P. O. Box 698 * Talladega, Alabama 35161
R- 3870 Reference #116329452
Posting Date: June July 19, 2018
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 Specialist ? 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 $46.90 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:
$36,820 - $55,844 Scale MR Rank 5B Bachelor?s Degree
$38,565 - $58,449 Scale MR Rank 5M Master?s Degree
Pay increase of 2.5% effective 10/1/18
(260 Days)
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: August 2, 2018
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
600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall
PO Box 3158
Ruston LA 71272
Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259