Green Card Psychiatric Social Worker Jobs
Psychiatric Social Worker roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification, which requires employers to document a good-faith recruitment effort before filing your I-140 petition. Hospitals, community mental health centers, and VA facilities regularly sponsor foreign clinical social workers for permanent residency.
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Psychiatric Social Worker 3 – McNeil Island
The Special Commitment Center (SCC) is hiring Psychiatric Social Workers to join our team on McNeil Island. The Special Commitment Center programs provide specialized mental health treatment for civilly committed sex offenders who have completed their prison sentences. You'll provide innovative services while performing psychiatric social work, case management, therapeutic individual and group engagements, and collaborative work with the legal system. This includes the creation of service linkages and discharge planning for our specialized resident population.
You will have an opportunity to work with a multitude of disciplines and community partners (e.g. Department of Corrections, Certified Sex Offense Treatment Providers, legal, medical, community housing and service providers) to shape and develop individualized, comprehensive, and safe transition/discharge plans for individuals transitioning from SCC to the community.
The job is based on McNeil Island and requires ferry travel from Steilacoom, which is provided to employees. The ferry ride is approximately 20 minutes each way. SCC employees receive an additional $10 per day premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and a free ORCA card for transportation use.
Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
Additional Perks:
- Clinical supervision and consultation hours towards licensure.
- Relevant training to support professional growth; opportunities for free CEU training to expand clinical expertise and explore areas of interest.
- Flexible schedule variances and a weekly telework day after successfully completing a probationary period.
See why others choose to work at SCC: Some of what you'll do:
- Complete thorough psychosocial assessments and discharge/transition services for residents in total confinement or community settings.
- Conduct transition planning, individual and group-based services.
- Resolve barriers/challenges that may impede timely, safe, and successful community integration by providing service and care recommendations, advocating for appropriate needs, and gauging criminogenic risks and protective factors.
- Coordinate referrals to various community resources as needs are identified.
- Facilitate case consultations, participate in legal hearings, and coordinate between the facility and community programs.
- Conduct treatment therapy to provide life skills education, vocational support, enrichment opportunities, and psychoeducation engagement needs.
We're looking for those with:
- A master's degree in social work from an accredited university/college/program.
- And two years of experience in counseling people who have behavioral health issues.
Desired:
- Possess or ability to obtain an agency affiliated counselor registration.
- Experience working with confined populations or sex offenders.
- Knowledge of sex offender treatment.
- Exceptional ability to form therapeutic relationships with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to work with people who have histories of perpetrating sexual and non-sexual violent crimes.
When applying, please attach the following to your online application:
- A letter of interest
- Three professional references with current contact information (which may be included within the online application). One of the references must be your current supervisor
Questions? Please contact kathy.simmons@dshs.wa.gov and reference #2026-06099.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Description
Psychiatric Social Worker 3 – McNeil Island
The Special Commitment Center (SCC) is hiring Psychiatric Social Workers to join our team on McNeil Island. The Special Commitment Center programs provide specialized mental health treatment for civilly committed sex offenders who have completed their prison sentences. You'll provide innovative services while performing psychiatric social work, case management, therapeutic individual and group engagements, and collaborative work with the legal system. This includes the creation of service linkages and discharge planning for our specialized resident population.
You will have an opportunity to work with a multitude of disciplines and community partners (e.g. Department of Corrections, Certified Sex Offense Treatment Providers, legal, medical, community housing and service providers) to shape and develop individualized, comprehensive, and safe transition/discharge plans for individuals transitioning from SCC to the community.
The job is based on McNeil Island and requires ferry travel from Steilacoom, which is provided to employees. The ferry ride is approximately 20 minutes each way. SCC employees receive an additional $10 per day premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and a free ORCA card for transportation use.
Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
Additional Perks:
- Clinical supervision and consultation hours towards licensure.
- Relevant training to support professional growth; opportunities for free CEU training to expand clinical expertise and explore areas of interest.
- Flexible schedule variances and a weekly telework day after successfully completing a probationary period.
See why others choose to work at SCC: Some of what you'll do:
- Complete thorough psychosocial assessments and discharge/transition services for residents in total confinement or community settings.
- Conduct transition planning, individual and group-based services.
- Resolve barriers/challenges that may impede timely, safe, and successful community integration by providing service and care recommendations, advocating for appropriate needs, and gauging criminogenic risks and protective factors.
