Green Card Employment Specialist Jobs
Employment Specialist roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field such as human services, counseling, or social work. Employers file a PERM labor certification with DOL before sponsoring you for permanent residency, not a temporary work visa.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a Supported Employment Specialist to join its team. The Supported Employment Specialist will assist individuals with disabilities in locating and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. Qualified applicants will meet with businesses to develop relationships and partnerships that encourage the promotion of employment of people with disabilities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The chief purpose of this position is to assist individuals with significant disabilities in locating and maintaining competitive, integrated employment.
-
The Supported Employment Specialist will assist individuals with disabilities in locating and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. Qualified applicants will meet with businesses to develop relationships and partnerships that encourage the promotion of employment of people with disabilities.
-
The Supported Employment Specialist will provide direct services and supports to individuals on job sites, with the goal of assisting the employee with a disability in achieving independence in their employment.
-
Services and supports are individualized, and will, at times, be required to work on evenings, nights, and weekends to accommodate consumers’ schedules. This position is a field position and requires an organized self-starter who enjoys making connections in their community. Business Connections serves Richmond and the surrounding areas. Candidates may be required to cover internship-to-employment projects in Richmond, Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hampton, Petersburg, or Newport News.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
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Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU;
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Demonstrated experience working with individuals with disabilities;
-
Employment Specialists often adjust schedules to meet employer and client needs, therefore the ability to work non-traditional hours, including weekends, holidays, nights is required;
-
Above average verbal and written communication skills;
-
Ability to build community partnerships;
-
Proven ability to carry out job duties in a professional manner, with a positive outlook and approach;
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Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality;
-
Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
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A valid driver's license and vehicle.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
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Experience working with individuals with disabilities in areas of community, integrated, and competitive employment;
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Familiarity with Virginia businesses and community resources.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $53,000-$55,000
BENEFITS
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: Yes
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: 21211Y - Counselor HS 1
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Hannah Lenhart
Contact Email: lenharthe@vcu.edu
INTRODUCTION
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking a Supported Employment Specialist to join its team. The Supported Employment Specialist will assist individuals with disabilities in locating and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. Qualified applicants will meet with businesses to develop relationships and partnerships that encourage the promotion of employment of people with disabilities.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The chief purpose of this position is to assist individuals with significant disabilities in locating and maintaining competitive, integrated employment.
-
The Supported Employment Specialist will assist individuals with disabilities in locating and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. Qualified applicants will meet with businesses to develop relationships and partnerships that encourage the promotion of employment of people with disabilities.
-
The Supported Employment Specialist will provide direct services and supports to individuals on job sites, with the goal of assisting the employee with a disability in achieving independence in their employment.
-
Services and supports are individualized, and will, at times, be required to work on evenings, nights, and weekends to accommodate consumers’ schedules. This position is a field position and requires an organized self-starter who enjoys making connections in their community. Business Connections serves Richmond and the surrounding areas. Candidates may be required to cover internship-to-employment projects in Richmond, Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hampton, Petersburg, or Newport News.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
-
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU;
-
Demonstrated experience working with individuals with disabilities;
-
Employment Specialists often adjust schedules to meet employer and client needs, therefore the ability to work non-traditional hours, including weekends, holidays, nights is required;
-
Above average verbal and written communication skills;
-
Ability to build community partnerships;
-
Proven ability to carry out job duties in a professional manner, with a positive outlook and approach;
-
Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality;
-
Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
-
A valid driver's license and vehicle.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
-
Experience working with individuals with disabilities in areas of community, integrated, and competitive employment;
-
Familiarity with Virginia businesses and community resources.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $53,000-$55,000
BENEFITS
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: Yes
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: 21211Y - Counselor HS 1
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Hannah Lenhart
Contact Email: lenharthe@vcu.edu
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as an Employment Specialist
Align your degree to the PERM job description
PERM requires a direct connection between your academic background and the offered role. A degree in counseling, social work, or rehabilitation services maps cleanly to Employment Specialist duties and strengthens the labor certification before DOL review.
Target workforce development organizations and government contractors
State workforce agencies, nonprofits operating workforce boards, and federal contractors running reemployment programs regularly sponsor Employment Specialists for green cards. These employers understand PERM timelines and often have established immigration counsel on retainer.
Search for PERM-sponsoring employers using Migrate Mate
Filter Employment Specialist postings by green card sponsorship history on Migrate Mate. This lets you prioritize employers who have already filed PERM applications for this job title rather than cold-approaching companies unfamiliar with the process.
Request the prevailing wage level before accepting an offer
DOL sets prevailing wages using the OFLC Wage Search for each job title and location. Your offered salary must meet that level for PERM to proceed, so confirm the wage category during offer negotiations, not after you've accepted.
Prepare your credentials for EB-2 or EB-3 classification early
If your degree is from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation completed before the PERM filing begins. Your employer's attorney will need this to establish whether you qualify under EB-2 advanced-degree requirements or EB-3 skilled-worker criteria.
Understand that PERM timelines differ sharply from H-1B
PERM labor certification currently takes six to twelve months at DOL before the I-140 petition even begins. Build this into your employment timeline and discuss filing milestones explicitly with any sponsoring employer during the offer stage.
Green Card Employment Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Employment Specialist roles qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Most Employment Specialist positions qualify under EB-3 as skilled workers or professionals requiring a bachelor's degree. If the role requires an advanced degree in counseling, rehabilitation, or a related discipline, EB-2 classification may apply. O*NET classifies Employment Specialists under social service occupations that routinely meet USCIS specialty requirements, making PERM sponsorship a well-established path for this job title.
How does PERM green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for Employment Specialists?
PERM sponsorship leads to permanent residency, not a temporary status tied to a single employer. Unlike H-1B visa, EB-3 green cards have no annual lottery, though per-country backlogs can affect wait times for applicants from India and China. PERM also requires DOL to certify that no qualified U.S. worker is available before your employer can file the I-140 petition, adding a recruitment phase the H-1B process does not require.
What documentation should I prepare before a sponsoring employer begins PERM?
You'll need academic transcripts and a foreign credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., plus a resume documenting your qualifying work history. Your employer's immigration attorney will also need proof that your background meets the specific requirements listed in the PERM job description. Preparing these documents before the offer stage speeds up the filing timeline considerably.
Where can I find Employment Specialist jobs that offer green card sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you search specifically for Employment Specialist roles where employers have active green card sponsorship history. Filtering by sponsorship type narrows results to organizations already familiar with PERM filings, which reduces the risk of accepting an offer from an employer who later decides the process is too complex to pursue.
Can my employer sponsor me for a green card if I'm currently on an H-1B?
Yes. PERM labor certification can begin while you hold valid H-1B status. Many Employment Specialists use H-1B extensions under AC21 portability rules to maintain work authorization while the PERM and I-140 process advances. USCIS allows you to change employers after the I-140 is approved and a green card has been pending for 180 days, preserving your priority date in the queue.