BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB TITLE : Orientation and Mobility Instructor

REPORTS TO : Principal & Supervisor, Related Services

DEFINITION : Under the direction of the school principal and Supervisor, Office of Related Services, plans and provides for appropriate learning experiences for students. Instructs and supervises students in a variety of school-related settings. Monitors and evaluates student outcomes. Performs other duties as assigned.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES :

• Provides instructional and consultative services on an itinerant basis to students with visual impairments from birth through twenty-one.
• Collaborates and consults with school staff, families, and administrators in instructional, behavioral, and, environmental modifications and accommodations related to the students' visual impairments.
• Schedules and instructs assigned students at assigned locations. Maintains a safe and orderly learning environment.
• Participates in Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams and completes assessments, develops IEPS, and provides services in compliance with IEPs.
• Maintains documentation in accordance with the Department of Special Education, Office of Related Services requirements.
• Attends required meetings and training/professional development activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

Education, Training, and Experience :

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in an applicable field.
Requirements of a university-based program in orientation and mobility, including a supervised internship or externship in orientation and mobility.

Licenses and Certificates:

Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP); OR National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Knowledge of the principles and practices of special education. Knowledge of effective instructional techniques, instructional materials, equipment, and assistive technology for the visually impaired. Knowledge of and skill in the use of database, internet, spreadsheet, word processing, and related applications. Knowledge of and skill in the use of assistive technology for students who are visually impaired or blind.

Effective communication skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Ability to maintain confidential information.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :
The work of an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired is performed in multiple school-based environments, as well as community-based settings. Work requires the ability to move between schools and classrooms on a daily basis. Work includes the operation of office equipment, including personal computers and assistive technology devices. Requires travel throughout the county to offices, schools, and community settings.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Requires some attendance at after-school and evening meetings and events.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS: Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) is committed to providing the highest quality education to BCPS students and staff while ensuring the health and safety of its students, employees, customers, clients, contractors, interns, and other visitors. BCPS strongly encourages all persons to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. Information about accessing COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can be found at https://coronavirusvaccineoutreach-bc-gis.hub.arcgis.com/ . Detailed information about BCPS' COVID-19 mitigation plan and requirements can be found at https://www.bcps.org/covid19

FLSA STATUS : Exempt

Eligible for membership in the Maryland State Retirement System.

Established: 5/2021
Revised: 7/2022

This document describes the duties and responsibilities of a position. It shall not be held to exclude duties not referenced nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Each time an applicant applies to a job with BCPS, the application must be resubmitted. If an applicant started an application with BCPS in the past and at a later date decides to apply for additional positions, it is the applicant's responsibility to review the entire application and ensure that all data is up to date (for example, the applicant may need to add additional schooling or certifications, an additional work experience, or provide updated references). The applicant must remember to review the entire application each time for accuracy and submit each time for a new or different vacancy.
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted. Applicants should notify their reference proactively to inform them they will receive a form via email through a MAILBOT email address from Baltimore County Public Schools. Applicants should also inform their reference(s) of the job they are applying to.
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
• Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (per COMAR) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $106. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
• If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
• Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.
• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
• All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.
• Additional job verification will be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, Maryland 21220 (443-809-4360).

Contact Information

Sally Barbieri, HRO
Special Education Staffing Team
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 443-809-4605
Fax: 410-296-0568
Email: sbarbieri@bcps.org