What are the responsibilities and job description for the Orientation and Mobility Instructor position at Helen Keller Services?
Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have an exciting full time career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a Mobility Instructor. This position is responsible for assessing consumers travel skills in various environments to help determine with the consumer their instructional needs/preferences pertaining to their unique home environments.
Hours: Monday-Friday FT 35 Hours per week. 8:00am-3:45pm
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
- Provide instruction in safe and efficient travel skills; specifically, indoor techniques including human guide, self-protection, and cane skills on campus to consumers. Lessons are given both day and evenings
- Evaluate progress of students and submits scheduled written reports (assessment, training and transition).
- Participate in weekly team meetings, community of practice (COP) meetings with O&M colleagues, student employment planning meetings, and full staff meetings.
- Keep abreast of and evaluate current O&M research, teaching methods and aids. If appropriate, recommend and implement these methods or aids into student programs and services.
- Share responsibility for the equipment and general appearance of the work area.
- Suggest need for appropriate material and equipment.
- When assigned provide in-service training for staff members and others regarding orientation and mobility training for DeafBlind individuals.
- Accompany and provide human guide and/or communication support for consumers and professional staff members when assigned. To accomplish this, it may be required to use personal vehicle on occasion.
REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in Blind Rehabilitation with an emphasis in Orientation and Mobility required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
An O&M Instructor must be able to perform the following physical demands of this position:
- Provide human guide assistance via elbow, forearm and/or shoulder to consumers and/or staff.
- Push wheelchairs on all surfaces (flat, up and down) and maintain control of the chair.
- Provide tactual ASL to consumers who require it during instruction and when needed.
- Remain mobile via foot for up to 1.5 hours during instruction and longer as needed.
- Be able to ambulate on all types of surfaces (flat, incline, decline, moving (escalators/elevators), and stairs).
- Be able to drive all HKNC vehicles to/from all destinations required for instruction and transportation runs (airport, community and medical).
- Be able to secure passengers within HKNC vehicles if/when needed especially wheelchair travelers within the accessible van.
At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. we offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:
- Paid vacation time, Paid Sick Time, Personal Days
- Fully Paid Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance*
- Paid Holidays
- Short Term Disability/ Life Insurance
- Voluntary Ancillary Benefits
- 403b Program with Employer Match
- Tuition Assistance
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- Relocation Reimbursement $1,500
*No-frills positions are those that receive an additional 10% premium on the hourly rate of pay, but do not participate in the Union Health Insurance Plan. Individuals seeking a No-frills position must show they have alternative insurance to be eligible.
