Orientation and Mobility Specialist

 ***THIS IS A REPOST.  PREVIOUS APPLICANTS MUST REAPPLY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY***  

Do you have or are you working on any of the following certifications? 

1. Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT)
2. Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT)
3. Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
4. Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist 
   

If so, we would love to speak to you about joining our team!  Come make a difference in the lives of adults with low vision.

Since 1935, the mission of the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) has been to enable people who are visually impaired, blind, and deafblind to reach their goals of independence and employment.

Position provides individualized orientation and mobility assessments and training for consumers who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf-blind. This position provides instruction in specialized skill areas that will enable the consumers to achieve their independent living, travel, and employment goals.

We’re seeking passionate individuals who embody the values of compassion, integrity, and teamwork. Here’s what you’ll do to make a difference:

• Assess client's needs, goals, readiness and motivation to learn orientation and mobility skills. 
• Determine client's understanding of spatial and directional concepts. 
• Provide one-on-one instruction including concepts and techniques such as sensory/concept development, pre-cane skills, sighted guide, cane techniques, route. planning/travel in a variety of situations, soliciting situations, use of public transportation, use of residual vision/low vision aids, orientation to electronic travel aids and preparation for travel. 
• Assess a consumer's need for mobility regarding previous O & M training, residual vision, the individual needs of the consumer, the physical and mental condition of the consumer, and their motivation to be independent in this area. 
• Identify locomotor, auditory, visual, or other physical problems and refer consumer to appropriate specialist resources.

To see the impact of DSB's involvement in the community, please click on the links below:

Patricia Turner https://vimeo.com/266201278

Christina Sterling https://vimeo.com/206631523

About the NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf- blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment. 

About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits.

Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position.  These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed. 
 
Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

• In-depth knowledge of the restrictive effects of visual impairments, mobility theories, techniques, and methodologies
• Demonstrated ability teaching consumers of all ages with an understanding of the unique needs of the various age ranges. 
• Knowledge of the variety of orientation and mobility devices. 
• Demonstrated skill in the use of mobility equipment.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.

Physical Requirements

• Physical requirements include some stooping, crouching, reaching standing and walking to get from place to place. 
• Sedentary work and may require lifting occasionally up to 10 pounds. 
• Subject to inside environmental conditions and may have to perform operations which include analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing and operating a computer terminal and operation of light office machines; ie, copiers and fax machines.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.   

Bachelor's degree in visual impairment field from an appropriately accredited institution and certification by the Academy for Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) as:
(1) Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT), or 
(2) Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, or 
(3) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), or 
(4) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist as needed for the area of assignment;

OR

Bachelor's degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling or social work and three years of direct service experience with individuals who are blind or visually impaired and certification as indicated above as needed for the area of assignment. 

Applicants who do not possess certification are required to obtain certification within two years from the date of employment. 

Management has the option of choosing certification requirements based on the area of assignment in order to meet the needs of the clients and the program. 

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
  
It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.  Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE:  Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application.  If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov.

To check the status of an application, please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click "Application Status". 

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442.   If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.

Salary : $39,671 - $69,426