Job Title: Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)

Location: TAC Building

Reports To: Director of Special Education

Work Schedule/FLSA Status:   10 month, 188 days/ Exempt

Salary Schedule: based on degree and experience

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.

Additional Duties
Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisor and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:  This position may require the ability to use assistive technology in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines.  Must always comply with OPS’s guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Travel will be required between schools and teacher administrative center.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Must be able to respond rapidly in emergency situations.
• Must have organization, time management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Work in an office environment and school buildings.

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors.
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks.
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues.
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Omaha Public Schools and is appropriate for their position.

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.

Terms of Employment

This position is treated as a classified full-time exempt position. The terms of your employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Nebraska public school and Board of Education policies, as those laws and policies may change from time to time. If your position is represented by a collective bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between OPS and that collective bargaining representative.

The offer of employment is contingent upon:

• Obtaining and providing verification of all licenses, certificates, and other requirements for the position (e.g., Paraprofessionals obtaining “Highly Qualified status,” etc.), as identified.
• A background check which demonstrates to OPS that background is acceptable for the position.
• Verification of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment drug test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a tuberculosis skin test (if required for position offered).
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination to determine ability to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

Omaha public schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, disability, age, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or economic status in its programs, activities, employment, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following individual has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director for the Office of Equity and Diversity, 3215 Cuming Street, Omaha, NE 68131. (531-299-0307)   

The Omaha Public School District is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process please contact the human resources department at 531-299-0240.