OPT Career Counselor Jobs
Career Counselor roles at universities and workforce agencies regularly hire on OPT, particularly for candidates with degrees in counseling, psychology, higher education, or social work. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to complete a full hiring cycle, and STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree classification.
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Get Access To All JobsReports to: Campus Principal and Director of Counseling
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Dept./School: Counseling Services/Assigned Campus
Pay Family: Professional/Administrators
PC Assignment: Counselor, PG/Career/SEC
Pay Grade: 03
PC Assignment Code: 31801
Minimum Salary: $69,265
Insight: Support
Duty Days: 206 days per school year
Primary Purpose:
Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program at the assigned campus. Counsel students to fully develop each student’s academic, career, personal, and social abilities and address the needs of special population students. Deliver guidance curriculum in various group sizes. Educate students on the skills necessary to address troublesome circumstances, support students in challenging situations, and assist students with the resources needed to navigate crisis situations.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in school counseling
- Valid Texas School Counselor certification
Experience
- Two (2) years of teaching experience (preferred)
- Teaching experience at the secondary level (preferred)
- Counseling experience in an educational setting (preferred)
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career development
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with students, staff, parents, and community partners to support student success
- Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
- Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents or guardians, and district staff
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (preferred)
Key Responsibilities:
Guidance Curriculum
- Plan, organize, implement, and deliver structured group lessons according to the district’s guidance curriculum to improve students’ interpersonal and intrapersonal effectiveness, personal health and safety, post-secondary planning and readiness, and other developmental needs.
- Teach the school guidance curriculum components using effective instructional strategies and planned structured groups, considering diverse student populations and needs for differentiated instruction.
- Work with students, staff, parents or guardians, and the community to identify priorities where students will be served through the guidance curriculum component. Collaborates across curricular areas to integrate guidance lessons into content area curriculum.
- Create a balanced curriculum by using well-planned and intentional activities and materials, incorporating guest speakers, and offering engaging delivery techniques, including technology tools.
Responsive Services
- Use accepted theories and effective techniques of developmental guidance to respond to problematic or critical incidents to support students and offer services in times of need.
- Use preventive activities to remove barriers to a student’s educational, career, personal, and social development.
- Implement remediation practices to assist students in coping with problem situations or unwise choices. Identify precipitating and antecedent factors, effective and ineffective approaches to dealing with the circumstances, and provide feedback to guide future decisions.
- Use specialized skills to support students in crisis situations requiring immediate response. Collaborate with district staff, parents or guardians, and local officials to maintain a healthy and safe school environment.
- Provide continued support to students in need through individual counseling, small group counseling, consultation, or referral to services outside the school or district.
- Serve as an impartial, non-reporting resource for interpersonal conflicts and discourse involving two or more students, including accusations of bullying.
Individual Planning
- Create developmental and age-appropriate school counseling services and provide information or literature that highlights related topics to students, teachers, and administrators.
- Assist individual students and their parents or guardians in monitoring their academic, career, personal, and social development as they progress in school.
- Act as a student advocate, leader, collaborator, and system change agent. Advocate for a school environment that acknowledges and respects diversity and ensures equitable access and placement in courses and programs for minority, disenfranchised, homeless, and other special populations.
- Interpret standardized test results, offer career development activities, provide strategies for grade level transitions, and guide students in individual goal setting and planning, including creating and reviewing personal graduation plans and providing information about post-secondary opportunities.
System Support
- Collect, summarize, and interpret testing data to plan, create interventions, guide students, and address specific student needs.
- Conduct an annual program audit to inform accountability, action plans, time management, and systemic change.
- Participate in campus-based school improvement planning and goal setting.
- Provide parent or guardian and staff training and consultation to foster student educational, career, personal, and social development.
- Clearly communicate the counseling program’s management system and related program action plans to campus and district staff, parents or guardians, and the community.
- Participate in staff development and continuing education opportunities to improve job-related skills and research to identify best practices in implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
Records and Compliance
- Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents.
- Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
- Adhere to school counselors' legal, ethical, and professional standards, including current professional standards of competence and practice.
Additional Responsibilities
- Adhere to all district policies, procedures, and expectations as outlined in the employee handbook and administrative regulations.
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
- Participate in professional development, faculty/department meetings, and special events as assigned.
- Perform additional duties assigned to support the mission and goals of the district and department.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools and Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior
Environment: Work inside, may work outside
Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
Appointment:
The Superintendent of Schools will approve the appointment of this position based on the applicant’s training, experience, and expertise.
Reports to: Campus Principal and Director of Counseling
Wage/Hour Status: Exempt
Dept./School: Counseling Services/Assigned Campus
Pay Family: Professional/Administrators
PC Assignment: Counselor, PG/Career/SEC
Pay Grade: 03
PC Assignment Code: 31801
Minimum Salary: $69,265
Insight: Support
Duty Days: 206 days per school year
Primary Purpose:
Plan, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program at the assigned campus. Counsel students to fully develop each student’s academic, career, personal, and social abilities and address the needs of special population students. Deliver guidance curriculum in various group sizes. Educate students on the skills necessary to address troublesome circumstances, support students in challenging situations, and assist students with the resources needed to navigate crisis situations.
Qualifications
Education and Certification
- Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in school counseling
- Valid Texas School Counselor certification
Experience
- Two (2) years of teaching experience (preferred)
- Teaching experience at the secondary level (preferred)
- Counseling experience in an educational setting (preferred)
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of counseling procedures, student appraisal, and career development
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to collaborate effectively with students, staff, parents, and community partners to support student success
- Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
- Ability to present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations to students, parents or guardians, and district staff
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (preferred)
Key Responsibilities:
Guidance Curriculum
- Plan, organize, implement, and deliver structured group lessons according to the district’s guidance curriculum to improve students’ interpersonal and intrapersonal effectiveness, personal health and safety, post-secondary planning and readiness, and other developmental needs.
- Teach the school guidance curriculum components using effective instructional strategies and planned structured groups, considering diverse student populations and needs for differentiated instruction.
- Work with students, staff, parents or guardians, and the community to identify priorities where students will be served through the guidance curriculum component. Collaborates across curricular areas to integrate guidance lessons into content area curriculum.
- Create a balanced curriculum by using well-planned and intentional activities and materials, incorporating guest speakers, and offering engaging delivery techniques, including technology tools.
Responsive Services
- Use accepted theories and effective techniques of developmental guidance to respond to problematic or critical incidents to support students and offer services in times of need.
- Use preventive activities to remove barriers to a student’s educational, career, personal, and social development.
- Implement remediation practices to assist students in coping with problem situations or unwise choices. Identify precipitating and antecedent factors, effective and ineffective approaches to dealing with the circumstances, and provide feedback to guide future decisions.
- Use specialized skills to support students in crisis situations requiring immediate response. Collaborate with district staff, parents or guardians, and local officials to maintain a healthy and safe school environment.
- Provide continued support to students in need through individual counseling, small group counseling, consultation, or referral to services outside the school or district.
- Serve as an impartial, non-reporting resource for interpersonal conflicts and discourse involving two or more students, including accusations of bullying.
Individual Planning
- Create developmental and age-appropriate school counseling services and provide information or literature that highlights related topics to students, teachers, and administrators.
- Assist individual students and their parents or guardians in monitoring their academic, career, personal, and social development as they progress in school.
- Act as a student advocate, leader, collaborator, and system change agent. Advocate for a school environment that acknowledges and respects diversity and ensures equitable access and placement in courses and programs for minority, disenfranchised, homeless, and other special populations.
- Interpret standardized test results, offer career development activities, provide strategies for grade level transitions, and guide students in individual goal setting and planning, including creating and reviewing personal graduation plans and providing information about post-secondary opportunities.
System Support
- Collect, summarize, and interpret testing data to plan, create interventions, guide students, and address specific student needs.
- Conduct an annual program audit to inform accountability, action plans, time management, and systemic change.
