What are the responsibilities and job description for the Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist position at MAPLE CREEK ED CTR?
Title:
Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) for Students with Visual Impairments
Reports To:
Supervisor of Special Education
Location of Work:
Mulitple Locations
Base Location: Maple Creek Education Center
30 South Walnut Street
Bangor, MI 49013
Start Date: August 18, 2025
Job Goals:
The primary goal of the Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) is to provide individualized instruction to teach students with visual impairments the skills necessary to help them travel safely, confidently, and independently across school, home, and community environments.
Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree Required; Master’s Degree Preferred in Orientation and Mobility or a related field (e.g., Special Education, Rehabilitation, or Vision Sciences).
Certification:
Certification as a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
Work Experience:
Experience working with individuals with visual impairments, particularly in an educational context, is highly valued.
Skills:
- Strong understanding of visual impairments and their impact on mobility and learning
- Proficiency in teaching safe and effective travel techniques
- Knowledge of low vision devices, mobility aids (e.g., white cane, GPS technology), and sensory strategies
- Ability to provide services to students with visual impairments across all environments and ages
- Ability to assess individual student needs and develop customized O&M plans
- Ability to participate in educational planning and provide recommendations for programs and/or services
- Ability participate in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process
- Skill in teaching environmental awareness, route planning, and problem-solving
- Excellent observational and data collection skills to monitor student progress
- Strong communication skills to collaborate with students, families, educators, and service providers
- Flexibility and creativity in adapting lessons for different environments and learning styles
- Time management and organizational skills for managing caseloads and documentation
- Commitment to professional ethics and ongoing development in the field of visual impairment and mobility instructionS
- A solid understanding of legal and ethical guidelines related to visual impairments
- General professional skills, including a willingness to:
- Make child-centered decisions
- Assume positive intentions when working with others
- Adhere to federal, state and VBISD policies and procedures
- Model VBISD guidelines: Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence
- Complete assigned responsibilities within agreed upon timelines
- Seek ongoing professional learning and accept feedback in a professional way
- Perform additional tasks, responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Director of Special Education and the Superintendent
Essential Job Functions:
- Ability to work on a computer for long periods of time
- Ability to travel across the county to multiple school locations
- Valid drivers license required
Terms of Employment: As per master agreement and provisions established by the Van Buren Board of Education.
This posting and our online application can be found on the Van Buren ISD’s website at www.vbisd.org under Employment. If you do not have access to a computer with internet access, you may use a computer at VBISD by calling 269-539-5218.
Position is open until filled.
In-house staff must fill out the online internal application.