J-1 Visa Counselor Jobs
Counselor roles in the United States are accessible to international exchange visitors through J-1 visa sponsorship, most commonly under the Trainee or Specialist program category. Designated sponsors issue the DS-2019 form, while your host employer provides the clinical or program setting. No lottery or annual cap applies.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY:
As a member of the School Counseling staff, the Counseling Intern collaborates with an assigned school counselor to implement the TUSD School Counseling Program. School Counseling Interns are working toward their Master's Degree in School Counseling (or a related field), and are provided with mentorship from our Certified School Counselor.
Our School Counselors Implement the American School Counselor Association National Model (ASCA). As a member of the School Counseling staff, the counselor is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program for all students at the school site while ensuring equity and access for all students.
School Counselors work at all levels of the school system to support the social, emotional, and academic well-being of students. As a School Counselor, you will collaborate with school and school district staff to help students succeed in all aspects of their lives. This can be helping students through social and emotional challenges or liaising with other agencies and organizations outside the school. You may also help students with course planning and applying for post-secondary education.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Currently enrolled in the last year of a Master’s Degree program in School Counseling that, when completed, meets the requirements for Arizona Department of Education Certification as a School Guidance Counselor
REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO START DATE
- Proof of immunity to rubeola (measles) and rubella (German measles), or proof of MMR immunization
- Must hold a valid Driver's license (Arizona Driver’s License required within 30 days of hire)
- MVReport – showing no more than the allowable points against Driver’s License as described under Governing Board Policy: EEB-R-1 Business and Personnel Transportation Services - Transportation by Employees.
- Reliable mode of personal transportation with evidence of insurance compliance greater than or equal to the state required minimum for car insurance as described under Governing Board Policy: EEB-R-1 Business and Personnel Transportation Services - Transportation by Employees
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience with diverse student populations
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with parents, students, teachers and staff
REPORTS TO: School Site Principal/Counseling Coordinator
COMMENTS
EFFECTIVE: 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
LOCATION: Multiple Locations – District-Wide
FTE: Varies. Typical School Counseling Intern FTE 1.0, 8 hours per day.
WORK MONTHS: 9.5 month
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TEACHER HIRING PROCESS:
This is a pooled job posting for positions across the district. By applying, your application will be added to a candidate pool accessible to schools or departments seeking to fill current or future vacancies. If your qualifications match the needs of a specific site, you may be contacted directly for further consideration.
If you are having trouble securing an interview, please contact Careers@tusd1.org.
CURRENT VACANCIES:
This is a list of current teacher vacancies, as they become available, listed alphabetically with grade/subject area and FTE. The list is subject to change daily:
For current vacancies please contact the TUSD Guidance & Counseling department at 520-225-6211
Internal candidates will transfer at a rate commensurate with their bargaining unit language. For more information on the salary schedule, please reference the Employee Agreements Webpage.
Positions less than 30 hours per week are not eligible for district benefits.
Tucson Unified School District is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination based on disability, race, color, religion/religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or national origin.
SUMMARY:
As a member of the School Counseling staff, the Counseling Intern collaborates with an assigned school counselor to implement the TUSD School Counseling Program. School Counseling Interns are working toward their Master's Degree in School Counseling (or a related field), and are provided with mentorship from our Certified School Counselor.
Our School Counselors Implement the American School Counselor Association National Model (ASCA). As a member of the School Counseling staff, the counselor is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program for all students at the school site while ensuring equity and access for all students.
School Counselors work at all levels of the school system to support the social, emotional, and academic well-being of students. As a School Counselor, you will collaborate with school and school district staff to help students succeed in all aspects of their lives. This can be helping students through social and emotional challenges or liaising with other agencies and organizations outside the school. You may also help students with course planning and applying for post-secondary education.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Currently enrolled in the last year of a Master’s Degree program in School Counseling that, when completed, meets the requirements for Arizona Department of Education Certification as a School Guidance Counselor
REQUIREMENTS PRIOR TO START DATE
- Proof of immunity to rubeola (measles) and rubella (German measles), or proof of MMR immunization
- Must hold a valid Driver's license (Arizona Driver’s License required within 30 days of hire)
- MVReport – showing no more than the allowable points against Driver’s License as described under Governing Board Policy: EEB-R-1 Business and Personnel Transportation Services - Transportation by Employees.