- Participate in campus-based school improvement planning and goal setting.
- Provide parent or guardian and staff training and consultation to foster student educational, career, personal, and social development.
- Clearly communicate the counseling program’s management system and related program action plans to campus and district staff, parents or guardians, and the community.
- Participate in staff development and continuing education opportunities to improve job-related skills and research to identify best practices in implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
Records and Compliance
- Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents.
- Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
- Adhere to school counselors' legal, ethical, and professional standards, including current professional standards of competence and practice.
Additional Responsibilities
- Adhere to all district policies, procedures, and expectations as outlined in the employee handbook and administrative regulations.
- Follow district safety protocols and emergency procedures.
- Participate in professional development, faculty/department meetings, and special events as assigned.
- Perform additional duties assigned to support the mission and goals of the district and department.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- None
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools and Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Repetitive hand motions including frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); occasional physical restraint of students to control behavior
Environment: Work inside, may work outside
Mental Demands: Maintain emotional control under stress; may work prolonged or irregular hours
This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
Appointment:
The Superintendent of Schools will approve the appointment of this position based on the applicant’s training, experience, and expertise.
See all OPT Career Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Career Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Career Counselor
Target higher education institutions first
Colleges and universities hire Career Counselors frequently and are experienced with OPT work authorization. They often have dedicated HR staff who understand F-1 employment rules, making the hiring process smoother than with smaller private employers.
Lead with your degree field in applications
Career Counselor roles typically require a degree in counseling, psychology, or higher education. Clearly stating your field on your resume helps hiring managers immediately confirm your OPT work authorization is tied to a directly relevant qualification.
Apply before your OPT start date when possible
Many university hiring cycles run three to four months. Submit applications at least 60 days before your OPT begins so offers can be extended and onboarding completed without gaps in your authorized employment period.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
Counseling and psychology programs are generally not STEM-designated, so most Career Counselor OPT holders have 12 months. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before telling employers what your authorization period covers.
Emphasize cross-cultural advising experience
International students bring direct insight into navigating U.S. academic and professional systems. Framing your own experience as an asset for advising diverse student populations addresses a genuine employer need and differentiates you from domestic candidates.
Confirm the employer can verify E-Verify enrollment
OPT employment is lawful without E-Verify, but STEM OPT extension requires an E-Verify employer. If you're pursuing a STEM-adjacent program or want flexibility, confirm enrollment status early rather than after an offer is made.
Career Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Career Counselor on OPT with a counseling or psychology degree?
Yes. Career Counselor positions directly align with degrees in counseling, psychology, higher education administration, and social work, all of which support standard OPT work authorization. Your employment must be in a role related to your degree field, and counseling students into career paths satisfies that requirement clearly. Your DSO can confirm the connection if an employer asks.
Do Career Counselor employers typically understand OPT authorization?
Universities and colleges, the most common Career Counselor employers, generally have strong familiarity with OPT because they already employ international students and staff. Nonprofit workforce agencies vary. Smaller private career coaching firms may need more explanation. When browsing opportunities on Migrate Mate, you can filter for employers already experienced with OPT sponsorship to reduce friction in the hiring process.
What happens to my OPT if I move from one Career Counselor role to another?
You can change employers on OPT without filing any new applications, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days so your SEVIS record stays current. The new role still needs to be related to your degree field. A gap between positions is permissible up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment before your OPT is terminated.
Is part-time Career Counselor work allowed on OPT?
Yes, OPT permits part-time work of at least one hour per week, though most university Career Counselor roles are full-time. Working part-time still counts toward your 90-day unemployment limit, since any authorized employment pauses that clock. If you hold multiple part-time positions, each must be related to your degree field.
What should I do if my OPT expires before securing a Career Counselor role?
If your 12-month OPT period ends without a qualifying offer, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you cannot work. You would need to transition to a new status, such as a cap-gap extension if an H-1B visa petition is pending, or return home and continue applying. Planning your job search well before expiration is critical. Career Counselor roles in higher education sometimes take four to six months from application to start date, so early applications matter.