Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired an

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title:

Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (CTVI) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)

Reports To:

Director of Programs & Services

Department/Location:

NewView Oklahoma Center for Low Vision and Blindness

Status:

Regular/Full-time, Exempt

NewView's Mission: We empower individuals who are blind or have low vision, maximizing their opportunities for independence through all stages of life.

NewView Values:

• Commitment to Empower
• Driven by Excellence
• Compassion is Key
• Leaders who Inspire

Position Summary: The Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) / Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialist provides instruction and support to youth and adults with visual impairments to promote independence, safety, and confidence in both educational and community environments. This position is responsible for delivering individualized instruction in compensatory skills, assistive technology, and travel techniques while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure each individual's educational, vocational, and daily living goals are met.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

1. Conduct comprehensive assessments to determine the individual's functional vision and mobility needs.
2. Provide direct instruction in: Orientation and Mobility skills (indoor, school, residential, business, and complex street environments); adaptive techniques for independent travel, route planning, and community access; and compensatory and communication skills including Braille, large print, tactile symbols, and assistive technology.
3. Design and implement individualized lesson plans with measurable goals and outcomes.
4. Evaluate progress, adjust instruction, and document performance data regularly.
5. Collaborate with other vision professionals, educators, rehabilitation specialists, and families.
6. Participate in team meetings, IEPs, and adult rehabilitation conferences.
7. Consult with general education staff or vocational trainers to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
8. Complete assessments, progress notes, and reports according to program or agency timelines.
9. Maintain accurate and confidential records.
10. Track service hours, mileage, and client outcomes using approved documentation systems
11. Educate clients and families on blindness skills, safety, and community resources.
12. Promote self-advocacy, independence, and confidence.
13. Provide information and referrals for additional vision services when appropriate
14. Stay current on best practices, adaptive technology, and instructional methods.
15. Participate in professional training, conferences, and continuing education to maintain certification(s).
16. Performs additional duties as assigned by the Director of Programs.
17. Must wear all the protective equipment required by the department.
18. Must follow all company policies and procedures including departmental safety policies.

Qualifications (Minimum education, experience, training, licensure, certification):

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Orientation & Mobility, or Special Education (with emphasis in visual impairment)
• Current certification as both of the following: Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS - ACVREP) and Certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI - Oklahoma State Department of Education licensure).
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between service sites.
• Strong communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team.
• Must have working knowledge of all aids and appliances commonly used in general mobility
• Must possess knowledge of electronic travel aids (ETA'S).

Preferred:

• Preference will be given to candidates with a minimum of 2 years' experience in Orientation and Mobility and Teacher of the Visually Impaired.
• Familiarity with adaptive technology (e.g., screen readers, magnifiers, GPS mobility apps).
• Basic computer database and word processing knowledge and experience.

Physical Requirements:

TASK

OCCASSIONALLY

1-33 %

FREQUENTLY

34-66 %

CONSTANTLY

67-100%

N/A

Standing

x

Walking

x

Sitting

x

Reclining

X

Change Positions

x

Reaching (extending arms and hands)

x

Reaching across machines

X

Handling (Grasp/Hold/Seize and Turn)

x

Finger (Pinch/Pick)

x

Feeling (Perceive Attributes of Object)

x

Crouching or Squatting

X

Crawling

X

Balancing

x

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Jumping

X

Climb Stairs or Steps

x

Scaffolding

x

In/Out of Machine

X

Ladder

X

TASK

OCCASSIONALLY

1-33 %

FREQUENTLY

34-66 %

CONSTANTLY

67-100%

N/A

Machine Control Operations

Arm/Hand

x

Leg/Foot

x

Firm Grasp (Use Pressure and Force)

x

Fine Manipulation

x

Weight Position Will Be Lifting

OCCASSIONALLY

1-33 %

FREQUENTLY

34-66 %

CONSTANTLY

67-100%

N/A

Lifting/Lowering with hoist

x

Lifting/Lowering without hoist

x

Pushing/Pulling (Force)

x

Carrying

x

Exposure to Environmental Hazards

OCCASSIONALLY

1-33 %

FREQUENTLY

34-66 %

CONSTANTLY

67-100%

N/A

Paint fumes

x

Chemical fumes

x

Contact with skin/eyes

x

Chock dust

x

Climate extremes (hot in summer and cold in winter.)

x

Physical requirements of the job:

Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force

frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Please note: Under the AbilityOne Program, NewView Oklahoma gives hiring preference to individuals who are legally blind. Any decision to disclose a disability by an applicant related to the hiring preference is completely voluntary. Requesting such information is also a part of our affirmative action efforts. The information that is disclosed will remain confidential. Also, your decision not to disclose disability status will not have a negative impact in the hiring process. NewView Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, the use of a dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.