2025-39 Education Support Specialist - Orientation and Mobility Lead

hybrid
Flexible within the Atlantic Provinces, Flexible within the Atlantic Provinces, Canada .
full-time . June 19, 2025

Description

COMPETITION #: 2025-39

INITIAL POSTING DATE: June 25, 2025

JOB TYPE: Full Time, Permanent

LOCATION: Flexible within the Atlantic Provinces

CITY: Flexible

APPLY BY: July 5, 2025 at Noon

SALARY: In accordance with the APSEA/NSGEU Agreement or APSEA/NBU Agreement, $69,000.10 to $84,021.08 annually

START DATE: As soon as possible

Unlock Your Potential with APSEA – A Career That Makes a Difference!

Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority (APSEA) is more than just an agency – it’s a community dedicated to empowering children and youth across Atlantic Canada who are Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing (DHH), blind and visually impaired (BVI). Since 1975, we’ve been on a mission to provide inclusive, responsive, and flexible educational services. Now, we want you to join us and help make a lasting impact on the lives of learners and their families.

Why Join Us? By becoming a part-time Education Support Specialist - Orientation and Mobility (O&M) with APSEA, you’ll have the opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of children and youth with diverse needs while working alongside a team of dedicated professionals.

At APSEA, we offer more than just a job – we offer an environment where your passion and skills will thrive.

Here’s what we bring to the table:

Access to a Pension Plan
Comprehensive Health and Dental Benefits
Professional Learning Opportunities to keep you at the top of your game
A supportive, inclusive culture where diversity is celebrated and embraced

What's the role?

The full time Education Support Specialist (ESS) - O&M Lead is responsible for the delivery of quality O&M programs across the Atlantic Provinces, supporting APSEA learners who are blind or visually impaired. The ESS – O&M Lead provides O&M expertise in the development and implementation of individualized programs which optimize learner potential in areas of orientation, movement, and travel. Working collaboratively with APSEA colleagues, school-based teams, and other professionals is a critical component of the O&M Specialist’s role.

In addition to their daily responsibilities of working with their assigned learners, the ESS - O&M Lead is responsible for supporting and guiding the O&M team to implement O&M programs in accordance with practices related to Responsive Teaching & Learning. They focus on individual and group professional learning that will expand and refine the understanding about research-based O&M practices.

Day-to-day, this individual:

Provides coaching, modelling, and collaborative support that is responsive to the needs of the O&M team.
Develops and monitors O&M programs, policies, and procedures to meet the needs of the learners who are BVI. This includes providing professional learning to individuals an/or groups to teach O&M principles.
Collaborates with leadership as required to ensure consistent, comprehensive, and effective O&M programs are prepared and delivered to learners supported by APSEA.
Engages in professional learning and keeps abreast of current literature to remain knowledgeable concerning emerging trends, innovations, programs, and materials in the field of O&M.
Conducts O&M assessments to guide learning.
Provides Tier 1, 2, and 3 support to educational teams, families, and community care of partners to support the provision of O&M training to learners who are BVI and are eligible to receive APSEA services.  
Fosters respectful, collaborative relationships between families and professionals.  
Collaborates with APSEA colleagues to maximize learner preparation for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living.
Contribute individually and as a member of the O&M Team to the development of resources and supports such as guides, handbooks, and video/web materials.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are among APSEA’s guiding principles. Moreover, diversity within APSEA is a strength that must be cultivated. It is the responsibility of every APSEA employee to foster a culture that embraces and promotes diversity. 

What You Bring to the Table: You’re not just looking for any job – you’re passionate about education, and you bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.

We are looking for someone who:

Has graduated from a Certified Orientation and Mobility program.
Brings professional certification in Orientation and Mobility (COMS) from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).
Has a minimum of five (5) years experience as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
Brings experience in a leadership capacity.
Has proven ability to mentor and coach staff in a professional capacity.
Has experience with assessment and program planning in O&M for learners who are BVI, including those with additional exceptionalities.
Has experience working with learners who are blind, visually impaired, or who have multiple exceptionalities.
Has the ability to communicate effectively within a team, working with contacts who are not specialized in the field of Orientation and Mobility.
Proven ability to prioritize effectively; has the ability to facilitate and support team building for the development and implementation of learner programming.
Brings competency with the use of technology and access technology.
Brings excellent problem-solving, adaptability, and decision-making skills.
Shows excellent interpersonal skills with both children and adults.
Is ok with regular travel: supporting O&M service delivery and consultation throughout the Atlantic Provinces. Access to a reliable mode of transportation. Overnight stays may be expected.
Brings professionalism and confidentiality regarding access and distribution of the learner’s information. Diplomacy and tact are required to address sensitive issues with families and colleagues.
Has strong time management skills to ensure work can be completed effectively and in a timely manner to optimize operations.
Can maintain a flexible work schedule to accommodate learning outside of typical school hours.

Would be a plus if you have:

Knowledge of the Unified English Braille Code and the ability to design tactile graphics.
Experience teaching O&M in a variety of settings.
French language proficiency.

Note: an offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.

APSEA embraces a culture of belonging in the workplace. We believe that the lived experiences of individuals enrich our organization and enhance our ability to serve Atlantic communities. We value the unique perspectives and contributions of all individuals and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

If you require accommodation in the application and/or interview process, please let our HR Generalist know at julia_pascucci@apsea.ca.

If you’re ready to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of children and youth in Atlantic Canada, don’t wait! Apply now and join an incredible team that’s helping to shape the future of education.

Compensation

$69,000.10 - $84,021.08 per year

Know someone who would be a perfect fit? Let them know!