Orientation and Mobility Specialist - Doyle - 1.0 FTE - 26-27 SY

Student Services

Doyle Administration Building

Annual Salary

Minimum Annual Compensation: $52,154 (25-26 TE Salary Schedule)

Length of Contract: 192 days

Employment Type: Exempt

MMSD is seeking highly motivated and energetic applicants! Applicants should have a good attitude, willingness to learn, and passion for impactful work and learning.

Why You Should Work with MMSD!

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, that prepares every student to graduate from high school ready for college, career, and community. We welcome applicants who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families, and staff.

In addition, we have a great compensation package. Visit our benefits page and compensation page for more information.

Becoming a Model School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. We have a simple but bold vision — to ensure that every school is a thriving school, fostering the growth of every student so they graduate from high school ready for college, career and community.

Our strategy is captured in our strategic framework , and centers on three major goals: that all children achieve academically, that our schools are places where children and adults thrive, and that our Black youth excel at school. To achieve this vision, we seek to retain staff in all positions, who are committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive. Staff who will actively contribute to our ongoing commitment to making MMSD a thriving, welcoming environment for all students, families and staff.

We firmly believe in and are here to create a work environment that is challenging and rewarding, while supporting employees in their career path. We strive to provide, encourage, grow, and develop a talented workforce that better supports and represents the diversity of our student population. We know this vision doesn't come to life without dynamic leaders and support staff in every school.

About Our District

The Madison Metropolitan School District is the second largest school district in Wisconsin. The district serves a beautifully diverse population of more than 25,000 students. More than half are students of color. Almost half come from low income households. Nearly one third are English Language Learners, and more than 100 languages are represented in our schools. Madison schools are committed to making this district a place where every child thrives.

Purpose Of Position

Orientation & Mobility Specialists (O&M Specialist) are an integral part of a team of educators, family, and others that supports students who experience a range of vision loss. The primary role of the O&M Specialist is teaching specialized skills to students who are visually impaired, with or without other disabilities, that facilitate their access to and travel within educational and community environments.

Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Assess functional independent travel skills and abilities of students who are or are suspected of having a vision impairment, following the professional guidelines of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Provide written reports to and participate collaboratively in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or Section 504 meetings to establish eligibility, determine disability-related needs, develop IEP goals, and establish the need for special education and related services, accommodations and/or modifications.
• Provide orientation and mobility instruction and consult services as described in the IEP or 504 Plan of students assigned to caseload.
• Work as a team with regular and special educators to ensure that Supplemental Aids & Services and Program Modifications are provided to students.
• Train SEA’s and other staff to support students’ orientation & mobility needs in educational environments.
• Procure materials and equipment needed to meet individual student needs for orientation & mobility within the environments necessary for the student to access instruction.
• Progress monitor students’ development toward IEP goal attainment and, in collaboration with other team members, adjust services as needed to ensure progress toward goals.
• Support students, families and staff to effectively use Assistive Technology and adapted instructional technology. Monitor the use of and working condition of AT and troubleshoot and correct challenges.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers and other educators to optimize orientation and mobility for students with VI in the educational setting.
• Facilitate practices that promote inclusion across school environments and design instruction to develop student independence toward college and career readiness.
• Support students and families to locate outside resources that provide services to people who have vision impairments as needed across the age span of preschool through post-secondary.
• Build classroom and school culture through the reinforcement of social emotional learning skills, behavioral expectations and practice of pro-active engagement strategies with all students.
• Promote the continual improvement of the Vision Department’s capacity to serve students and families by engaging in professional activities that enhance personal professional development.
• Complete all necessary documentation and paperwork, including (but not limited to) IEP’s, Evaluation Reports, Quarterly Progress Updates and 504 Plans.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Cultural competence to work effectively with all students and families in MMSD.
• Strong equity vision for all students in MMSD.
• Excellent collaborative and engagement skills to work with teams of people that include both school staff, students and families, and outside agency personnel.
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to prioritize job duties and maximize time efficiency.
• Ability to understand and use data-based decision making.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited program for Orientation & Mobility Specialists.
• Current Department of Public Instruction (DPI) License as Orientation & Mobility Specialist. The incumbent must have a current license or obtain a license within a timeframe determined by the District.
  
  

Next Steps

• Upon submitting, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. Based on your application materials, a hiring manager may reach out to you to schedule an interview.
• Candidates who have indicated fluency in Spanish and/or Hmong are invited to apply for our bilingual positions as well. If interested in a bilingual position, candidates would be asked to complete reading, writing, and oral language proficiency assessments.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors is minimal and poses little to no risk of injury. This position requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally and may involve walking, sitting, stooping or reaching. Manual dexterity is necessary for completing general tasks while operating office equipment. This position may require being stationary for extended periods of time.

Ability to perform work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments throughout the year, including in inclement weather, spaces without air conditioning, and areas where temperatures may be uncomfortable or fluctuate rapidly.

Working Conditions

• Work may require travel to different locations within the district and to off-site meetings.
• Position may require working evenings, nights, and some weekends.
• Certain positions within the District may allow hybrid work flexibility for a portion of their work schedule, depending on the needs of the position and the work unit. This topic and any remote work flexibility that may be available will be discussed in more detail in the interview process
• School-based positions are required to be in-person unless otherwise directed by the building principal.
  
  

Disclaimer: This position description is subject to change at any time. The above job description does not limit the duties and responsibilities listed above as they are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Employees in this position may be required to perform additional job-related tasks as directed by the supervisor.

The Madison Metropolitan School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We continue to seek a diverse and talented workforce. We encourage veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.