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Job Title: Orientation & Mobility Instructor
Classification: Non-Exempt/Full-Time
Reports to: Core Skills Program Manager
General Description: The essential function of the job is to teach students how to travel safely, efficiently, and independently in their homes, workplaces, community, and beyond using non-visual techniques and tools.
Duties:
Instruction:
1. Instruct students in the proper use of the long, white cane and other mobility tools to travel safely, efficiently, and independently.
2. Train students in the use of non-visual techniques, strategies, and tools for orientation and mobility.
3. Using the Structure Discovery Method, Provide real world opportunities to learn, practice, and reinforce non-visual skills and techniques for safe, efficient, and independent travel.
4. Instruct students in how to safely, locate, detect, and negotiate stairways, including ascending/descending, fall prevention/recovery, and pre-checking for hazards.
5. Conduct training in non-visual techniques for safely crossing both controlled and uncontrolled intersections including strategies for negotiating high traffic roadways .
6. Teach students how to safely and effectively utilize public transportation, including: route and trip planning; locating transit stops and transportation hubs; and boarding/exiting busses, trains, airplanes, and other vehicles.
7. Instruct students in how to safely and effectively negotiate escalators, elevators, revolving doors, and other challenges encountered when traveling.
8. Teach students how to locate, use, and navigate safely and efficiently busy public facilities such as shopping malls, stadiums, airports, hospitals, college campuses, etc.
9. Create tactile and auditory maps and instruct students in their proper use.
10. Evaluate students' functional, physical and mental capabilities, as related to orientation and mobility.
11. Determine individual students' need for physical conditioning and make recommendations for any needed special adaptations.
12. Stay current in best practices for teaching O&M.
Documentation
1. Maintain accurate, thorough, complete, and timely ongoing weekly and monthly record keeping of client services; including lesson notes, progress reports, and assessment reports.
2. Documents immediately and thoroughly any student falls or other accidents that occur during training.
Team Building and Networking
1. Report student issues to supervisor and contribute to ongoing problem solving of such issues while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
2. Consult with other professionals, family members or other appropriate parties regarding student progress.
3. Participate in individual case conferences and confer regularly with program staff concerning client's progress and adjustment to blindness issues.
4. Maintain positive and professional relations with counselors of Department of Rehabilitation and other agencies as well as Society students, staff, and volunteers.
Other Duties:
1. Attend all staff and department meetings.
2. Adhere to all Society policies and procedures.
3. Obtain continuing education to maintain and update knowledge and skills.
4. Perform other duties as required
Qualifications:
1. A minimum of two years' work experience.
2. Bachelor's degree or higher in education, blindness rehabilitation , or related field.
3. NOMC or COMS certification in O&M instruction.
4. Ability to stand and walk for at least seven hours per day.
5. Sufficient stamina to walk distances of up to two miles at a time.
6. Ability to safely descend stairs backward and ahead of students to provide any necessary support and to help prevent falls.
7. Sufficient strength to support the weight of adult students in case of tripping or falling.
8. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
9. Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, & web browsers.
To Apply:
Interested candidates should send cover letters and resumes to Shane Snyder, Director of Programs at ssnyder at societyfortheblind.org