Location:
DISTRICT WIDE POSITION TITLE: Orientation & Mobility Specialist
DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: Special Services/District
STATUS: Certified – Contract
HOURS OF WORK: 40 hours / 197-Calendar
POSITION SUMMARY: This position is responsible for providing direct support and interventions to students with blindness and visual impairments; consult with teachers, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e. school counselors, school social workers, physical and occupational therapists) to improve support strategies; work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies; and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services.
This position is part of the Special Services team and reports to assigned Coordinator.
PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborates with Individual Education Plan team members for students with blindness or visual impairments in order to provide equal access in education
• Prepares and uses equipment for the development of orientation and mobility skills
• Transports student(s) safely to various community locations as necessary for instruction in realistic learning environments
• Assist in navigating special education processes

• Provide crisis prevention and intervention services
• Monitor student progress
• Implement school-wide positive behavioral supports
• Prepare students for daily living skills and independence
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Certification in Orientation and Mobility (COMS) from the Academy for Certification of Vision, Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal, written and listening communication skills
• Assessment & progress monitoring
• High degree of motivation, responsibility and confidentiality
• Demonstrated ability in compiling, organizing, and analyzing data
• Prepare students for mobility modifications, e.g. tactual maps and low vision aids
• Academic/learning interventions
• Mental health and behavioral interventions
• Special education services and public accommodations available
• Reliable transportation as travel is a requirement
• Crisis preparedness, response and recovery
• Ability to self-initiate areas of opportunity, make recommendations for improvement, and follow up as necessary to achieve desired results

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires the performance of Medium work. The position involves exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The position requires visual acuity to perform work using a computer and other technology to support instruction. The position requires a frequent amount of grasping, talking, hearing, reaching, stooping, standing, walking, and feeling, an occasional amount of balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, pushing and/or pulling, and some climbing. Repetitive motion with a significant amount of fine finger dexterity is required in carrying out the essential duties of this position. The position is performed in a generally hazard free, indoor environment and a clean atmosphere.
IMPORTANT EMPLOYMENT STATEMENTS
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. This document describes the position currently available. The District reserves the right to modify job duties or job descriptions at any time.
The Olathe Public Schools prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity in its programs, activities or employment as required by applicable federal and state laws.
CLEARANCES REQUIRED: Criminal Justice Fingerprint, Background Clearance, TB Test