Job Openings

Children's Center for Visually Impaired

11/18/2025

Position: Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)

Classification: Full-time or Part-time, Exempt, Salaried (hours are dependent on organizational needs)

Reports To: Director of Therapy & Early Intervention Services

Direct Reports: None

Summary/Objective

The Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist will work collaboratively with children, families and other service providers to ensure instruction and strategies supported by the ECC to increase independence in travel, areas of the ECC, and orientation concepts. The COMS will work with staff to ensure orientation and mobility goals are being addressed with consistency. Through evaluation, direct service, and consultation, the COMS will work with families, teachers of the visually impaired, and other members of the educational team to ensure that students are able to participate in the home, community, and school environments to the fullest extent possible. COMS will provide instructional opportunities across all developmental domains to support IEP/IFSP student goals as well as the general curriculum.

Competencies

· Demonstrates practice knowledge

· Analytical and critical thinking

· Strong written and verbal communication

· Collaboration and team management

· Trust and Integrity

· Attention to detail, problem-solving, and organization

· Persuasion/Capacity to influence

· Commitment to confidentiality

· Engages in professional development

· Time management and prioritization

· Adaptable to changing environments and strategies

Leadership Responsibilities

· Ability to guide and direct the tasks and duties of the Teaching Assistants, and to provide mentorship and coaching

· Ability to coach and support interns and/or individuals working as student teachers

· Manage daily schedule to maximize efficiency & benefit to children

· Supports the Vision and Mission of CCVI by actively participating in building committee work

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

· Implements the CCVI orientation and mobility program within the center-based education environment, early intervention, and contractual external school district partnerships.

· Understand educational implications of visual impairments and implement strategies within area of specialty

· Responsible for the care and safety of each child across all CCVI related settings.

· Develops an individual plan aligned with orientation and mobility goals, which is discussed with parents and teachers.

Provides a multimodal approach to therapy within the context of the home, community, center-based educational setting according to the child’s IFSP, IEP, Goal Plan, or Service Plan.
Works with outside agencies to ensure good communication and service.

· Implements individual plan, keeping parents and teachers informed of child’s progress.

· Engages in preparation and meetings for IFSP, IEP, goal plans and student staffing.

· Ensures orientation and mobility needs are met by determining appropriate preview devices and constructing or ordering said device

· Upon request, observes and evaluates children referred to determine individual needs.

· Maintains data on each child’s progress and writes subsequent reports.

Accurately completes documentation and billing requirements by due dates.

· Provides, with other staff members, in-service training for staff, administrators, community partners, and parents.

· Researches and educates self with regard to current educational trends and new developments in the field of orientation and mobility.

· Attends and actively engages in staff meetings, team meetings, student meetings, in-service activities and professional development.

Performs co-visits with teachers and therapists of other disciplines.

Work environment

· Home, community, office, &/or classrooms. No extreme temperatures.

Physical demands

· Frequent sitting, standing, and walking, including the use of floor seating, child-size chairs, stools, etc.

· Frequent and repetitive lifting, positioning, pushing, and/or transferring of students.

· Frequent and repetitive reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching.

· Ability to lift students as follows:

o Students weighing 0–35 lbs: 1 adult transfer

o Students weighing 35–60 lbs: 2 adult transfer

o Students weighing 60+ lbs: mechanical lift or 3-person transfer

Travel required

· Outside the Kansas City metropolitan area - less than 50%

· Some COMS staff may be required to drive to locations outside the KC metro area.

Required education and experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in orientation and mobility, education/special education, or relevant field
ACVREP Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS)
Knowledge in the area of early childhood education and developmental needs of young children

Preferred education and experience

· Master’s degree from an accredited university in in orientation and mobility, education/special education, or relevant field

Additional eligibility requirements

Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel
Proficiency in a variety of assistive technology

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

E_mail: [email protected]

Phone: 8168412284

Cert: Multiple Certifications

Must be certified as an Orientation & Mobility Specialist or currently enrolled in a program.

We are looking to hire 2-3 Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists as soon as possible and/or with start dates in August 2026. Part-time opportunities available.