Social Work Jobs at New York State Office of Mental Health with Visa Sponsorship
New York State Office of Mental Health hires Social Work professionals across its inpatient, outpatient, and community mental health programs. The agency has a track record of supporting international candidates through employer-sponsored visa pathways, making it a realistic target for qualified social workers pursuing U.S. work authorization.
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Duties Description
New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) - Washington Heights Community Service is recruiting a Licensed Master Social Worker. Candidates from outside or within State Service can apply. This Licensed Master Social Worker position will be part of a multi-disciplinary team which includes peer specialists, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. You will provide treatment to individuals with mental illness including:
- Screening and evaluating individuals and families
- Performing psychosocial assessments
- Identifying the need for special services and making referrals to providers as needed
- Connecting individuals to benefits and services
- Providing psychotherapy
- Providing case management
- Developing treatment plans
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates from outside or within State Service can be considered for hire under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement – Statewide (NY HELPS) program if they are licensed and currently registered by New York State as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). OR Candidates within State Service can be considered transfer to a competitive class position if they have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. The selected candidate will be tested for proficiency in Spanish and must pass at Level 3 proficiency to be considered for appointment. Proficiency must be at a level that will assure your ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.
Additional Comments
All OMH employees receive a generous benefits package including:
- NYS medical, dental, & vision insurance
- Access to tuition assistance programs
- Excellent opportunities for advancement & professional growth
- Paid time off – 13 paid vacation days in the first year, 5 paid personal days, 13 paid holidays, & paid sick leave
- NYS Retirement programs
Background checks will be required. This position is eligible for a Downstate Adjustment of $4,000.
NOTE:
- In order to be eligible for appointment and to maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). If you are appointed and subsequently listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of these lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program), you may be terminated from your employment.
- If appointed, you may be required to become an enrolled Medicare provider; obtain and provide to your employer a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number issued by the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES); and otherwise actively participate to the degree necessary to allow for your services to be billed through Medicare and Medicaid. If you are appointed and lose the ability to bill through Medicare and Medicaid, you may be terminated from your employment.

Duties Description
New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) - Washington Heights Community Service is recruiting a Licensed Master Social Worker. Candidates from outside or within State Service can apply. This Licensed Master Social Worker position will be part of a multi-disciplinary team which includes peer specialists, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. You will provide treatment to individuals with mental illness including:
- Screening and evaluating individuals and families
- Performing psychosocial assessments
- Identifying the need for special services and making referrals to providers as needed
- Connecting individuals to benefits and services
- Providing psychotherapy
- Providing case management
- Developing treatment plans
Minimum Qualifications
Candidates from outside or within State Service can be considered for hire under the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement – Statewide (NY HELPS) program if they are licensed and currently registered by New York State as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). OR Candidates within State Service can be considered transfer to a competitive class position if they have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in a title eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. The selected candidate will be tested for proficiency in Spanish and must pass at Level 3 proficiency to be considered for appointment. Proficiency must be at a level that will assure your ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position.
Additional Comments
All OMH employees receive a generous benefits package including:
- NYS medical, dental, & vision insurance
- Access to tuition assistance programs
- Excellent opportunities for advancement & professional growth
- Paid time off – 13 paid vacation days in the first year, 5 paid personal days, 13 paid holidays, & paid sick leave
- NYS Retirement programs
Background checks will be required. This position is eligible for a Downstate Adjustment of $4,000.
NOTE:
- In order to be eligible for appointment and to maintain employment, you cannot be listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of the Federal and/or State Medicaid and Medicare exclusion lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program). If you are appointed and subsequently listed as an excluded individual or entity on any of these lists (or excluded from any other Federal or Federally assisted program), you may be terminated from your employment.
- If appointed, you may be required to become an enrolled Medicare provider; obtain and provide to your employer a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number issued by the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES); and otherwise actively participate to the degree necessary to allow for your services to be billed through Medicare and Medicaid. If you are appointed and lose the ability to bill through Medicare and Medicaid, you may be terminated from your employment.
See all 35+ Social Work at New York State Office of Mental Health jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Social Work Jobs at New York State Office of Mental Health Jobs
Get Your MSW Credentials Evaluated Early
New York State licensure requires a qualifying master's degree in social work. If you studied outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency before applying so your degree maps cleanly to New York's LMSW or LCSW requirements.
Target State Agency Roles Requiring LMSW Sponsorship
New York State Office of Mental Health posts roles tied to civil service titles. Check the New York State civil service job board alongside general listings to find Social Work positions that explicitly note visa sponsorship eligibility or immigration support through agency HR.
Understand the PERM Labor Certification Timeline
EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through a state agency involves the DOL's PERM process, which can take a year or more. If you're offered a permanent Social Work position, ask HR early whether the agency initiates PERM for long-term hires in your role category.
Leverage F-1 OPT to Build State Agency Experience
Social Work roles in public mental health settings qualify for STEM OPT only in specific cases, so plan your 12-month standard OPT window carefully. Use that window to secure a position and demonstrate value, which strengthens your case when the agency considers H-1B sponsorship.
Confirm H-1B Specialty Occupation Fit for Your Title
USCIS requires H-1B roles to qualify as specialty occupations. Licensed clinical social work roles tied to specific degree requirements generally meet this standard, but confirm with the agency's HR that your job description and required credentials align before relying on this pathway.
Find Open Roles Using Migrate Mate
Filtering Social Work jobs at visa-sponsoring employers saves significant time during your search. Use Migrate Mate to browse current New York State Office of Mental Health openings filtered by visa type so you're applying to roles where sponsorship is already confirmed as available.
Social Work at New York State Office of Mental Health jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Social Work at New York State Office of Mental Health JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does New York State Office of Mental Health sponsor H-1B visas for Social Works?
Yes, New York State Office of Mental Health has sponsored H-1B visas for Social Work roles. As a large public sector employer, the agency works through established HR and legal processes to file H-1B petitions for qualifying positions. Roles that require a specific degree in social work and a state license generally meet USCIS's specialty occupation standard for H-1B eligibility.
How do I apply for Social Work jobs at New York State Office of Mental Health?
Applications go through the New York State civil service system. Most Social Work roles require you to hold or be eligible for a civil service title, which involves an exam or qualifying credentials review. You can browse current openings on the official New York State jobs portal or find visa-sponsoring roles filtered by position on Migrate Mate before submitting through the state system.
Which visa types are commonly used for Social Work roles at New York State Office of Mental Health?
H-1B is the most common nonimmigrant work visa for Social Work positions at this agency, as licensed clinical roles typically meet the specialty occupation requirement. F-1 OPT and CPT are options for students completing social work programs. TN visas are available for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying social work classifications. EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visas are possible for permanent positions through PERM labor certification.
What qualifications are expected for Social Work positions at New York State Office of Mental Health?
Most positions require at minimum a master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program and a valid New York State LMSW or LCSW license. Clinical roles working directly with patients in inpatient psychiatric settings typically require the LCSW. Some positions also require experience in mental health, crisis intervention, or case management within publicly funded or institutional settings.
How do I navigate the visa sponsorship timeline for a Social Work offer at New York State Office of Mental Health?
Once you receive an offer, the agency's HR team coordinates with legal counsel to file the appropriate petition. H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed in April for an October 1 start date, so timing your offer before the registration window in March matters. If you're already on OPT, cap-gap protection may bridge the gap. PERM-based green card sponsorship runs on a separate, longer timeline and is worth discussing during the offer stage.
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