ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SPECIALIST

THE POSITION

Do you have experience working with individuals who are blind, have low vision, or who have functional visual limitations? Do you have a passion to empower individuals to achieve their life goals for education, employment, avocation, and independence? The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is seeking an Orientation and Mobility Specialist to assist Pennsylvanians with disabilities gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities. Come join our department and gain the satisfaction of public service while enjoying professional career growth

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position will give you the freedom to use your understanding of orientation and mobility therapy, while applying that knowledge to assist blind and visually impaired customers. As the Orientation and Mobility Specialist, you will have the opportunity to promote optimal personal and social adjustment to blindness. This will lead to self-sufficiency and independent living, while contributing to the customer's rehabilitation process through instruction and consultation. You will be responsible for assessing customers referred for Orientation and Mobility by collecting and reviewing reports and information. This may include conferring with staff, interviewing customers, and observing current level of function. Information received from assessments will aide in developing an individualized plan of instruction and/or making referrals for appropriate services. The individualized service plan will include a schedule of instructions based on objectives or recommendations and in coordination with the Vocational Rehabilitation, Independent Living, and Social Services plan.

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

* Full-time employment
* Work hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with 30-minute lunch.
* Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the required probationary 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 Altoona.
* Salary: Most employees will start at the beginning level of the advertised salary.
* You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

* Successful completion of the commonwealth's Orientation and Mobility Intern program; or
* Possession of an active Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP); 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.
* 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.

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 will eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

* Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

* Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
* Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
* Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
* You must provide complete and accurate information or:
* your score may be lower than deserved.
* you may be disqualified.

You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email.#CWOPA

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little extras that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

* Eligibility rules apply.

01

You must complete the supplemental question(s) below. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental question(s). Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental question(s) is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty.

Read the question(s) carefully. Determine and select the option that most closely represents your highest level of experience/training/certification. The option you choose must be clearly supported if requested.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the Yes button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.

* Yes

02

Have you successfully completed the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Orientation and Mobility Intern program?

* Yes
* No

03

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

04

Have you completed a conferred bachelor's degree or higher or certificate from an approved college or university program in orientation and mobility that includes a practicum?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer yes to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.

* Yes
* No

05

If you answered NO to the above question, are you currently within three months of graduating with a bachelor's degree or higher or a certificate in an orientation and mobility program? If YES, you must submit a copy of your most recent transcript as well as your expected graduation date. If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the Attachments tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer yes to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visit https://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3 and click on Other Information.

You would be expected to provide proof of graduation at the time of employment.

* Yes
* No

06

Please indicate expected graduation date below. If you answered no, type N/A in the box below.

07

Do you possess an active Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)?

* Yes
* No

08

If you answered YES to the above question, please provide your certificate number and expiration date in the text box below. Upload a copy of the certificate using the Attachment tab. If you answered NO, please type N/A if the text box below.

Required Question

Agency Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address 613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website http://www.employment.pa.gov

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