Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Job Title: Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
Work Schedule/FLSA Status: 10 month, 188 days/ Exempt
Position Purpose: Provides direct orientation and mobility services and assessments for students in Omaha Public Schools.
Essential Performance Responsibilities
- Provide direct O & M instruction and assessments to students and completes written reports.
- Develop and implement goals and objectives for student IEPs.
- Monitor student IEPs to determine progress and attainment of goals and objectives.
- Prepare weekly lesson plans according to the student IEP goals and objectives.
- Document student progress and provide quarterly progress reports.
- Participate in student IEP/MDT team meetings and parent/teacher conferences.
- Coordinate with other teachers of the visually impaired, speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, school nurse, and other staff regarding the needs of the students.
- Provide in-service/training for teachers, service providers, administrators and parents regarding orientation and mobility if needed.
- Communicate on a regular basis with special education and general education staff regarding the student’s progress and needs to ensure comprehensive and consistent instructional procedures and programming.
- Communicate on a regular basis with parents regarding student progress.
- Working with and understanding a diverse student population.
- Assists with performing and properly completing daily pre-trip inspection; completes forms, records, and reports as required by federal, state and school district policy.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Coordinate with other professionals and support staff in providing best practices for students, involvement in professional development activities and network with others, and maintain confidentiality of student records.
- Possession of or ability to obtain ACVREP Certification in Orientation and Mobility.
- Completion of the Orientation and Mobility Specialist program is required.
- Must have basic skills related to leadership; problem-solving, time management, organization, and communication; public/community relations; self-motivated, self-starter, flexible and work cooperatively with others as a team player.
- Excellent attendance record.
- Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
- Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance.
- Must have knowledge of consultation process; basic technology for documentation and communication; various disabilities in addition to visual impairments; teaching and regulations of special education; and methods and techniques for assessing children with disabilities and ability to interpret assessment data.
- Knowledge of OPS’s mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them.