Orientation and Mobility Supervisor

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 Orientation & Mobility Supervisor based out of our training building in Sands Point, NY. Performs supervisory responsibilities as delegated by the Director of Direct Services, using a variety/continuum of approaches based on individual and situational needs as follows: collaboration, mentoring, coaching, facilitation, direct supervision. Fosters transdisciplinary training among all core vocational rehabilitation disciplines leading to achievement of successful outcomes for participants.  Provides assessment and training to participants in orientation and mobility.  

Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises and evaluates work performance of COP team members.  Maintains the scheduling for each of the COP staff. Identifies individual staff development goals and provides input into agency-wide growth and training opportunities. Guides COP members with development and timely submission of comprehensive assessment and training reports. Actively organizes and participates in the Community of Practice (COP) to support discussion and learning of staff, contribute articles, experiences and challenges. Provides oversight of the equipment and training resources, as well as general appearance and maintenance of each of the COP work areas.  
• Provides evaluation and training to participants in the discipline of Orientation and Mobility.
• Maintains O&M travel advisories and waivers for all participants and ensures they are up to date. 
• Works with team members (participants and staff) to develop and implement TD learning experiences leading to the achievement of participant outcomes of increased independence, employment, empowerment and self-advocacy. Participates in program and team meetings to ensure comprehensive and individualized evaluation and training services, provides input to staff and participant schedules based on participant and team recommendations ensuring quality and participant satisfaction.  
• Provides in-service training information to staff members and others including family members and professionals regarding human guide techniques. 
• Plays a significant role in supporting the agency’s goal to grow as a learning organization and also in supporting and engaging staff to achieve the goals of the HKNC Strategic Plan.
• Contributes to the annual report for the training areas reflecting rehabilitation services provided within a given fiscal year.  Identifies appropriate trans-disciplinary outcomes and team goals.
• Handles correspondence or inquiries from the field regarding information on blind rehabilitation techniques and methods for DeafBlind individuals respective of expert knowledge and discipline. 
• Facilitates the O&M seminar.  
• Approves and orders appropriate materials and equipment.
• Documents best practices and disseminates information to the field through publication and participation in national organizations and conferences.
• Coordinates and supervises O&M interns (bachelor and graduate levels).
• Co-coordinates the M-Power program.     

Human Guide Support

Accompanies, serves as guide, and supports communication access for participants and staff when necessary, in a variety of situations and settings. To accomplish this the individual may be required to use a personal vehicle on occasion.

Communication Support

Provides communication support, which includes providing environmental information, may consist of voice over, sign language (visual/tactual), text/typing, or facilitating the use of augmentative systems (communication cards, devices). HKNC will provide interpreting support for formal meetings such as Employment Planning Meetings, Team Meetings, Full Staff Meetings and seminars.       

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Direct reports include staff in the following departments: 

• HKNC Orientation and Mobility 
• Low Vision 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

• Master’s degree in blind rehabilitation with a certification in Orientation & Mobility from ACVREP. 
• Minimum of three (3) year experience working with individuals who have low vision leading up to total blindness and/or have a combined hearing and vision loss within the blind rehabilitation field in O&M.  
• At least two (2) years of supervisory experience required.
• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) preferred. 
• Knowledge of braille and other methods of communication used by individuals who are DeafBlind required or must be developed within one year. Knowledge of deaf and DeafBlind culture preferred.
• Knowledge of MS Office including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook required. Strong report writing skills required. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS 

• ACVREP certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)

 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: 

• Medical, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance 
• 4 weeks vacation
• 12 paid sick days 
• 2 paid personal days 
• Paid Holidays Off 
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability
• 403b Program w/Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career Advancement opportunities

HKS is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodations to individuals with illness, injury, or disability to complete the essential functions of their job.