- Reliable mode of personal transportation with evidence of insurance compliance greater than or equal to the state required minimum for car insurance as described under Governing Board Policy: EEB-R-1 Business and Personnel Transportation Services - Transportation by Employees
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience with diverse student populations
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with parents, students, teachers and staff
REPORTS TO: School Site Principal/Counseling Coordinator
COMMENTS
EFFECTIVE: 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR
LOCATION: Multiple Locations – District-Wide
FTE: Varies. Typical School Counseling Intern FTE 1.0, 8 hours per day.
WORK MONTHS: 9.5 month
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TEACHER HIRING PROCESS:
This is a pooled job posting for positions across the district. By applying, your application will be added to a candidate pool accessible to schools or departments seeking to fill current or future vacancies. If your qualifications match the needs of a specific site, you may be contacted directly for further consideration.
If you are having trouble securing an interview, please contact Careers@tusd1.org.
CURRENT VACANCIES:
This is a list of current teacher vacancies, as they become available, listed alphabetically with grade/subject area and FTE. The list is subject to change daily:
For current vacancies please contact the TUSD Guidance & Counseling department at 520-225-6211
Internal candidates will transfer at a rate commensurate with their bargaining unit language. For more information on the salary schedule, please reference the Employee Agreements Webpage.
Positions less than 30 hours per week are not eligible for district benefits.
Tucson Unified School District is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination based on disability, race, color, religion/religious beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or national origin.
See all J-1 Visa Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Counselor
Match your credentials to the right J-1 category
Counselors working in clinical, school, or rehabilitation settings may qualify as a Trainee or Specialist depending on degree level and field experience. Confirm which category your background fits before approaching host employers, since the DS-2019 is category-specific.
Document your licensure and supervised hours early
Many host organizations require proof of counseling licensure or supervised clinical hours before initiating the DS-2019 process. Gather your license certificate, transcripts, and any credential evaluation for international degrees before the first interview.
Search roles on Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned host employers
Not every counseling employer is familiar with the DS-2019 process. Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. organizations that have actively hosted J-1 visa exchange visitors in counseling and related behavioral health roles.
Ask whether the host has a designated sponsor relationship
Your host employer does not issue the J-1 visa directly. Ask during the offer stage whether they work with a designated sponsor such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE, or whether you will need to secure a sponsor independently before starting.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement upfront
Counselors sponsored under certain J-1 categories, particularly those funded by a government or receiving specialized training, may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement. Confirm this before accepting an offer, since it affects future visa options including H-1B visa and green card pathways.
Align your training plan with the DS-2019 timeline
Designated sponsors require a signed training or exchange plan before issuing the DS-2019. Work with your host employer to finalize the objectives, duration, and supervision structure at least six to eight weeks before your intended start date.
Counselor J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to counselors?
Most counseling professionals enter as a Trainee if they hold a relevant degree and have fewer than five years of post-degree experience, or as a Specialist if they bring recognized expertise in a specific counseling discipline. Current graduate students completing a practicum or internship may qualify under the Intern category instead. Your designated sponsor confirms which category applies based on your background.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a counselor position?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. Organizations such as Cultural Vistas or CIEE issue the DS-2019 form and act as the legal program sponsor. Your host employer, such as a hospital, school, or nonprofit counseling center, provides the work setting but is not the visa sponsor in the legal sense.
How do I find counseling employers open to hosting J-1 exchange visitors?
Most counseling job postings do not advertise J-1 compatibility because the arrangement depends on whether the employer has an existing relationship with a designated sponsor. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you focus on U.S. employers and counseling roles that align with exchange visitor programs, which shortens the time spent filtering unresponsive leads.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect counselors on J-1?
It can. Counselors whose J-1 program is funded by a government agency or who receive graduate medical or specialized training may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e). This requires returning to your home country for two years before applying for H-1B, L-1 visa, or immigrant visa status. A waiver is available in specific circumstances, including a no-objection statement from your home country or a request from a U.S. government agency.
Can a counselor on J-1 status bring family members to the United States?
Yes. Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can accompany you on J-2 dependent visas for the duration of your program. J-2 holders are eligible to apply for work authorization through USCIS, which is separate from your own J-1 status. Your designated sponsor will issue DS-2019 forms for each dependent as part of the program enrollment process.