- Coordinate referrals to various community resources as needs are identified.
- Facilitate case consultations, participate in legal hearings, and coordinate between the facility and community programs.
- Conduct treatment therapy to provide life skills education, vocational support, enrichment opportunities, and psychoeducation engagement needs.
We're looking for those with:
- A master's degree in social work from an accredited university/college/program.
- And two years of experience in counseling people who have behavioral health issues.
Desired:
- Possess or ability to obtain an agency affiliated counselor registration.
- Experience working with confined populations or sex offenders.
- Knowledge of sex offender treatment.
- Exceptional ability to form therapeutic relationships with people of diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to work with people who have histories of perpetrating sexual and non-sexual violent crimes.
When applying, please attach the following to your online application:
- A letter of interest
- Three professional references with current contact information (which may be included within the online application). One of the references must be your current supervisor
Questions? Please contact kathy.simmons@dshs.wa.gov and reference #2026-06099.
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship in Psychiatric Social Worker
Verify your LCSW meets state reciprocity rules
Your home-country social work license won't transfer directly to a U.S. state license. Research the specific supervised-hours and education requirements for the state where your sponsoring employer operates before accepting an offer.
Target VA and federally qualified health centers
Federal and federally funded employers operate under different hiring mandates than private practices. VA medical centers and FQHCs have established PERM filing infrastructure and routinely sponsor Psychiatric Social Workers for EB-3 and EB-2 green cards.
Request your prevailing wage before salary negotiations
DOL sets a prevailing wage for your specific SOC code and work location through OFLC Wage Search. Your offered salary must meet that floor, so knowing the figure upfront lets you evaluate offers and flag any compliance gaps before PERM filing begins.
Search green card sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter by Psychiatric Social Worker roles where employers have active PERM or I-140 filing history. Migrate Mate surfaces these positions so you spend time on applications with real sponsorship pathways rather than roles with no green card track record.
Understand the PERM recruitment window during hiring
PERM requires your employer to run a formal recruitment campaign and document that no qualified U.S. workers applied. This process typically takes several months before DOL certifies the application, so confirm the employer is prepared to start it promptly after your start date.
Document supervised clinical hours for credential evaluation
EB-2 eligibility for social work roles often hinges on proving your foreign degree and post-degree supervised practice equal a U.S. master's degree in social work. Get a credential evaluation through a NACES-member organization before your employer submits the PERM job description to USCIS.
Green Card Psychiatric Social Worker: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Psychiatric Social Worker role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Most Psychiatric Social Worker positions qualify under EB-3 as skilled workers requiring a bachelor's or master's degree in social work. Roles that specifically require a master's degree or higher, along with licensure, can qualify under EB-2. Your employer's job description and the prevailing wage tier they select for PERM will determine which category applies to your petition.
How does PERM green card sponsorship differ from H-1B sponsorship for this role?
H-1B visa is a temporary nonimmigrant status with a 6-year limit and an annual lottery cap. PERM-based green card sponsorship leads directly to permanent residency with no annual cap at the EB-3 level for many nationalities. The process is longer, typically two to four years from PERM filing to a green card, but it resolves your status permanently rather than requiring repeated renewals.
Which employers sponsor Psychiatric Social Workers for green cards?
VA medical centers, large hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, and state psychiatric facilities are the most consistent sponsors because they have dedicated HR and legal teams experienced with PERM. Smaller outpatient practices and private group practices occasionally sponsor but are less likely to have established immigration filing processes. Use Migrate Mate to identify employers with documented green card sponsorship history in this occupation.
Can my foreign social work degree qualify me for EB-2 sponsorship?
A foreign social work degree can qualify if a credential evaluation confirms it is equivalent to a U.S. master's degree in social work from an accredited institution. USCIS requires this equivalency to be established through a recognized evaluation service. Post-degree supervised clinical hours completed abroad may also count toward the licensure requirements your sponsoring employer must document in the PERM job description.
How do I find Psychiatric Social Worker jobs that include green card sponsorship?
Standard job postings rarely specify whether an employer will sponsor PERM or file an I-140, so searching by job title alone misses most of the picture. Migrate Mate filters Psychiatric Social Worker roles by employers with confirmed green card sponsorship activity, letting you focus your applications on positions where the pathway to permanent residency already exists.