Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities OPT Eligible Jobs USA
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities hires OPT students across clinical, public health, and administrative roles. As a state agency within Healthcare & Medical Services, it offers structured pathways for F-1 graduates and has a track record of transitioning OPT hires toward H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and hospital services.
Georgia Regional Hospital at Savannah (GRHS) is a state-funded multi-service facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The hospital provides quality care to mentally ill adults and individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities from its 34-county catchment area in Southeast Georgia. GRHS opened in December of 1970 with a design to decentralize mental health services in the state and treat people nearer to their homes and families. The hospital provides evaluation and treatment to clients needing care. The hospital's admitting office is a psychiatric emergency receiving facility open 24 hours a day.
GRHS is seeking candidates for the position of Behavioral Health Counselor – AMH Treatment Team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under general supervision, this position will serve as psychologist’s assistant providing services primarily on an AMH unit. Will provide individual and small group therapy on psychosis, mania, depression, anxiety, etc. Will be responsible for crisis management and completing safety plans, behavioral guidelines, substance abuse, behavioral assessment, and behavioral interventions as needed. This position develops, implements, and is responsible for the integrity of behavior support plans. Recognizes and discusses potential behavioral problems with the treatment team. Works with psychology staff with psychological services and behavioral assessment/interventions. Works with unit treatment team and nursing staff to carry out individualized treatment plans.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university OR Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND Two years of related experience OR One year of experience at the lower level Behavioral Health Counselor 1 (HCP100) or position equivalent. Note: Some positions may require certification or licensure.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree or higher qualification, in clinical/counseling psychology, or closely related field. Experience working with severe and persistent mental health issues and/or developmental ability. Licensed from Georgia or national certifying associations, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Licensed Master of Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
BENEFITS
In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure, and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.
The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:
- Drug Screening
- TB Evaluation
- Annual Influenza*
Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.
DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
INTRODUCTION
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or any combination of these. As Georgia’s public safety net, DBHDD operates six field offices and five hospitals throughout the state within three program areas: behavioral health, developmental disabilities, and hospital services.
Georgia Regional Hospital at Savannah (GRHS) is a state-funded multi-service facility operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. The hospital provides quality care to mentally ill adults and individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities from its 34-county catchment area in Southeast Georgia. GRHS opened in December of 1970 with a design to decentralize mental health services in the state and treat people nearer to their homes and families. The hospital provides evaluation and treatment to clients needing care. The hospital's admitting office is a psychiatric emergency receiving facility open 24 hours a day.
GRHS is seeking candidates for the position of Behavioral Health Counselor – AMH Treatment Team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under general supervision, this position will serve as psychologist’s assistant providing services primarily on an AMH unit. Will provide individual and small group therapy on psychosis, mania, depression, anxiety, etc. Will be responsible for crisis management and completing safety plans, behavioral guidelines, substance abuse, behavioral assessment, and behavioral interventions as needed. This position develops, implements, and is responsible for the integrity of behavior support plans. Recognizes and discusses potential behavioral problems with the treatment team. Works with psychology staff with psychological services and behavioral assessment/interventions. Works with unit treatment team and nursing staff to carry out individualized treatment plans.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university OR Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND Two years of related experience OR One year of experience at the lower level Behavioral Health Counselor 1 (HCP100) or position equivalent. Note: Some positions may require certification or licensure.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree or higher qualification, in clinical/counseling psychology, or closely related field. Experience working with severe and persistent mental health issues and/or developmental ability. Licensed from Georgia or national certifying associations, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Licensed Master of Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
BENEFITS
In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. For more information, visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/benefits
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, individuals and communities we serve, certain positions within DBHDD may require evaluations, vaccinations, professional licensure, and certifications. Licenses must be current and enable providers to practice within the State of Georgia.
The following are a listing of evaluations and vaccinations that may be required for employees, including those not involved with direct care:
- Drug Screening
- TB Evaluation
- Annual Influenza*
Limited exemptions may be made for documented medical contraindications or religious beliefs that object to vaccinations.
DBHDD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of DBHDD to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process.
This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target clinical and public health roles
DBHDD's hiring concentrates in behavioral health, developmental disabilities services, and public health administration. Align your resume to these program areas before applying, and make sure your degree field maps directly to the role's stated requirements to strengthen your OPT eligibility.
Verify DBHDD's E-Verify enrollment early
STEM OPT's 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm DBHDD's enrollment status through E-Verify's employer search before accepting an offer, so you don't lose extension eligibility after your initial 12-month OPT period runs out.
Time your application around OPT start dates
USCIS can take up to 90 days to process an OPT EAD. Apply for OPT as soon as your DSO authorizes it, and give DBHDD's HR team your anticipated start date in writing so they can hold the role through your authorization window.
Frame your H-1B transition potential upfront
State agencies like DBHDD often evaluate long-term staffing costs. In interviews, briefly note that your specialty occupation degree supports a future H-1B petition, reducing turnover risk for the department and signaling that sponsorship is a straightforward next step, not an unknown commitment.
Use Migrate Mate to identify DBHDD's H-1B history
Before your interview, use Migrate Mate to review DBHDD's H-1B Labor Condition Application filings by role and department. This shows you exactly which job titles and program areas have received prior sponsorship, helping you target the roles most likely to lead to long-term status.
Negotiate an offer letter that names your OPT end date
Ask DBHDD's HR to include your OPT EAD expiration date in the offer letter and confirm their intent to file an H-1B petition before it expires. Having this in writing protects you if your direct manager changes and institutional knowledge of your visa timeline is lost.
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities sponsor OPT visas?
DBHDD doesn't sponsor OPT directly because OPT is work authorization issued by USCIS to the F-1 student, not a petition the employer files. What DBHDD does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD and, in many cases, later sponsors those employees for H-1B status once they've demonstrated fit within the agency.
Which roles at DBHDD are most open to OPT students?
DBHDD most commonly hires OPT students into behavioral health, public health program coordination, social work, and administrative analyst roles. Clinical and direct-support positions in developmental disabilities services are also common entry points, particularly for graduates with degrees in psychology, social work, public health, or healthcare administration.
How do I confirm DBHDD will support my STEM OPT extension?
Ask DBHDD's HR department directly whether the agency is enrolled in E-Verify, which is a federal requirement for STEM OPT extensions. You can also verify enrollment independently through the E-Verify employer search tool. Confirm this before signing your offer letter, not after your initial OPT period is underway.
What is the typical timeline from OPT hire to H-1B sponsorship at DBHDD?
Most OPT employees at state agencies like DBHDD spend 12 to 24 months in role before an H-1B petition is filed. DBHDD's HR and legal teams need time to prepare the Labor Condition Application through DOL and the I-129 petition through USCIS. Starting the conversation with your manager at least six months before your OPT expires is strongly recommended.
How do I find open OPT-compatible positions at DBHDD?
Search DBHDD's official state jobs portal filtered by department and role type, then cross-reference on Migrate Mate to see which job titles at DBHDD have existing H-1B LCA filings. Roles with prior H-1B history signal that the department understands the sponsorship process and is more likely to support an OPT-to-H-1B transition for the right candidate.
How does Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.