PPS strongly encourages and recommends everyone who is able, to be vaccinated and remain current on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.

This position begins in the 2024-2025 school year.

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials. With the District’s focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice. Non-Discrimination / Anti-Harassment Policy

POSITION SUMMARY:

Columbia Regional Inclusive Services is hiring a Teacher of the Vision Impaired/Orientation and Mobility Specialist to assist in meeting the education needs of students who are blind or visually impaired in an itinerant setting. The successful candidate will provide direct instruction and/or consultation for Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education through transition age students attending specialized classrooms or neighborhood schools.

Major Duties and Responsibilities as Vision Impaired Itinerant Teacher:

• Work with local educational staff in developing Individual Family Service Plans (IFSPs) or Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Understand and follow policies and procedures for special education eligibility and due process.
• Perform and write high quality functional vision, learning media and orientation and mobility assessments for students with visual impairments.
• Select, design and/or modify specialized curriculum for students with visual impairments to be used in school and home including instruction in Braille, low vision devices, and all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.
• Design and implement individual education programs based on assessment and observations and maintain current data to document and evaluate progress.
• Coordinate materials and equipment to ensure assessable instructional materials for assigned students.
• Provide assessment and instruction in all areas of the expanded core curriculum based on individual student need.
• Collaborate with general education and/or special education teachers and other school personnel to develop and implement instructional programs designed for students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Confer and collaborate with school personnel regarding travel needs related to students with visual impairments.
• Provide in-service training to school staff about the educational impact of blindness and vision loss.
• Provide community resources and information to school personnel, students and families.
• Performs other reasonable duties as assigned

Major Duties as Orientation and Mobility Specialist:

• Provides orientation and mobility assessment to determine student needs.
• Designs individual educational programs in the area of orientation and mobility for assigned students based on assessment data and monitor progress.
• Works with local educational staff to implement individual educational programs relating to orientation and mobility.
• Interprets for classroom teachers and staff the special travel and personal management needs of students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Confers with parents and professional staff members regarding travel issues.
• Provides equipment and materials as appropriate for individual student’s orientation and mobility needs.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Ability to travel within the geographic area served by Columbia Regional Inclusive Services.
• Participate in staff meetings and in-service training.
• Maintain a daily calendar and daily student contact logs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Incumbents must be properly licensed by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission for assignment as a Professional Educator.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of a nationally certified program for Orientation and Mobility instructors.
• At least three years working as a teacher of the visually impaired/orientation and mobility specialist.
• Proficient in computer use.

Special Requirements:

• Positions in this classification may require the use of a personal automobile and possession of a valid Class C Oregon driver’s license.

ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENT: Special Education: Visually Impaired

COMPENSATION: $53,147 - $103,417 (Annual salary based on 1.0 FTE)

WORK YEAR: 193 days

FTE: 1.0 (40 hours/week)

ANTICIPATED START DATE: August 2024