Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Step into a meaningful career as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist with the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. This role gives you the chance to teach life-changing skills that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired navigate the world with greater independence. Each day brings new opportunities to make a strong and lasting difference. Be part of a team dedicated to empowering others!

This position provides essential rehabilitation services that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired build skills for confident and independent living. As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will perform the following duties: Assessment and Planning: Evaluate customer abilities and needs to develop individualized instructional plans Instruction Delivery: Provide one-on-one or group lessons using experience-based learning and guided practice Equipment Selection: Choose appropriate canes, travel aids, and technology to support safe independent travel Progress Monitoring: Review customer development to ensure steady improvement and successful outcomes Support and Counseling: Offer guidance to customers and families to reinforce skills and encourage independence Professional Development: Stay current on Orientation and Mobility techniques and participate in trainings to strengthen practice Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description. Work Schedule and Additional Information: Full-time employment, 7.5 hour work day Work hours are negotiable, Monday - Friday, with a 30 or 60-minute lunch depending on work hours. AWS (alternate work schedule) may be available. This position is part of the Philadelphia District Office, caseload area will cover Philadelphia County. Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Philadelphia. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview. Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

This position provides essential rehabilitation services that help individuals who are blind or visually impaired build skills for confident and independent living. As an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

Assessment and Planning: Evaluate customer abilities and needs to develop individualized instructional plans

Instruction Delivery: Provide one-on-one or group lessons using experience-based learning and guided practice

Equipment Selection: Choose appropriate canes, travel aids, and technology to support safe independent travel

Progress Monitoring: Review customer development to ensure steady improvement and successful outcomes

Support and Counseling: Offer guidance to customers and families to reinforce skills and encourage independence

Professional Development: Stay current on Orientation and Mobility techniques and participate in trainings to strengthen practice

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment, 7.5 hour work day

Work hours are negotiable, Monday - Friday, with a 30 or 60-minute lunch depending on work hours. AWS (alternate work schedule) may be available.

This position is part of the Philadelphia District Office, caseload area will cover Philadelphia County.

Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Philadelphia. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.

Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.

You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: Successful completion of the commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program; or A bachelor’s or master’s degree or certificate from an approved college or university program in orientation and mobility that includes a practicum; or Possession of an active Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP). Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree. Other Requirements: PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title. You must be able to perform essential job functions. Legal Requirements: This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance. This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding. You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations. Recruitment Methods: Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy: Reassignment ( Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment .) Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Transfer ( Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.) Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Voluntary Demotion Reinstatement ( Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement. ) How to Apply: Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date . Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

Successful completion of the commonwealth’s Orientation and Mobility Intern program; or

A bachelor’s or master’s degree or certificate from an approved college or university program in orientation and mobility that includes a practicum; or

Possession of an active Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.

You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.

You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.

Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy: Reassignment ( Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment .) Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Transfer ( Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.) Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher. Voluntary Demotion Reinstatement ( Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement. )

Reassignment ( Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment .) Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.

Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.

Transfer ( Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.) Meritorious service is defined as the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.

Voluntary Demotion

Reinstatement ( Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement. )

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date . Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

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If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

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If you are claiming certification, you must attach a copy of your certification for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. You must attach your certification prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add your certification to the application after it has been submitted.

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