Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities H-1B Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities sponsors H-1B visas for specialized clinical and behavioral health roles, making it a viable target for internationally trained professionals in mental health, psychology, and related fields. It sponsors selectively, so targeting the right role and team matters.
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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 H-1B Visa Sponsorship Jobs USA
Align your credentials to Georgia licensing standards
DBHDD operates under Georgia state licensing requirements for clinical roles. Before applying, verify your foreign credentials have been evaluated by a NACES-approved body and meet Georgia's licensure standards for your specific discipline, whether psychology, counseling, or social work.
Target programs with recurring specialty needs
DBHDD's community-based and institutional programs regularly need licensed clinicians in behavioral health subspecialties. Focus your applications on crisis services, forensic behavioral health, and developmental disabilities divisions, where H-1B sponsorship for specialty occupation roles is most consistently justified.
Verify your role qualifies as a specialty occupation
USCIS requires H-1B roles to demand at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty. Use O*NET to confirm your target job title's standard education requirements, then ensure the DBHDD job posting reflects degree-specific language that supports a specialty occupation determination.
Research prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
DBHDD must pay H-1B workers the prevailing wage for your role and location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up wage levels for your job title in Georgia before your offer conversation, so you can assess whether the offered salary meets DOL requirements.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment during the offer stage
As a state agency, DBHDD is required to use E-Verify for employment eligibility. Ask HR to confirm active E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer, since this is a prerequisite for lawful H-1B employment and affects your start date planning around USCIS petition timelines.
Use Migrate Mate to track DBHDD filing history
Before investing time in DBHDD's application process, research its H-1B sponsorship track record. Migrate Mate surfaces DOL Labor Condition Application data by employer, letting you see which roles DBHDD has historically filed for and whether your target department fits that pattern.
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities H-1B Visa Sponsorship: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, DBHDD sponsors H-1B visas for qualifying specialty occupation roles, primarily in clinical and behavioral health disciplines. Sponsorship is selective and tied to specific program needs rather than broad organizational hiring. Candidates with licensure-eligible credentials in psychology, counseling, or developmental disabilities services are the strongest fit for H-1B consideration at DBHDD.
Which roles at DBHDD typically receive H-1B sponsorship?
H-1B sponsorship at DBHDD is most common in licensed clinical roles requiring a specific advanced degree, such as psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and behavioral health specialists. Roles within crisis intervention, forensic behavioral health, and developmental disabilities programs have the strongest alignment with USCIS specialty occupation requirements, making them the most likely candidates for sponsorship.
How do I navigate the H-1B application process at DBHDD?
After receiving a job offer, DBHDD's HR team works with an immigration attorney to file a Labor Condition Application with DOL and then submit the H-1B petition to USCIS. You'll need to provide credential evaluations, degree documentation, and evidence your role qualifies as a specialty occupation. USCIS processes standard petitions within several months, with premium processing available for faster adjudication.
What is the typical H-1B timeline I should expect with DBHDD?
Standard USCIS H-1B processing can take several months from petition filing to approval. If your offer is tied to the annual H-1B cap, petitions are submitted in April for an October 1 start date. DBHDD, as a state government entity, may qualify for cap-exempt status under certain conditions, which could allow filing year-round outside the annual lottery.
How do I find open H-1B roles at DBHDD and confirm sponsorship availability?
Start by searching DBHDD's official state job portal for clinical and behavioral health openings, then confirm sponsorship willingness directly with HR during your initial screening. Migrate Mate can help you review DBHDD's historical Labor Condition Application filings by role type, giving you concrete evidence of which positions the agency has actively sponsored before you apply.
What is the prevailing wage for H-1B jobs at Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities?
H-1B employers must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is determined when they file the Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor. The rate is based on the role, location, and experience level, and ensures international hires are paid comparably to U.S. workers in the same position. You can look up prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the DOL's OFLC Wage Search tool.