Orientation & Mobility Specialist- Summer Transition Programs, $1,000 Hiring Bonus!

Job Overview:
The Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) is seeking a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist to support our Teen-to-Work and College Prep residential programs, which serve high school students (ages 14-21) with visual impairments. These 5-week long programs, located on a college campus, are designed to prepare students for employment, higher education, and greater independence while being away from home. The two programs run at the same time with different objectives and goals, and there will be 1 Certified O&M Instructor hired for Teen To Work, and 1 Certified O&M Instructor hired for College Prep.

As an O&M Instructor, you will plan, implement, and deliver orientation and mobility instruction tailored to the students' needs, focusing on skills for navigating the campus, job placements, and field trips. You will work with students individually and in groups, assessing their current skills, providing instruction on safe and effective travel, and collaborating with other instructors to ensure a comprehensive approach to independence. Additionally, this role involves training an O&M intern seeking certification through ACVREP. Together with the intern, you will provide support to students with vision impairments with their travel routes and ensuring that safety guidelines are followed during lessons and activities. You will have the chance to work alongside other instructors in the areas of Activities of Daily Living, Assistive Technology, Career Readiness, Orientation & Adjustment to Disability, and College Readiness helping students become independent, confident, and prepared for their futures.

In the Teen to Work program, students gain real-world experience by preparing resumes, participating in job interviews, and potentially interning or job shadowing in fields of interest. This program offers students their first opportunity to live independently, handling tasks like meal preparation, laundry, budgeting, and transportation. The College Prep program similarly focuses on helping students prepare for independence including understanding college life, navigating administrative tasks like FAFSA, academic advising, and time management, with a focus on self-advocacy.

Both programs also include a variety of social and recreational activities, such as bowling, ropes courses, indoor skydiving, escape rooms, ice skating, movie theaters, swimming, fitness classes, and more, providing students with opportunities to engage, have fun, and build confidence. This position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on students' futures, guiding them as they transition into the workforce and post-secondary education with the support of assistive technology.

Key Responsibilities:

• Instructional Planning & Delivery: Plan and implement orientation and mobility lessons for students in the summer transition program, appropriate to their age, ability, and program goals. Areas of teaching include: O&M conceptual knowledge, indoor travel, outdoor travel, public transportation, route planning, street crossings, address navigation, and traveling in unfamiliar areas.
• Skills Assessment: Evaluate student referrals to determine their current level of O&M skills, identifying areas for improvement and making recommendations for the most appropriate O&M services.
• Scheduling & Lesson Coordination: Schedule O&M lessons, including training students on routes to job placements, navigating the college campus, intersection analysis/street crossings, public transportation, and participating in field trips.
• Safety Compliance: Ensure that safety guidelines are followed by both program staff and students during O&M lessons, job placements, and field trips.
• Mentorship for Certified Interns: As a 3-year Certified O&M Specialist, provide mentorship and oversight for FBC O&M interns to support their development and growth.

• Student Progress Tracking: Maintain detailed daily notes on student lessons and provide monthly reports to ensure student progress is documented accurately. Participate in a weekly progress meeting for all students to assess and adjust instructional methods.

• Collaborative Teaching: Work with other instructors in other instructional areas such as: Job Readiness (JR), Assistive Technology (AT), Education Support Services (ESS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Orientation and Adjustment to Disability (OAD). Foster a collaborative environment with instructors to ensure consistency in instruction, reinforce key skills, and ensure students meet their learning objectives across various subjects. to enhance students' learning experiences.

• Support Field Trips & Outings: Opportunity to participate in supporting week day field trips and some weekend activities to provide students with real-world experiences, further reinforcing their learning.

Additional Information:

• Out of State Applicants:
  • Living Arrangements: Housing is provided on campus at no cost, with some meals included. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage with students in a residential setting and create lasting educational experiences.
  • Travel Reimbursement: Round-trip travel expenses to Arizona will be reimbursed up to $500.
• Work Schedule: The program runs from June 3rd, 2026 – July 11th, 2026. The schedule will include 35 hours per week. The schedule is intended to offer 4-5 days of teaching per week with additional hours available to select for extra week day support, or evening and weekend activities. Paid Training will be provided on June 3rd, 2026 as well as virtually 1:1 as needed, prior to the program start date. Individual staff working schedules will be provided by May 1, 2026, but please keep flexibility in mind week by week for scheduling changes the week prior.
• Bonus: This position is considered hard to fill, and meets the requirements to receive a $1,000 bonus payable on the last paycheck.  

• Experience: Prior experience working with students with visual impairments is preferred. Strong proficiency in assistive technology tools, software, and programs specifically designed for individuals with vision impairments.
• Educational Background:
  • Certified in the provision of Orientation & Mobility services by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (3 years Certified is preferred).
• Communication: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for working with students, families, and colleagues in a respectful way.
• Skills: Strong ability to manage time, develop lesson plans, collaborate effectively with others, and track student progress.
• Flexibility: Willingness to adapt to a changing schedule, including participation in field trips, weekend activities, and additional program support as needed.

Salary : $30 - $45