Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Position: Orientation and Mobility Specialist

(Full-time ten-month assignment)

Effective 2023 - 2024 AND 2024 - 2025 School Years

Salary: The salary for this position will be based on EASMC salary schedule for ten-month employees.

Location: Department of Special Education

NATURE OF WORK:

This is a professional position to prepare students with visual impairments to travel independently and safely. Orientation and Mobility (O & M) is one of the nine areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) required to be evaluated for students with visual impairments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Evaluate students and provide reports/information to the student’s IEP Team for eligibility determination;
• Analyze data to make instructional decisions;
• Develop and monitor IEP goals and objectives based on assessment and data information;
• Deliver specialized instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum and compensatory strategies deemed necessary by the IEP team (Braille, low vision devices, technology);
• Monitor and report progress on goals and objectives;
• Provide direct or consultative services to enable students to travel safely, efficiently and independently in their home, school and community environments; and
• Instruct in the Expanded Core Curriculum.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete Orientation and Mobility assessment to determine present levels of performance and identify areas of need;
• Analyze and synthesize data and present within a formal written report;
• Develop IEP goals and objectives based on present levels of performance, formative and summative assessment information;
• Collaborate with general educators to disseminate information about student needs;
• Utilize assessment data to determine appropriate instructional strategies, modifications, and accommodations necessary for student access to travel in the home, school and community environments;
• Perform frequent formal and informal assessments to monitor and further guide instruction;
• Communicate positively and frequently with families on student progress;
• Work collaboratively with the educational team to provide knowledge about learners who are visually impaired and their travel needs;
• Ensure that all IEPs and IFSPs are implemented with fidelity;
• Provide positive communication to team members and families about student’s progress and achievement;
• Complete and maintain Medical Assistance logs;
• Collect, analyze and report data to monitor progress, determine and report present levels of performance and to develop appropriate goals and objectives; and
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; AND completed any one of the credentialing options listed below;

  • Hold a certificate as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP);
  • Hold National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB); or
  • Complete all requirements of a university-based program in orientation and mobility, including a supervised internship or externship in orientation and mobility.

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:

Full-time ten-month assignment.

SALARY GRADE RANGE:

The salary for this EXEMPT position will be based on EASMC salary schedule for ten-month employees.

BARGAINING UNIT ELIGIBILITY: EASMC

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all applicants, re-advertise, and/or withdraw the positions.

The St. Mary’s County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status or sexual orientation, religion, or disability in matters affecting employment or providing access to programs.