Position Summary

Under the direction of the Low Incidence (LI) Humboldt-Del Norte (HDN) SELPA Program Director, provides orientation and mobility instruction, as appropriate, in the following areas: body awareness; laterality; environmental concepts; gross and fine motor skills related to independent travel; sensory awareness, stimulation, and training; spatial concepts; sighted guide procedures; basic protective and information gathering techniques; orientation skills; map skills; cane skills; use of residual vision; low vision aids related to travel skills; residential travel; travel in business districts; procedures for crossing streets, including traffic control signals; use of public transportation systems; procedures for travel and independent functioning in places of public accommodation; skills of daily living; sensory/motor skills in coordination with the appropriate therapist and teacher of the visually impaired and general education teacher.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The HDN SELPA serves a diverse group of local LEAs. The HDN SELPA spans two counties on the coast of Northern California. Humboldt and Del Norte counties are unique and located in the heart of the redwood coast. Schools which are supported range from small one-school districts to our largest district which serves just over 3000 students. The Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of students, teachers, and school settings. This position is itinerant and allows for autonomy and growth.

Supervision Received and Exercised

This position is under the direct supervision of the LI HDN SELPA Program Director. Monthly supervision is provided.

Examples Of Duties and Responsibilities (Examples of Essential Job Functions)

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides direct instruction to students and periodic consultation as needed to help the student with visual impairments function maximally within the school setting
• Assists the IEP Team with student assessment, individualized instructional plan design, implementation and progress monitoring for each student, and provides written reports as required
• Provides advice on establishing and maintaining a classroom atmosphere and environment which lessens the impact of the student’s impaired condition
• Facilitates student learning in the least restrictive environment by providing support services to the regular and/or special education classroom teacher
• Demonstrates alternative methods, techniques and educational strategies to facilitate special student learning needs
• Provides information to IEP and assessment teams regarding resources available to children and families
• Demonstrates the proper use and care of specialized adaptive equipment as may be required by the student’s physical impairment
• Assists in transition of students from program to program in keeping with goals identified by the IEP Team
• Maintains ongoing contact with parents to assist them in development of realistic understanding of child’s abilities, progress and future goals
• Acquires and disseminates information on current research, development, technology and other resources related to the visually impaired
• Provides information, training, and instruction to school staff members, student’s family and community members, increasing awareness and effectiveness of the provision and function of O&M skills (including human guide and blindfolded training when appropriate)
• Establishes and maintains comprehensive student/program files as required
• Supports the policies and programs of the HDN SELPA and performs assigned duties consistent with school, district or office policies, regulations and procedures
• Maintains professional competency by actively engaging in employer directed in-service activities and other similar opportunities provided to staff
• Cooperatively engages in the professional evaluation process with supervisor to ensure ongoing professional growth and competence
• Effectively communicates with staff, parents and agencies
• Attends regular and special staff meetings and actively participates as a member of the educational team
• Responds effectively to the input from and coordinates tasks with district/school personnel as required by assignment
• For professionals holding dual credentials in Vision Impairment and Orientation & Mobility, responsibilities may include delivering comprehensive vision instruction and support services to assigned students.
• Completes all billing and service tracking as required
• Performs other related duties
• Sets up observations/home visits for transition IEP’s
• Meets with parents on a regular basis to review student progress and work on individual development issues.
• Works closely with other members of the program staff to develop and maintain curriculum and standards.
• Participates in transition plans for students moving to less restrictive environments.
• Works cooperatively with personnel from the student’s district of residence and outside agencies providing services to the student and family.
• Participates in professional growth activities such as conferences, classes, staff meetings and visitations.
• Provides direct instruction and services as indicated on IEP for assigned pupils.
• Instructs students and adults working with the student in the use of technological aids appropriate to the student’s disability
• Instructs visually impaired students in the development of skills and knowledge that enable them to travel independently to the highest degree possible based on assessed needs and the students’ IEP
• Confers regularly with parents, classroom teachers, physical education teachers, and/or other special education personnel to assist in home and classroom environmental modifications, adaptations, and considerations and to ensure reinforcement of appropriate orientation and mobility skills that will encourage the visually impaired student to travel independently in these settings
• Works with the teacher of the visually impaired to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel
• Prepares and uses equipment and materials for the development of orientation and mobility skills, e.g., tactual maps, models, distance low vision aids, and long canes
• Transports students to various community locations as necessary to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments
• Responsible for students’ safety at all times and in all teaching environments while fostering maximum independence
• Provides orientation and mobility instruction, where in appropriate, in the following areas: body imagery; laterality; environmental concepts; gross and fine motor skills related to independent travel; sensory awareness, stimulation, and training; spatial concepts; sighted guide procedures; basic protective and information gathering techniques; orientation skills; map skills; cane skills; use of residual vision; low vision aids related to travel skills; residential travel; travel in business districts; procedures for crossing streets, including traffic control signals; use of public transportation systems; procedures for use of the telephone for information gathering and application of community address systems; procedures for travel and independent functioning in places of public accommodation; skills of daily living; sensory/motor skills in coordination with the physical or occupational therapist and teacher of the visually impaired

Qualifications (aka Employment Standards) –

Knowledge of and Ability to:

• Knowledge of subject area and current instructional methodologies and techniques associated with the visually impaired child.
• Skill in administration, analysis, and interpretation of a variety of assessment measures.
• Ability to teach students of a wide variety of levels and age ranges.
• Ability to work effectively with parents, community and education colleagues in and outside the program.
• Ability to function as a positive, contributing member of an educational team.

Education And Experience

Minimum Required:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree

Credentials Required

• Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential – Orientation and Mobility
• Must meet requirements set by the State of California for certification authorization specific to Orientation and Mobility Specialist.

Preferred:

• Dual California Credential: Orientation and Mobility; Visual Impairment
• Bilingual
• Master’s Degree

Working Conditions (Work Environment)

• Work is performed in an office or school environment, and involves continuous contact with staff, and representatives of other agencies.
• This position operates as an itinerant role, requiring regular travel between multiple school sites within the district and the HDN SELPA office to serve students across various locations.

Physical Demands

• The usual and customary method of performing the job’s functions requires the following physical demands: frequent lifting with the ability to lift 50 pounds; sufficient strength to lift non-ambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive equipment; carrying, pushing and/or pulling.
• Frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
• Manual dexterity to operate a telephone and enter data into a computer.
• Facility to sit at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations for extended periods of time.
• Facility to see and read, with or without visual aids, laws and codes, rules, policies and other printed matter, and computer screens and printouts.
• Facility to hear and understand speech at normal room levels and to hear and understand speech on the telephone.
• Facility to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal conversations, in training sessions, and other meetings.
• Facility to drive an automobile or navigate public transportation

Note: This list of essential functions and physical requirements is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

Other Requirements

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; some positions may require a California driver’s license, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV Pull Notice Program once employed.