H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
Substance Abuse Counselor roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, or a related field. Employers in community health centers, hospital systems, and residential treatment programs regularly file LCAs with DOL to hire internationally trained counselors.
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Pay: $16.00
Location: 10641 US-80, Meridian, MS 39307
Status: Full Time
Benefit package includes:
- Medical, vision, and prescription drug benefits
- Dental benefits
- Life insurance
- Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability benefits
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off (PTO)
- 9 paid holidays
- Bereavement leave
- Civic duty and military leave
- Opportunities for job advancement
Ready for a meaningful career in criminal justice? Work with a purpose! East Mississippi Correctional Facility located in Meridian, MS. is now hiring career-minded people to assist with securing the safety of our community while positively impacting the lives of those on the inside.
Position Summary:
Reports to the deputy warden, programs. Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of an effective alcohol and other drug abuse program with emphasis placed on awareness, prevention, staff training and networking with community resources in compliance with American Correctional Association (ACA) standards, Management & Training Corporation (MTC), and Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) directives.
Essential Functions:
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Develop and implement a system to promote the coordination and integration of the substance abuse prevention components with other facility programs.
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Assess inmates with identified substance abuse problems; develop and implement a plan to modify or control the behavior by working with inmates, counselors, instructors and the mental health consultant, as appropriate.
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Ensure the documentation of all assessments and plans are in inmates' medical records regarding substance abuse problems.
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Provide ongoing comprehensive training for all staff members in the substance abuse area with specific goals toward staff education and awareness, staff skills in identification and reporting substance abuse problems, individual staff member counseling skills and general team building throughout the facility.
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Assist in providing substance abuse related materials and information in the health education program and development of health services standing orders and facility operating procedures regarding substance abuse.
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Conduct substance abuse and tobacco cessation classes, group educational, peer support and other prevention sessions for inmates/staff.
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Encourage awareness of substance abuse issues throughout the facility.
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Develop linkages with community resources for substance abuse services.
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Promote the development of positive social skills through modeling appropriate behaviors and intervening when inappropriate behaviors are observed.
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Maintain accountability of inmates and property; adhere to safety practices.
It is expected that the incumbent shall perform other duties as assigned within his/her capabilities as determined by management.
Education and Experience Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, psychology, criminology or related field required and where applicable, must possess appropriate certification. Two (2) years of substance abuse treatment experience preferred. Directly related experience may be considered in lieu of formal education requirements if approved by management. Valid driver's license in the state of Mississippi with an acceptable driving record required, unless waived by management.
Post Hire Requirements:
Must successfully complete annual in-service training requirements.
Management & Training Corporation (MTC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, disabled status, veteran status, genetic information, national origin, or any other category protected by federal law. MTC participates in E-Verify. We strive to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans, in our job application and hiring process. If you are interested in employment opportunities with Management & Training Corporation and need assistance, please contact our staffing department through customersupport@mtctrains.com or 801-693-2888.
See all 55+ H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Substance Abuse Counselor
Verify your credentials meet specialty occupation standards
USCIS requires your degree to directly relate to substance abuse counseling. A psychology, social work, or clinical counseling degree typically qualifies. A general business or unrelated degree will likely trigger an RFE, so gather transcript evaluations before applying.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Substance Abuse Counselor roles by employers who have filed LCAs for this occupation. That history signals an established sponsorship process rather than a first-time filing that may stall.
Check required state licensure before accepting an offer
Most states require a Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential. Confirm you can obtain the license before your start date, since employers often list licensure as a condition of employment and H-1B approval.
Confirm the employer pays DOL prevailing wage for your level
Run the OFLC Wage Search for SOC code 21-1011 in your target metro area. Your offered wage must meet or exceed the Level I through Level IV threshold for that location, and the LCA certifies this before USCIS adjudicates the petition.
Ask the employer about cap-exempt status during outreach
Hospitals, nonprofit community health centers, and university-affiliated clinics may qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers. Filing outside the annual lottery means faster sponsorship and no October 1 start-date constraint, which matters for clinical roles with immediate patient caseloads.
Request premium processing if your start date is firm
Substance Abuse Counselor positions often have hard caseload coverage deadlines. Premium processing moves USCIS adjudication to 15 business days. Confirm with the employer upfront whether they'll cover this fee, since USCIS requires it to be filed alongside the I-129 petition.
H-1B Visa Substance Abuse Counselor: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Substance Abuse Counselor role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or a directly related clinical field. Roles that accept any bachelor's degree, regardless of field, can fail the specialty occupation test. Review the O*NET profile for SOC code 21-1011 to confirm the degree requirement before an employer files the LCA.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Substance Abuse Counselors?
Hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, residential treatment facilities, and university-affiliated behavioral health programs are the most consistent sponsors. Nonprofit community health centers often qualify as cap-exempt employers, which lets them file year-round without competing in the annual H-1B lottery. You can browse roles filtered by employer LCA history on Migrate Mate.
Does my state counseling license affect H-1B sponsorship?
It can. Many employers list a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor credential as a condition of hire, and USCIS may treat the license requirement as part of the specialty occupation analysis. If you're still in the licensure process, clarify with the employer whether supervised hours completed abroad count toward your state's requirements before the petition is filed.
How does the DOL prevailing wage requirement apply to this role?
Before filing the H-1B petition, the employer must certify an LCA with DOL stating the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for Substance Abuse Counselors in the specific work location. Prevailing wages vary significantly by metro area and experience level. You can look up the applicable threshold using the OFLC Wage Search with SOC code 21-1011 and your target city.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new Substance Abuse Counselor employer?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer once they file a new I-129 petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, as long as your previous H-1B was approved and you've maintained valid status. The new employer must file a fresh LCA and confirm the role still meets specialty occupation standards under their organization's structure.