Orientation and Mobility Specialist
- Employer
- Hamilton County Department of Education
- Location
- Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
- Salary
- Competitive
View more
- Job Category
- Administrator, Specialist / Coordinator
Job Details
Overview
The purpose of this classification is to provide instruction to blind and visually impaired students to assist them with development of body image, laterality and directionality, spatial and environmental concepts, sensory training, safe and independent travel.
Responsibilities
- Conducts orientation and mobility assessments.
- Interprets eye medical reports, as they relate to the student's movement throughout his/her environment.
- Works with the teachers of the visually impaired to conduct functional vision assessments as it relates to independent travel.
- Instructs students with visual impairment to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments-to include, but not limited to: guide techniques, squaring off, upper and lower protective techniques.
- Provides direct instruction in the unique orientation and mobility curriculum such as, concept development, visual efficiency skills, pre-cane skills, cane sills, and map skills.
- Provides instruction including but not limited to: (1) How to locate, detect, and negotiate stairways including ascending/descending, fall prevention/recovery, and checking for hazards; (2) Non-visual techniques for safely crossing controlled and uncontrolled intersections; (3) How to utilize public transportation including route planning, locating transit stops, boarding and exiting buses and other vehicles: (4) How to navigate escalators, elevators, revolving doors, and other challenges encountered when traveling; (5) How to locate, use, and navigate public facilities such as parks, shopping malls, and college campuses.
- Prepares materials and uses equipment during instruction, such as tactile maps, models, distance low vision devices, adaptive mobility devices, and long canes for the development of orientation and mobility skills.
- Provides assessment information to determine present levels of performance as related to orientation and mobility.
- Develops short and long-term goals and objectives and plan specific learning tasks to help students achieve the goals and objectives.
- Prepares schedules for students receiving orientation and mobility services.
- Maintains accurate and up-to-date records.
- Provides regular consultation and support to parents, classroom teachers, and other school personnel.
- Participates in activities related to professional development and training as appropriate.
- Works collaboratively with administrators, faculty, and staff.
- Attends work regularly and arrives to work on time.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Adheres to the Teacher Code of Ethics.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary or as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge/Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree required.
- Certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals required.
- Minimum two (2) years work experience as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist required.
Skills/Qualifications:
- Skill in conducting assessments and interpreting results.
- Ability to develop short and long-term goals.
- Ability to use a variety of equipment and devices relating to blind and visually impaired students.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
- Skill utilizing customer service/public relation techniques when responding to inquiries and complaints
- Operate a motor vehicle to conduct site visits.
Education Requirement
Bachelor's Degree
Years Experience Requirement
2
Company
Hamilton County Schools, located in beautiful Chattanooga, TN, is hiring, supporting, and retaining outstanding top teaching talent. We are the fastest improved district in Tennessee and have a goal to become the best. With nearly 80 schools located in urban, rural, and suburban communities, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.
Why Join our Team?
New Teacher Support: With our progressive three-year induction program for new teachers, you will have the following supports:
- New Teacher Academy
- First Year Mentor & Supportive Professional Development
- Whole-Teacher/Well-Teacher (wellness & mindfulness training)
Leadership Opportunities: Grow your career with Hamilton County Schools, no matter your professional goals:
- Train to become a mentor teacher or professional development presenter
- Obtain your National Board Certification and get a $4,000 salary increase
- Apply for leadership pipeline programs for instructional coaching or administration
- Be a part of innovative programs that are unique to Hamilton County like Teacherpreneur and STEM Fellows
- Travel the world as a Fund for Teachers recipient
Experience all Chattanooga has to offer:
- Chattanooga has a metro area of 500,000 people - not too big and not too small - and under two hours from Nashville, Atlanta, Knoxville, and Birmingham
- Award-winning city for outdoor activities, music, art and culture
- 25 + local music, art, and food festivals every year
We are seeking teaching candidates who are:
- Committed to high academic achievement and high expectations for all students
- Able to be a positive team-player and communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, students, and families
- Open to being coached and receiving feedback in order to advance learning and growth for students
- Experienced in high-need or Title-I School settings. Experience with English Language Learners is a plus.
- Professionals with high personal standards and integrity
Compensation & Total Rewards
- Competitive salary range commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive benefits package includes multiple health insurance options, vision, dental reimbursement, short and long-term disability, life insurance, on-site clinics, and a wellness program
- Childcare for Hamilton County teachers available in multiple schools
- Competitive retirement plans through Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System, including a hybrid 401k and pension plan. In 2018, TCRS was ranked in the top four best funded State Pension plans by the Pew Charitable Trust.
About Hamilton County Schools
Hamilton County Schools, located in beautiful Chattanooga, TN, is the fastest improving district in the state of Tennessee. We believe in success for all students and are dedicated to helping all students succeed to their highest potential. With nearly 80 schools located in urban, rural, and suburban communities, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.
Who we serve: Hamilton County Schools serves over 42,000 students across our diverse county in urban, rural and suburban communities. Our families speak 125 languages and approximately 8.5% of our students are English language learners.
Our results: The state of Tennessee has recognized Hamilton County as an “Advancing” school district.
A few of our recent achievements include:
- #2 out of 146 districts in the state of Tennessee for student growth and a Level 5 district for 2018-2019
- 45 Level 5 schools and 32 reward schools
- 16 Volkswagen E-Labs - the highest concentration of fabrication labs of any district in the US or abroad
- Milken Award winning teacher; State Principal of the Year (2017)
- 13 High Schools with over 18 Future Ready Institutes
- Website
- http://www.hcde.org/
- Telephone
- 4234987048
- Location
-
3074 Hickory Valley Road
Chattanooga
TN
37421
US
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