Orientation and Mobility Instructor (Assistive Technology Specialist)

State of Maine•Bangor, ME

About The Position

The Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired, is seeking an Orientation and Mobility Instructor to provide services to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired, often with additional disabilities, in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Washington Counties. The position is based at the Bangor Career Center, and frequent regional travel is necessary. The work involves instructing clients in effective orientation and safe travel, assessing impairment, consulting about available services, and helping clients travel safely and independently to support independence, communication, education, independent living, avocational interests, and employment. Work is performed under limited supervision and requires strong interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative skills.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Orientation and Mobility and two years of experience providing Orientation and Mobility instruction, or a master's degree in Orientation and Mobility.
Must hold, or be eligible to obtain within six months, certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
Knowledge of the medical and psychological/social aspects of rehabilitation of persons who are blind or visually impaired.
Knowledge of kinesiology, audition, and other senses.
Knowledge of concept and sensory development.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to manage multiple tasks.

Nice To Haves

Dual certification in Orientation and Mobility and CVRT, TVI, CRC, CATIS, or CLVT.

Responsibilities

Determine the feasibility of orientation and mobility training by evaluating available services and expected outcomes and setting reasonable goals.
Assess and instruct infants, children, and adults who are blind or visually impaired in concept development and spatial awareness, applying blind rehabilitation techniques to improve orientation and environmental interpretation.
Teach clients to travel safely and independently using their remaining senses.
Coordinate referrals and client services with community providers, blindness professionals, and other related professionals.
Provide services to potentially eligible individuals, pre-employment transition services, and transition services for youth with blindness and visual impairments, as outlined by state and federal laws and policies.
Write evaluations, reports, plans, and case notes to document client needs.

Benefits

13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and more than three weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
The State pays 85%–100% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; participation in the health insurance premium credit program can reduce employee-only premiums by 5%.
The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
The State contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
Employee assistance program through the Living Resources Program.
Forty-two consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.