Job Description

Orientation & Mobility Specialist (O&M) – School-Based

Ellisville, MS | Part-Time | 2026–2027 School Year | On-Site

About Us

TheraPeds Partners is a therapist-owned and operated organization. We partner with schools to provide Orientation and Mobility specialists (O&M) services to students nationwide. As a team of special education providers, we understand the education process, IDEA requirements, and the importance of collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Our mission is to deliver high-quality O&M (SPED) services while making meaningful connections in a collaborative learning environment.

TheraPeds Partners is seeking a dedicated Orientation & Mobility Specialist (O&M) to join our team for a part-time, school-based opportunity in Ellisville, Mississippi for the 2026–2027 school year.

If you're passionate about helping students who are blind or visually impaired develop the skills, confidence, and independence needed to safely navigate their school and community environments, this could be a great fit. You'll work with students, collaborating with families, educators, Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments, related-service providers, and other members of the educational team, with support from both the district and TheraPeds.

Position Details

• Part-time: 20 hours per week
• School year: 2026–2027, August through May/June
• Grades: K–12
• Location: Ellisville, Mississippi
• Setting: On-site, in-person
• Pay: $50-65/hour, based on experience, qualifications, and employment arrangement
• Weekly compensation
• Guaranteed hours, including designated documentation, planning, consultation, and administrative time
• Manageable caseload
• Support from both the school district and TheraPeds Partners

What You'll Do

As a school-based Orientation & Mobility Specialist, you'll assess and provide individualized instruction to students who are blind or visually impaired, helping them develop the skills necessary to travel safely, efficiently, and independently within their schools and communities.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Providing individualized orientation and mobility instruction to students in one-on-one and small-group settings
• Conducting comprehensive O&M assessments and evaluations to determine students' functional mobility and travel needs
• Developing measurable, educationally relevant IEP goals and objectives based on assessment findings and individual student needs
• Providing direct O&M services and implementing instruction identified in students' IEPs
• Teaching concepts and skills related to orientation, spatial awareness, body awareness, environmental awareness, route planning, and independent travel
• Providing instruction in appropriate mobility techniques, including human guide, protective techniques, trailing, cane skills, and other strategies based on individual student needs
• Teaching students to safely navigate classrooms, hallways, stairs, school campuses, transportation areas, community settings, and other environments relevant to their educational program
• Tailoring instruction based on each student's vision, age, developmental level, mobility needs, communication abilities, and additional disabilities
• Assessing school campuses and educational environments for accessibility and travel safety
• Identifying potential environmental barriers and recommending appropriate modifications to improve safe and independent access
• Developing and recommending safe travel routes within school and community environments
• Supporting students in developing problem-solving, self-advocacy, and independent travel skills
• Monitoring student progress, collecting data, and adapting instructional strategies based on individual performance and changing needs
• Completing timely and accurate evaluations, progress reports, IEP documentation, and other required records
• Participating in IEP meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings, and student-support meetings
• Providing case management as applicable to the assigned position
• Collaborating with Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs), special education and general education teachers, therapists, families, administrators, and other members of the educational team
• Providing consultation, education, and guidance to school staff and families regarding mobility, environmental access, and strategies that promote student independence
• Maintaining confidentiality and following applicable professional standards, district policies, and state and federal requirements

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree in Orientation & Mobility, Vision Studies, Special Education, or a related field preferred
• Completion of a recognized Orientation & Mobility preparation program
• Current Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) certification through ACVREP required or eligibility to obtain certification, based on district requirements
• Appropriate Mississippi educational licensure, certification, or authorization, as required for the position
• Experience working with children or school-aged students who are blind or visually impaired
• 1+ years of school-based experience preferred
• Knowledge of orientation and mobility assessments, instructional methods, and evidence-based O&M practices
• Knowledge of visual impairments and their impact on student access, mobility, orientation, and educational participation
• Ability to assess environmental accessibility and travel safety and recommend appropriate modifications
• Experience providing instruction in cane travel, orientation skills, environmental concepts, route planning, and safe independent travel
• Ability to adapt instruction for students with multiple or additional disabilities
• Understanding of IEPs, IDEA, special education processes, and educationally relevant O&M services
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Proficient in the use of technology for documentation, communication, and educational purposes
• Ability to successfully complete required fingerprinting and background clearances
• Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, educators, administrators, and multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated professionalism and ability to exercise a high level of tact, discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment in internal and external communications

Physical Requirements

• School-based Orientation & Mobility services are active and frequently provided throughout school campuses and community environments. The O&M Specialist must be able to safely travel with and provide instruction to students across a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.
• Physical responsibilities may include prolonged walking and standing, sitting, bending, kneeling, reaching, navigating stairs and uneven surfaces, traveling outdoors in varying conditions, transitioning to and from the floor, and lifting or assisting with students, materials, or mobility equipment as appropriate to the position.
• All responsibilities will be performed in accordance with assigned duties, district safety requirements, and applicable accommodations.

Benefits

Compensation & Benefits:

Benefits and compensation are based on employment classification and eligibility.

W-2 employees may be eligible for:

• Competitive hourly compensation
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• 401(k)
• Guaranteed hours
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities
• Ongoing clinical and administrative support
• Access to the TheraPeds professional community

1099 independent contractor opportunities may include:

• Competitive contract rates
• Benefit Resources
• Flexibility associated with independent contractor status
• Access to professional and administrative resources through TheraPeds Partners
• Guaranteed hours
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities
• Ongoing clinical and administrative support
• Access to the TheraPeds professional community

Specific compensation, benefits, and terms will be outlined in the applicable employment or independent contractor agreement.

Why TheraPeds Partners?

At TheraPeds Partners, we believe school-based professionals do their best work when they feel supported, valued, and connected to the teams they serve.

As a therapist-owned organization, we understand the realities of working in school-based practice. Our goal is to create strong partnerships between professionals and schools while providing the professional and administrative support needed for both students and providers to succeed.

If you're an Orientation & Mobility Specialist looking for a part-time school-based O&M position in Ellisville, Mississippi, we'd love to connect with you.