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Orientation and Mobility Provider

Washtenaw Intermediate School District
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The WISD’s Mission is to promote the continuous improvement of achievement for every student while providing high-quality service to our customers through leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

The WISD’s Vision is to be a leader in empowering, facilitating, and delivering high-quality, boundary- spanning, educational system that educates all children through an equitable, inclusive and holistic approach.

SUMMARY
The O & M Related Service Provider evaluates, plans, coordinates, and implements appropriate programs of instruction in orientation and mobility for students with visual impairments; works with related staff members, school personnel, families, and communities in an effort to provide reinforcement and encouragement to students in the use of appropriate skills so they may move independently, safely, and purposefully through the environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, social justice, and inclusion in all practices and position responsibilities.
  • Demonstrates the ability to examine how his/her/their position (directly or indirectly) impacts educational inequities in student achievement outcomes.
  • Engages in reflection and ongoing learning and development on critical concepts and terms identified in the Washtenaw ISD Educational Equity Policy, including concepts such as cultural proficiency, racial equity, and systemic and structural inequities.
  • Assesses, develops, and implements orientation and mobility instructional programs appropriate to age and skill levels.
  • Provides direct instruction and training to students who are Blind/Low Vision in sensory development, environmental awareness training, and travel instruction within the student’s school environment, neighborhood, and general travel areas (e.g., rural, residential, semi- business, and business areas) as appropriate.
  • Trains students in the use of adaptive mobility devices and assistive technology which allow for increased independence.
  • Incorporates O & M goals from the “Special Education outcome Guides for Visually Impaired.”
  • Coordinates in-service training with, and for, school personnel, parents, and employers, as appropriate.
  • Conducts functional vision assessment as it relates to travel considerations and provides training in the use of low vision aids to facilitate appropriate independent travel.
  • Attends and participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee and Multidisciplinary Education meetings.
  • Provides individual pre-cane program of concept formation with regard to body image, space, time, and early motor skills, and training in long cane skills in various travel situations, indoors and outdoors, as appropriate.
  • Provides information and training techniques as needed in personal management and self-care skills to students and their families.
  • Coordinates a comprehensive O & M program through counseling, recommendations, and provides recommendations/suggestions to parents, teachers, employers, and other persons or agencies working with the student.
  • Maintains regular predictable attendance.
  • OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed within the job description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

  • Possess a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility from an Association for Education and Rehabilitation of Blind / Visually Impaired (AER) approved university or college.
  • Possesses three (3) years of successful experience - preferred.
  • Possesses experience with computer instruction and technology.
  • Possesses extensive experience with, and knowledge of, behavior management principles.
  • Possesses experience working with students with cognitive impairments, emotional impairments, and autism.
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of special equipment and its use for students with disabilities.
  • Possesses experience with consulting in a general education setting.
  • Demonstrates knowledge in the use of technology for communications and student instruction.
  • Possesses a record of collaborative teamwork.
  • Demonstrates exemplary attendance.

  CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

  • Must be a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professional (ACVREP).

LANGUAGE SKILLS

  • Demonstrates ability to read, analyze, and interpret information.
  • Demonstrates ability to write reports.
  • Demonstrates ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of teachers, parents, and building administrators.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Demonstrates ability to integrate technology into the everyday workflow is necessary.
  • Demonstrates ability to utilize District technology and maintain proficiency, as required skill sets change with technology and/or the needs of the district.
  • Demonstrates ability to use computer technology for research, data management, communications, and other instruction.
  • Demonstrates ability to use a personal computer (PC) or MAC in a networked environment to utilize the internet and other electronic communication mechanisms.
  • Exhibits knowledge of productivity applications such as Microsoft Office (word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation software).
  • Demonstrates ability to select and administer appropriate assessment tools and interpret results of assessment.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

  • Demonstrates ability to apply math concepts consistent with the duties of this position.

REASONING ABILITY:

  • Demonstrates high proficiency in subject areas of reasoning, problem solving, organizational dynamics and emotional intelligence.
  • Exhibits ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
  • Exhibits ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
  • Exhibits ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

  • Exhibits ability to build rapport with others and to serve diverse publics.
  • Demonstrates the skills to be an effective team member.
  • Demonstrates ability to take initiative, work well with others as a collaborative team member and exhibit good communication skills.
  • Demonstrates professional communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrates ability to work effectively and collaboratively with other departments, agencies, and individuals.
  • Demonstrates ability to work creatively and skillfully with students.
  • Demonstrates ability to take initiative and understanding in working with students, staff, and parents/guardians.
  • Demonstrates skills in parent consultation and working with diverse populations within the community.
  • Demonstrates a philosophical position that is aligned with the WISD mission of support in the least restrictive environment and inclusive educational settings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds such as books and teaching material or when assisting in student interventions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The ability to travel to other buildings is required. The position requires the individual to sometimes work irregular or extended work hours and meet multiple demands from several people.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well-being of students. The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk than the average person. Occasionally the employee may be required to be outdoors for a short period of time, and therefore subject to varying weather conditions, for the purpose of accomplishing the essential functions of this job.

FUNCTIONS OF POSITION DESCRIPTION:
This position description has been prepared to define the general duties of the position, provide examples of work and to detail the required knowledge, skills and ability as well as the acceptable experience and
training for the position. The description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the duties of employees under supervision. The WISD retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add to or delete from any portion of this description in its sole judgment.
 
This position description is not a contract for employment.
 
The WISD is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

TERMS: 
Position subject to terms, conditions, and calendar of the Master Agreement between the District and Unit II AFT Local 3760. Starting salary ranging (dependent upon experience) from $47,180. - $101,817.

Washtenaw Intermediate School District is a drug-free workplace.  

It is the policy and commitment of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any legally protected characteristic, in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment policies in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, executive order 11246 as amended, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and all other pertinent state and federal regulations.