Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Position Purpose

Responsible for the services, instruction, and support that prepares students with visual impairments to travel independently and safely. The O&M specialist travels to the student’s assigned schools and/or home to provide direct and/or consultative services relating to the visual impairment. These services enable the students to travel safely, efficiently, and independently in their home, school, and community environments.

Essential Functions

• Develop, plan, prepare, and implement:
  • Orientation and mobility evaluations that focus on long- and short-term needs of the student for new referrals and at intervals as designated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
  • Classroom materials, activities, and lesson plans that model appropriate O&M techniques.
  • Individualized programs within the general curriculum to include orientation and mobility strategies.
  • Instruction in visual efficiency, tactile symbols, braille, assistive technology, auditory skills, social skills, use of near and distance low vision devices, and other areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.
  • Spatial and environmental concepts and use of information received by the senses to establish, maintain, or regain orientation and line of travel.
  • Adapted materials by registering eligible students with the Colorado Instructional Materials Center (CIMC).
• Facilitate student growth by developing gross and fine motor skills, sensory skills, and basic concepts.
• Create a classroom environment which maximizes instructional opportunity, supervise the behavior and wellbeing of students in the classroom and all educational settings, and administer discipline when appropriate.
• Monitor student learning and progress to:
  • Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functional level, and motivation level.
  • Evaluate success of the educational approaches, specialized instruction, supports, and services.
  • Adapt support as needed.
  • Maintain documentation pertinent to academic, social, and emotional progress and needs of students.
  • Ensure appropriate vision-specific supports are in place and that necessary skills are attained for transition from school to adult life.
• Communicate students’ progress, needs, and eligibility with parents and other staff as needed.
• Collaborate:
  • With the teacher of the visually impaired to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel.
  • With parents/guardians, teachers, support personnel, administrators, and other special education providers to implement program and improve student outcomes for students with vision impairment.
  • With colleagues in team and building-based meetings and discussions.
• Demonstrate a commitment to:
  • Understand, appreciate, and make accommodations for student diversity.
  • Include and engage families in the student’s education.
  • Support all CEC policies, procedures, and expectations.
  • Provide personal and professional excellence.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with proper teaching licensure program required.
• Valid Colorado special services license with appropriate endorsement of School Orientation and Mobility Specialist required.
• Experience in an educational setting with students with visual impairment needs preferred.

Conditions of Employment

• All offers of employment are conditional upon a successful background and references check
• As required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), the selected applicant must verify, within 72 hours of employment, his/her legal right to be employed in the United States

Colorado Early Colleges is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services.

*Please note that we may begin reviewing applications and make hiring decisions prior to the application deadline.  Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.