Orientation & Mobility Specialist (Vision Rehabilitation Specialist)

Orientation & Mobility Specialist/Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Senior (In-Training)

Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | HYBRID

To view the job description and to apply. please visit Orientation & Mobility Specialist/Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Senior (In-Training)

**Contact Information:
Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Aggie Swanson at (360) 407-7918 or email jobs@des.wa.gov. 

NOTE: This recruitment will be used to fill two (2) vacancies in two (2) different locations: Yakima County and Clark County. This position can be located within a three-hour commute and alternative duty station. The ability to travel is required for this role. Additionally, the Hiring Team may make a hiring decision at any time. It is in your best interest to apply at your earliest convenience. The DSB supports a hybrid remote work and flexible schedule opportunities.

DSB Relocation Allotment: DSB offers, upon approval, a relocation bonus and allotment for those staff relocating and needing to make the move to, or across the beautiful state of Washington to join our team.

Who we are:
The goal of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is to assist in the stable employment and increased independence of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision customers. DSB provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who have a visual disability to pursue employment, education, and independent living. Our mission is “Working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and work places."

What you will be doing:

As an Orientation & Mobility Specialist/Vision Rehabilitation Specialist – Senior, in this training position, you will have the opportunity to develop your expertise while working in a supportive and dynamic environment. This is an itinerant position, providing instruction to adults and youth.

Through on-the-job training, you will gain proficiency in Vision Rehabilitation and Low Vision Therapy (ADL’s and Low Vision Evaluations) using the latest technologies and training methods to support customers.

You’ll analyze and evaluate the adaptive skills of individuals with Blindness, Deaf-Blindness, and Low Vision, focusing on enhancing their Orientation & Mobility, daily living activities, and employment readiness.

In this role, you will contribute to curriculum development, implement effective training strategies, and ensure compliance with Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You’ll also help recruit, assess, and manage vendors who provide specialized adaptive rehabilitation training, oversee the organization of Low Vision and Adaptive tools inventory, and provide educational support to customers, businesses, community partners, and employers. This position offers an excellent opportunity to grow in a collaborative and engaging work environment while developing critical skills to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with visual impairments.

Some of what you’ll enjoy doing includes:
 

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of customers' vocational rehabilitation needs, including disability, family support, education/work history, and adaptive skills.
• Collaborate with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to address issues and recommend solutions, therapies, and tools for low vision needs.
• Provide information and referrals to community resources and facilitate informed choice in service selection.
• Develop individualized training plans, coordinate assessment results with the team, and communicate training objectives and expectations to customers.
• Arrange training, monitor progress, and adjust plans as needed, testing and measuring customer competencies.
• Serve as a regional and statewide resource, educating community partners and employers on adaptive tools and techniques.
• Offer consultation, presentations, and technical assistance to community service providers for the application and use of adaptive tools and training.
• Once fully trained by DSB this position may lead onboarding, training, and development of lower-level vision rehabilitation staff, ensuring competency across skill sets.
• Manage ongoing training requests and employee retention training, coordinating with Regional Area Managers.
• Lead statewide process review and improvement efforts, while independently performing comprehensive low vision evaluations and coordinating recommendations to vocational rehabilitation customers and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This position may be filled at the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey, or Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior level, depending on qualifications. Advancement to the next level will be based upon the successful completion of an established In-Training Plan. Low Vision Evaluation and professional development of these skills are provided by DSB as the successful candidate progresses in their position.

What is an in-training plan? The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program, the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable.

Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry level position, a candidate must possess the following:
 

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology;
• NOTE: Two (2) years of experience in social services or providing services to individuals who are blind, low vision or deaf blind will substitute for two (2) years of the required education.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey level position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following qualification combination options:

[OPTION 1]:
 

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.

[OPTION 2]:
 

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology; AND
• Two (2) years of paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skill of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior level position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following qualification combination options:

[OPTION 1]:
 

• A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

[OPTION 2]:
 

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology; AND
• Three (3) years of paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals, including one year of supervisory or lead experience.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

 The salary ranges for each level of the position is as follows:
 

• Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry: ($3,728 - $4,987 per month)
• Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey: ($4,299 - $5,783 per month)
• Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior: ($5,117 - $6,876 per month)

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
 

• Effective in conducting superior work with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
• Demonstrates superior documentation and qualify of work.

Supplemental Information

Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting;
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application.  Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice:  Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Union Inclusion:
This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Opportunity for All:
The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.