MOBILITY EVALUATION SPECIALIST

Job Description and Duties This position is located in the city of Bell. The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) seeks a qualified and experienced Occupational Therapist to serve as a Mobility Evaluation Specialist within the Mobility Evaluation Program (MEP), Limited Term Position. Under the direct supervision of the MEP Program Administrator, the incumbent will provide advanced occupational therapy evaluations and interventions consistent with professional standards established by the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (CDRS), and the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED). The Mobility Evaluation Specialist will perform comprehensive clinical assessments of consumers’ physical, visual, cognitive, and functional abilities to determine appropriate adaptive driving solutions and vehicle modifications that ensure safety and independent operation. The specialist will collaborate extensively with the Mobility Evaluation Team, communicating evaluation findings, participating in behind-the-wheel assessments, assisting with adaptive equipment fittings, and verifying that prescribed modifications meet established safety and functional standards. Responsibilities also include adjusting seating and adaptive equipment for optimal control, promoting community reintegration and consumer independence, and preparing the Occupational Therapy section of the Comprehensive Driver Evaluation Report. Applicants must possess current licensure as an Occupational Therapist in California and demonstrate experience recommending and implementing adaptive equipment, seating accommodations, and vehicle modifications. Certification as a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) and prior experience within driver rehabilitation programs are highly desirable. Limited Term Positions: This is a 12-month limited term position that may be extended and/or may become permanent pending budget approval. The hours of the position are flexible; incumbent may work anywhere from 8 to 30 hours per week, depending on incumbent and Department agreement. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements If mailing in an application, include JC#496079 on your State Application (STD678) in the "Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for which you are applying" section found under the “Questions” tab of your CalCareer application template. Applicants who do not submit the required information may not be considered for this job. Employment Application (STD.678): It is a requirement to submit work experience, dates, and hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application in order of current and old work experience. Resumes or other documents cannot substitute a state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD.678 may not be considered. Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, and responses to the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) questions. The Department of Rehabilitation is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce. • Licensure: Must be a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT) in the State of California.• Professional Registration: Must be registered with, or eligible for registration with, the National Registry of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).• Experience: Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience working with a broad range of physical disabilities. This experience must include interpreting visual/perceptual tests and functional assessments applicable to driving tasks.• Clinical Expertise: The experience and qualifications must demonstrate advanced clinical expertise reflecting the complexity of the Mobility Evaluation Specialist (MES) role, exceeding entry-level OT requirements in California state service• Valid driver’s license.• Ability to participate in behind-the-wheel evaluations.• Knowledge of adaptive driving equipment, vehicle modifications, and seating accommodations.• Familiarity with professional and regulatory standards (AOTA, CDRS, and The Association for Driver Education Specialist (ADED)). Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate: Desirable Qualifications:• Certification as a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS)• Experience in a Mobility Evaluation Program (MEP) or driver rehabilitation setting• Expertise in adaptive driving equipment, vehicle modifications, and seating accommodations• Experience conducting behind-the-wheel (on-road) evaluations• Strong clinical evaluation skills of physical, visual, cognitive, and functional abilities• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams, including counselors, evaluators, equipment vendors, and administrators• Excellent communication skills for sharing findings and supporting team-based decision-making• Proficiency in preparing detailed occupational therapy evaluation reports• Familiarity with professional and regulatory standards (AOTA, CDRS, ADED, and NMEDA)• Knowledge of evidence-based OT interventions to support safe mobility and community reintegration• Experience mentoring or guiding other occupational therapists or rehabilitation professionals Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Statement of Qualifications (SOQ): Applicants must respond to the following questions. Each response should be concise, well-organized, and no more than one page per question. Provide specific examples of your experience, knowledge, and skills that demonstrate your ability to meet the requirements of the Mobility Evaluation Specialist position. • Occupational Therapy Clinical EvaluationDescribe your experience conducting occupational therapy evaluations of physical, visual, cognitive, and functional abilities. How have you applied your OT expertise to assess an individual’s ability to drive safely or perform mobility-related tasks? Include specific assessment tools or protocols you have used. • Knowledge of Professional and Regulatory StandardsExplain your knowledge of occupational therapy, driver rehabilitation, and safety standards (e.g., AOTA, CDRS, ADED, and NMEDA). How have you applied these standards in your practice to guide recommendations for vehicle modifications, equipment, or safe driving interventions? • Vehicle Modification, Seating, and Adaptive EquipmentDescribe your experience as an occupational therapist recommending and implementing vehicle modifications, seating adjustments, or adaptive driving equipment. How did you coordinate with the team to evaluate the consumer’s functional abilities, determine appropriate accommodations, and ensure that safety, ergonomics, and functional independence were achieved, while in the behind-the-wheel portion of the evaluation? Provide a specific example. • Interdisciplinary CollaborationDescribe your experience as an occupational therapist working within a Mobility Evaluation Program (MEP) or similar team. How have you collaborated the evaluation team to communicate OT findings, contribute to team-based decision-making, and ensure safe and functional mobility solutions for consumers? Please provide a specific example. • Documentation and ReportingDescribe your experience preparing occupational therapy documentation, evaluation reports, or program-specific recommendations. How did your documentation ensure regulatory compliance, support decision-making, and promote the consumer’s independence and safety? • Consumer-Centered Outcomes and IndependenceShare an example of how you used occupational therapy interventions or recommendations to enhance a consumer’s independence, community reintegration, or quality of life. How did you measure success and ensure that functional outcomes aligned with the consumer’s goals?