Orientation and Mobility Specialist

THE POSITION

Are you in search of a rewarding career in which you can make a genuine impact on the lives of your fellow Pennsylvanians in need?  The Department of Labor and Industry is seeking an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to provide instruction to blind and visually impaired customers, in addition to evaluating and teaching independent travel within the customers’ homes, workplaces, and communities.  Take pride in the valuable work you do and apply with us today! 

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will have the opportunity to promote optimal personal and social adjustment to blindness, leading to self-sufficiency, independent living, and contributing to the customer's rehabilitation process through instruction and consultation.

You will assess customers referred for orientation and mobility by collecting and reviewing reports/information, conferring with staff, interviewing customers, and observing current level of functioning to develop an individualized plan of instruction and/or make referrals for appropriate services.

Utilize a comprehensive approach to develop an individualized service plan that contains a schedule of instructions based on objectives/recommendations and in coordination with the Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, and Social Services plan.  You will have the exciting opportunity to implement plans to teach adaptive travel techniques to children and adults in an individual and/or group setting.  

Interested in learning more?  Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information: 

• Full-time employment 

• Work hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. 

• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time.  In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection.  If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Philadelphia.

• Salary: Most employees will start at the beginning level of the advertised salary.

• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email.  Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. 

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS 
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: 

• Successful completion of the commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program; 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. 

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. 

How to Apply: 

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.  Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). 

• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements.  Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 

• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date.  Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. 

• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov. 

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). 

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. 
 

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. 

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.  No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam). 

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.

• Your score is valid for this specific posting only. 

• You must provide complete and accurate information or: 

• your score may be lower than deserved. 

• you may be disqualified. 

• You may only apply/test once for this posting. 

• Your results will be provided via email. 

Orientation and Mobility Specialist | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)