About this Special Education Teacher Orientation and Mobility Specialist role at Howard County Public School System
ABOUT US
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!
ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Before you begin, please read the job posting below carefully including the Application Requirements specific to this position. Be sure your application reflects experience and education required to meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications listed. Our application guide includes detailed instructions to assist you. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes.
Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.
Job Posting End Date:
Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.
The Special Education Teacher Orientation and Mobility will work under the direction of the Coordinator of Countywide Services. The Orientation and Mobility Instructor provides high-quality instruction to students with blindness or low vision to enable these students to attain systematic orientation to and safe movement within their environments in school, home, and community settings. Orientation and Mobility Instructors play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life for their students by providing and tailoring instruction needed to be a confident and independent traveler.
Applicants currently employed with another Maryland public school system are responsible for verifying eligibility for release for this non-supervisory position if selected.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet all qualifications below to be considered for the vacancy.
A combination of education and experience may be considered.
Education:
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
Preferred Education:
Master's degree in Orientation and Mobility from a regionally accredited college or university program
Certification/Licensure:
Certification/Licensure Priority will be given to applicants who:
Holds a current Maryland State Department of Education Professional certificate or license in the following areas:
Hold a current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) professional certificate or license in a MSDE licensure area with an endorsement in Blind/Visually Impairment at the time of application
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP); OR National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB)
OR
Holds a current out-of-state educator certificate and is eligible for a Maryland State Department of Education educator certificate with the appropriate endorsement in with an endorsement in Blind/Visually Impairment at the time of application .
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP); OR National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB)
Have completed all requirements to be eligible for a Professional Maryland State Department of Education certificate/license in the appropriate licensure area at the time of application.
Out-of-state applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the application process for educator licensure with the Maryland State Department of Education in addition to uploading all required materials to your HCPSS employment application.
Holds (or eligible for) a National Provider Identifier (NPI) issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) and must be actively enrolled in Maryland Medicaid. Employees not holding NPI or Maryland Medicaid enrollment upon hire must apply for NPI within 10 days of employment and Maryland Medicaid immediately upon receipt of NPI. Employees must retain active NPI and Maryland Medicaid enrollment as a condition of employment.
Experience:
Experience in orientation and mobility instruction.
ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
The list below is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.
Develop and implement lessons to teach proficient and safe travel in familiar and unfamiliar environments based on IEP and IFSP services.
Perform Orientation and Mobility assessments that focus on long- and short-term travel needs of students with visual impairments
Use Orientation and Mobility Assessments to develop IFSP/IEP goals and objectives tailored to individual student needs. Monitor and report progress to IFSP and IEP teams
The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.
ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The ideal candidate for this role will also possess a combination of the additional qualifications below. If you don’t meet every one of the preferred qualifications, we still encourage you to apply, as we welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Knowledge of the field of orientation and mobility, including eye conditions and implications, compensatory skills, including long cane travel, technology for travel aides, and access to travel within the community.
Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse populations.
Ability to act in an itinerant capacity.
Demonstrate effective oral communication and written skills.
Demonstrate ability to differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of students birth to 21.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Working Hours
8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. with a 30-minute unpaid lunch period daily.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position’s qualifications and the needs of the school system.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Compensation
This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Educators Association (HCEA) employee bargaining unit. The current salary ranges for this position are on the 10-Month Special Education Teacher salary scale. Actual placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA Master Agreement which considers education and relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime.
Telework Program
This position may be eligible to participate after the first 60 working days of employment. Telework schedules will be subject to approval and determined by the department and/or supervisor.
Retirement
Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.
Benefits
HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.
Pre-Employment Requirements
Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors.
All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.
Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.
For questions regarding this posting, please contact Cathleen Maloney at [email protected]
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email [email protected].
HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
