Title: Orientation and Mobility Specialist SDBF0002

State Role Title: Trainer and Instructor II

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 4

Agency: VA School for the Deaf & Blind

Location: VA School for Deaf & Blind

Agency Website: www.vsdb.k12.va.us

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is seeking an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to provide a quality instructional program in assigned area for children with sensory impairment and other disabilities including deaf blindness.

The Orientation and Mobility Specialist will assist in the provision of essential services for children with visual impairment/blindness by providing quality day and residential instructional programs to children referred by local school divisions and by serving as a resource for children with similar disabilities educated throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) is located in the historic, vibrant city of Staunton, Virginia. VSDB provides superior education for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/vision impaired, deafblind, and deaf or blind with other disabilities.
VSDB offers PreK-12 education with both residential and day student options.

VSDB believes that disabilities are challenges not barriers and supports each student in their goal to be independent and to reach their highest academic potential!

VSDB prepares students for life!

The VSDB offers:
• Great comprehensive benefit package
• Supportive and positive team setting
• School-Residential partnership that supports a 24/7 learning environment

This is a 10 month position with state benefits, including health insurance, retirement, life insurance, and disability coverage.
The beginning date for this position is the beginning of our next school year in July 2026.

Minimum Qualifications

A minimum of a Baccalaureate Degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred.

Must possess education and/or training in Orientation and Mobility

Must hold or be eligible for valid Orientation and Mobility certification - ACVREP Certified Orientation andMobility Specialist (COMS) or National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC)

Current CPR and First Aid certification required or must obtain per school policies

Hold a valid Driver’s License or ability to obtain following DMV guidelines

Proficiency level of “Survival” in American Sign Language as measured by the SignLanguage Proficiency Interview or agreement to acquire the specified level within three years

Low Vision certification is preferred

Valid Virginia teaching license issued by the Board of Education with an endorsement in visual impairment is preferred

Ability to read and teach Braille is preferred

Experience completing Functional Vision Assessments is preferred

Experience teaching children with visual impairment and using behavior management techniques is
preferred

Additional Considerations

Ability to design appropriate instruction and teach orientation and mobility skills to children with vision impairment, blindness, deaf-blindness and other disabilities -

Knowledge of child growth and development, and special needs of children with disabilities

Knowledge and experience developing and following student Individualized Education Plan is preferred

Ability to plan and organize work

Ability to work using a team approach

Ability to follow school policies and procedures

Ability to develop effective instructional strategies and methods and the ability to differentiate instruction to meet diverse student needs

Knowledge of assistive technology to enhance communication and learning for students with visual impairments

Skills and ability to assess students to identify proper use of both visual and non-visual techniques related to Orientation and Mobility.

Knowledge of the functional implications of visual impairments

Physical Requirements: Ability to perform repetitive motion to include standing, sitting, reaching, lifting, walking, bending and climbing

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

For full consideration, please submit college transcripts with application materials.
If selected as a finalist with VSDB, candidates can expect the following:

Background Investigation Requirements: All applicants are subject to a background investigation. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check; verification of education (relevant to employment); and other checks based on the position.

Application Requirements: Application and/or résumé for this position are only accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System. All applications should be submitted by 11:55pm on the closing date for the position. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from the electronic application and/or résumé.

Layoff Preferences: Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of VA employees only) MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé.

VSDB is an EEO employer and is committed to supporting workforce diversity, equitable opportunities and inclusivity. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

VSDB values our Veterans and encourages all to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other nation service alumni are also encouraged to apply.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer

Contact Information

Name: Jody Beelendorf

Phone: 540-332-9069

Email: jody.beelendorf@vsdbs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.