilities team to enhance accessibility for people who are blind or have low vision by conducting environmental assessments for public venues, providing educational presentations, and leading interactive training events to staff and volunteers of partner organizations.
10. Participate in education and advocacy events to promote inclusion for people who have vision loss and to engage with the community at outreach events.
11. Represent Lighthouse Louisiana and the interests of the BVI community as a member of specified coalitions or local advocacy groups regarding community mobility, public transportation, or public access.
12. Foster a team environment with effective communication and a coordinated approach to providing vision rehabilitation services. Follow all Lighthouse standard operating procedures.
13. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services.

Job Qualifications & Requirements

1. Education: bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited program with emphasis in Orientation & Mobility required. The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation Education Professionals (ACVREP) certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist is required. Students in the process of obtaining ACVREP certification may be considered.
2. Special Knowledge/Skills: Proficient skills for assessing and teaching O&M in various settings; Competence to instruct people with varying degrees of vision impairment to safely navigate simple and complex street crossings, manage public transit, and effectively travel through public spaces; Knowledge of visual disabilities and effects on functional skills; Knowledge and skill in the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to support independent travel for people who are blind; Confidence instructing transition students, working aged adults, and people who may have additional disabilities; Effective teaching skills with ability to assess and adjust training to optimize progress; Strong troubleshooting skills; Superior oral and written communications; Ability to develop and perform professional presentations; Proficient in the use of Office software products and the internet is required.
3. Experience: Minimum of 350 hours experience instructing people with varying degrees of vision loss on the use of adaptive strategies and mobility aids for safe and independent navigation required. Experience and proficiency with completing assessments and drafting professional reports.
4. Supervisory Responsibilities: Volunteers and interns, as needed
5. Physical: Good physical health to support outdoor training during all seasons. Able to walk long distances and manage public transportation systems independently. Able to manage transportation and training for off-site instruction around client homes and businesses. Must be energetic and able to function in a dynamic office setting. Have the ability to independently travel throughout multiple service regions, including driving in all conditions for extended periods to support travel between Lighthouse locations and throughout southeast Louisiana.
6. Personality Traits: Friendly, client-focused, and flexible; Professional in appearance and attitude; Creative problem solver who is detail-oriented and works well with others; Collaborative spirit but able to work independently when needed; Mission-minded teacher who motivates clients and teams to achieve successful outcomes; Openly offers and accepts constructive feedback.
7. Working Conditions: Outdoors, classroom, client home/work, and commercial and industrial environments. Frequent travel required. Mileage reimbursement provided to service providers who travel to/from client appointments. Valid driver’s license and clear driving record required with valid Louisiana insurance coverage.
8. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Occasional weekend community outreach activities or special events.
9. Background Check, Drug Test, and motor vehicle report required. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results.
10. Federal Suitability Requirements: N/A.

This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. The incumbent in this position will perform such other tasks as may be required for the effective operation of the Division/Department upon request by his/her supervisor.