Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Phila, PA, United States
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), Wilkes‑Barre District Office is eager to welcome a dedicated Orientation and Mobility Specialist to our team. In this role you will provide orientation and mobility instruction to blind and visually impaired customers and evaluate and teach independent travel in the customers’ homes, workplaces, and communities.
As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will promote optimal personal and social adjustment to blindness, leading to self‑sufficiency and independent living. Your work will include assessing customers referred to Orientation and Mobility services by collecting and reviewing reports and information, interviewing customers, observing their current level of functioning, and developing an individualized service plan that contains a schedule of instruction based on objectives and recommendations. You will monitor customer progress, evaluate achievement, and provide information, consultation, and in‑service training to staff of provider agencies, nursing homes, hospitals, and community facilities to assist them in meeting the needs of those who are blind and visually impaired.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
Full‑time employment
Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday‑Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch. Position work hours are negotiable; a 7.5‑hour workday and a 30‑ or 60‑minute lunch period are possible depending on work hours.
Alternate Work Schedule eligible
Telework:
You may have the opportunity to work from home part‑time, upon successful completion of the training period. Telework requires a securely configured high‑speed internet connection and an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you may report to the headquarters office in Wilkes‑Barre; HQ location may be flexible depending on the selected candidate. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.
Salary:
Most employees will start at the beginning level of the advertised salary.
QUALIFICATIONS
Successful completion of the Commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration);
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/credit.
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
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As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will promote optimal personal and social adjustment to blindness, leading to self‑sufficiency and independent living. Your work will include assessing customers referred to Orientation and Mobility services by collecting and reviewing reports and information, interviewing customers, observing their current level of functioning, and developing an individualized service plan that contains a schedule of instruction based on objectives and recommendations. You will monitor customer progress, evaluate achievement, and provide information, consultation, and in‑service training to staff of provider agencies, nursing homes, hospitals, and community facilities to assist them in meeting the needs of those who are blind and visually impaired.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
Full‑time employment
Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday‑Friday, with a 30‑minute lunch. Position work hours are negotiable; a 7.5‑hour workday and a 30‑ or 60‑minute lunch period are possible depending on work hours.
Alternate Work Schedule eligible
Telework:
You may have the opportunity to work from home part‑time, upon successful completion of the training period. Telework requires a securely configured high‑speed internet connection and an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you may report to the headquarters office in Wilkes‑Barre; HQ location may be flexible depending on the selected candidate. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.
Salary:
Most employees will start at the beginning level of the advertised salary.
QUALIFICATIONS
Successful completion of the Commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration);
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/credit.
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.
Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
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