www.aidb.org
P. O. Box 698 * Talladega, Alabama 35161
R- 3188 Position ID #502301
Posting Date: September 14, 2015
AIDB is sensitive to the needs of individuals who are Blind or Visually
Impaired and/or Deaf or Hard of Hearing and for qualified applicants and
employees will make reasonable accommodations.
POSITION TITLE: Orientation and Mobility Instructor - Structured
Discovery Program
Office of Field Services, Birmingham Regional Center
REPORTS TO: AIDB Birmingham Regional Center Director
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
* Must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or
university in Orientation and Mobility or closely-related field.
* Must be certified or certifiable in Orientation and Mobility by the
National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) who has
established rigorous standards for certifying competent professionals who
teach Orientation and Mobility skills using Structured Discovery Cane Travel
(SDCT) methods and principles. The successful applicant will have either
earned the designation of National Orientation and Mobility Certificant
(NOMC) within the NBPCB and/or hold certification in Orientation and
Mobility from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and
Education Professionals (ACVREP).
* Must have demonstrated knowledge of the Structured Discovery
philosophy and means by which Orientation and Mobility is integrated as a
core programmatic component.
* Must demonstrate competency in BRAILLE by scoring 80% on the AIDB
Braille Skills Assessment within the first twelve (12) months of employment.
* Must illustrate the ability to establish and maintain effective
working relationships with staff; consumers and their families; program
graduates; peer Orientation and Mobility Specialists; advisory groups; and
agencies such as the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services along
with contemporary Structured Discovery Programs.
* Demonstrated maturity, self-motivation, and the ability to exercise
sound judgment.
* Must illustrate outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal
communication skills.
* Must either possess or develop an understanding of cultures and
needs of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, low vision or
deafblind, ensuring all actions and decisions demonstrate a respect for and
value of persons with sensory loss.
* Required extensive vicinity and occasional overnight travel.
* The successful applicant must submit to a criminal history
background information check including, but not limited to FBI and ABI
record repositories. Upon offer of employment, the applicant must present a
non-refundable fee of $49.65 and appear for scheduled finger printing
appointment.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Conduct Orientation and Mobility assessments, focusing on the
Structured Discovery student's long/short-term needs grounded in nonvisual
instruction; cognitive problem solving; and concerted strategies for
clarifying attitudes and raising expectations surrounding blindness.
* Based on said assessment and continued evaluation, provide
individualized Orientation and Mobility instruction and consultation for
Structured Discovery Program participants.
* Prepare lesson plans inclusive of sequential and meaningful
instruction geared to the student's assessed needs; Individualized
Employment Plan and/or Personal Futures Plan; functioning and motivational
levels.
* Prepare and use equipment and materials for the development of
Orientation and Mobility skills, following the Structured Discovery
curricula and philosophy.
* Document Structured Discovery participant progress daily.
* Instruct Structured Discovery students in the development of skills
and knowledge which will enable them to travel independently to the highest
degree possible based on assessed needs and the participants' evaluation,
Individualized Employment Plan and/or Personal Futures Plan.
* Assist Structured Discovery participants in travelling to various
community locations as necessary to provide meaningful instruction in
realistic learning environments until participants achieve the skills to
arrange for their own transportation.
* Present in-service training to AIDB Birmingham Regional Center and
Structured Discovery staff on appropriate Orientation and Mobility
techniques as needed.
* Participate in the Structured Discovery Strategic Planning process
to provide a continuum of services aligning with AIDB's efforts to design
innovative instructional programs to meet the unique and changing education
and rehabilitation needs of students, consumers and families.
* Actively seek ways to educate through effective marketing and
positive public relations to enhance and expand the Structured Discovery
Program.
* Participate in state and national meetings, workshops,
presentations, conferences and consumer groups, sharing information learned
and best practice methodology to internal/external audiences.
* Observe the Code of Ethics of the Orientation and Mobility
profession.
* Keep abreast of current research and Orientation and Mobility
teaching strategies.
* Review and update the Structured Discovery Orientation and Mobility
curriculum as necessary.
* Protect confidentiality of student information while maintaining
required records and reports inclusive of data entry into the Gentry
Referral Information Net (GRIN).
* Demonstrate professionalism in behavior and dress that serves as a
role model, setting a good example for Structured Discovery participants and
aligning with the AIDB culture.
* Attend departmental, inner-agency and campus-wide faculty/committee
meetings as assigned.
* Perform other duties as assigned.
SALARY: $38,259 - $50,954 Scale I1 Rank 2T (BS-Class B
Certification)
$44,845 - $58,524 Scale I1 Rank IT (MS- Class A
Certification)
$47,740 - $61,847 Scale I1 Rank AA (AA
Certification)
Direct deposit is required.
This is an exempt position, and is not subject to overtime or compensatory
provisions of the FairLabor Standards Act.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: September 28, 2015
This position is funded by a grant award, funded by revenue generated,
necessary for compliance or provides direct service delivery.
Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC
Director, Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness
Louisiana Tech University
210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 (Fax) Skype:
edwardbell2010
ebell at latech.edu