Orientation and Mobility Instructor - Career Opportunities
OVR’s Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services (BBVS) provides services to assist Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired to work and maintain independent lives. Orientation and Mobility Instructors help people who are blind or visually impaired to develop the skills necessary for independent and safe travel within their homes, workplaces, and communities. The use of the sighted guide technique, the long cane, and electronic travel aides are some of the system techniques by which blind or visually impaired people orient themselves to their surroundings and move about safely and efficiently.
Career Opportunities Available Statewide
OVR continually accepts applications for
Orientation and Mobility Instructor (job code 44920). All positions are within the Department of Labor and Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. OVR’s Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS) has
6 District Office locations that provide a wide range of services for persons with visual disabilities throughout Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania residency requirement is waived and no written is test required. You will be rated on your experience and training. Your score will be based on what you report on your application and supplement. All positions are filled through the State Civil Service Commission.
All positions in this job title come under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. If you are a final candidate for one of these positions, you will have to provide reports on your background from such sources as the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. If you are a final candidate and not a Pennsylvania resident, you must also obtain a report of Federal Criminal History Record Information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If your background is unacceptable, you will be disqualified for employment in such positions. You will receive information about these requirements and how to obtain the required reports at the time you are being considered for employment.
Minimum Requirements
Successful completion of an approved orientation and mobility program is required and it should include study in areas such as the history of orientation and mobility, the psychological effects of blindness, identification of common eye diseases, sensory devices and travel techniques and a practicum in orientation and mobility.
You must submit documentation from the agency which provided your training in an orientation and mobility program OR a transcript from you college or university OR a list of completed coursework.
Salary and Benefits - Starting Salary Statewide is $43,932/year
OVR offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefit package. Commonwealth benefits available to new employees include liberal retirement/pension plan; paid vacation, personal and sick leave; paid holidays; prescription, vision and dental plan coverage (after six months); paid group life insurance, and much more.
APPLICATIONS FOR ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY INSTRUCTOR POSITIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Application Process
Online and paper applications both require submission of documentation from the agency which provided your training in an orientation and mobility program; OR a transcript from your college or university; OR a list of completed coursework. Print your name and social security number at the top of the documentation, course listing or transcripts and mail to the address above.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Inquiries
If you have any questions, please contact LaKeysha McLaurin, OVR's Recruitment Specialist at: (717) 787-2521 voice, (717) 783-4885 TTY or via e-mail at
lmclaurin@pa.gov.
