Orientation and Mobility Instructor

State of Illinois • Belleville, IL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice. The mission of the Division is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals of employment, education, and independent living. This position instructs individuals who are Blind, Visually Impaired or DeafBlind in orientation and mobility skills in the Bureau of Customer and Community Blind Services. This position teaches principles of long cane technique and related elements and assists customers in the development of sensory skills to travel safely in familiar and unfamiliar surroundings and function independently in travel. Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity, equity, accessibility, and racial justice by contributing to an including working and learning environment. The Division of Rehabilitation Services is seeking to hire a self-motivated and detail-oriented individual with good communication skills.

Requirements

• Requires a master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility from an accredited college or university.
• Requires certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS).
• Requires one-year (1) professional experience in orientation and mobility such as could be gained from completion of an agency-sponsored training program.
• Requires ability to travel to provide services in the customer’s home, residential setting, or group setting as well as in the built environment.
• Requires ability to physically access the customer’s home environment and/or work environment and use public transportation.
• Requires ability to visually assess the travel route for the safety of the customer.

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years of professional experience assessing individuals needs and preparing a plan of services providing instruction in orientation and mobility skills to individuals who are visually impaired, blind, or DeafBlind to live independently and/or gain competitive employment.
• Two (2) years of professional experience working with federal statutes related to rehabilitation programs such as the Rehabilitation Act and amendments, the Social Security Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Workforce Innovative Opportunities Act (WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.
• Two (2) years of professional experience utilizing, reading and writing braille.
• Two (2) years of professional experience researching and remaining up to date on trends in orientation and mobility including accessibility, teaching techniques and adaptive technology.
• Two (2) years of professional experience establishing trusting relationships and communicating clearly and effectively with customers, family members, coworkers, providers, and employers.
• Two (2) years of professional experience researching and adopting an effective course of action as it relates to services, barriers and concerns for individuals who are visually impaired, blind, or DeafBlind to reach their potential.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Orientation and Mobility Instructor providing orientation and mobility instruction in an assigned geographical area in the Bureau of Customer and Community Blind Services.
• Manages caseload of customers who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or DeafBlind.
• Establishes and nurtures effective working relationships with customers.
• Participates in staff meetings and assists with training for trainee staff.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Benefits

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level