OPT County Attorney Jobs
County Attorney jobs on OPT are rare but not impossible. Most positions are with county governments, which can sponsor H-1B visas but rarely do so proactively. Your OPT window, including a potential 24-month STEM extension if your law degree qualifies, is your primary work authorization period.
Find OPT County Attorney JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 17+ County Attorney jobs
See all County Attorney Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new County Attorney roles.
Get Access To All JobsDate: Aug 6, 2026
Req ID: 59005
Location:
West Memphis, AR, US, 72301
Category: AR DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Anticipated Starting Salary: $69,395.04
Position Number: 22104309
County: Crittenden
Posting End Date: August 14, 2026
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Social Services County Manager is responsible for coordinating departmental operations within a smaller county facility. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.
Initial and on-going training is required and may also require in-State travel (day and or night stays).
Requires the ability to multi-task, problem solve and prioritize.
Must be able to escort clients to and from the lobby multiple times a day. Must be able to sit, type, and talk on the phone for long periods of time. Requires some standing at the multi-functional device for scanning and copying.
Sufficient interpersonal skills to ensure a positive relationship with clients and coworkers.
Preferred Qualifications:
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public administration, or a related field plus three (3) years of experience in a human services or related field, including two (2) years in a supervisory capacity. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management.
The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.
Job Series: Social Services Programs - Competitive
Classification: Social Services County Manager II
Class Code: SSP13C
Pay Grade: SGS09
Salary Range: $69,395 - $102,705
Job Summary
The Social Services County Manager II is responsible for overseeing daily operations and service delivery of social service programs within a mid-sized county. This position manages supervisory staff, ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, monitors performance metrics, and coordinates community outreach and client engagement efforts. The manager plays a critical role in ensuring that vulnerable populations receive timely, equitable, and effective services.
Primary Responsibilities
- Direct and supervise social services program teams and office operations across multiple units (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, protective services, case management).
- Assist in the development and execution of service delivery plans, workflows, and performance standards to align with agency goals.
- Oversee client intake, eligibility, and case management processes, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Manage and mentor supervisors, social workers, caseworkers, and administrative staff.
- Ensure adherence to state and federal laws, DHS policy manuals, confidentiality standards, and ethical practice.
- Conduct routine audits of staff performance, caseload distribution, and service quality metrics.
- Support the County Manager III or higher-level administrator with reporting, budget preparation, and policy implementation.
- Engage with stakeholders, including courts, healthcare providers, schools, and nonprofits to ensure comprehensive client support.
- Serve as the point of contact for community relations, emergency service coordination, and client escalations when necessary.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of state and federal laws related to social services, public assistance, protective services, and eligibility programs.
- Knowledge of budget development, resource allocation, data analysis, and personnel management.
- Ability to develop partnerships, lead large and diverse teams, and interpret complex policies.
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse communities, evaluate programs, and think critically.
- Skilled in time management, organization, and problem solving.
- Skilled in crisis management, conflict resolution, and strategic planning.
Minimum Qualifications
At least three years of experience in human services, social services, public administration, or a related field, including one year in a leadership capacity.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Date: Aug 6, 2026
Req ID: 59005
Location:
West Memphis, AR, US, 72301
Category: AR DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Anticipated Starting Salary: $69,395.04
Position Number: 22104309
County: Crittenden
Posting End Date: August 14, 2026
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Social Services County Manager is responsible for coordinating departmental operations within a smaller county facility. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.
Initial and on-going training is required and may also require in-State travel (day and or night stays).
Requires the ability to multi-task, problem solve and prioritize.
Must be able to escort clients to and from the lobby multiple times a day. Must be able to sit, type, and talk on the phone for long periods of time. Requires some standing at the multi-functional device for scanning and copying.
Sufficient interpersonal skills to ensure a positive relationship with clients and coworkers.
Preferred Qualifications:
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public administration, or a related field plus three (3) years of experience in a human services or related field, including two (2) years in a supervisory capacity. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management.
The Department of Human Services is a place for people passionate about serving others and changing lives for the better. We care for Arkansans of all ages and ensure places like child care centers and nursing homes are safe. We are the safety net for the most vulnerable Arkansans. Whether you answer the phones, take applications, protect children, or help care for residents or patients at one of our facilities, you make a difference by working at DHS. Plus, working for the State has great perks, including a pension, maternity leave, paid state holidays, and much more. At DHS, we take care of our employees so you can help care for others.
Job Series: Social Services Programs - Competitive
Classification: Social Services County Manager II
Class Code: SSP13C
Pay Grade: SGS09
Salary Range: $69,395 - $102,705
Job Summary
The Social Services County Manager II is responsible for overseeing daily operations and service delivery of social service programs within a mid-sized county. This position manages supervisory staff, ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, monitors performance metrics, and coordinates community outreach and client engagement efforts. The manager plays a critical role in ensuring that vulnerable populations receive timely, equitable, and effective services.
Primary Responsibilities
- Direct and supervise social services program teams and office operations across multiple units (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, protective services, case management).
- Assist in the development and execution of service delivery plans, workflows, and performance standards to align with agency goals.
- Oversee client intake, eligibility, and case management processes, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Manage and mentor supervisors, social workers, caseworkers, and administrative staff.
- Ensure adherence to state and federal laws, DHS policy manuals, confidentiality standards, and ethical practice.
- Conduct routine audits of staff performance, caseload distribution, and service quality metrics.
- Support the County Manager III or higher-level administrator with reporting, budget preparation, and policy implementation.
- Engage with stakeholders, including courts, healthcare providers, schools, and nonprofits to ensure comprehensive client support.
- Serve as the point of contact for community relations, emergency service coordination, and client escalations when necessary.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of state and federal laws related to social services, public assistance, protective services, and eligibility programs.
- Knowledge of budget development, resource allocation, data analysis, and personnel management.
- Ability to develop partnerships, lead large and diverse teams, and interpret complex policies.
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse communities, evaluate programs, and think critically.
- Skilled in time management, organization, and problem solving.
- Skilled in crisis management, conflict resolution, and strategic planning.
Minimum Qualifications
At least three years of experience in human services, social services, public administration, or a related field, including one year in a leadership capacity.
Licensure/Certifications
N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
See all OPT County Attorney Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT County Attorney Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a County Attorney
Target counties with established legal departments
Large county governments, especially in populous metro areas, are more likely to have HR infrastructure familiar with visa sponsorship. Smaller counties rarely have the legal or administrative bandwidth to navigate work authorization processes for attorneys.
Lead with bar admission, not immigration status
State bar admission is the gating requirement for any attorney role. Confirm you meet character and fitness requirements as an international student before applying. Immigration status conversations should come after you've demonstrated you're a qualified, licensable candidate.
Understand the H-1B cap-exempt angle
County governments are not cap-exempt employers. Any H-1B sponsorship would enter the annual lottery. Make this clear in conversations with HR so they understand the timeline and aren't surprised by the April registration window and October start date.
Apply during your first OPT year, not your last
Employers are significantly more willing to explore sponsorship when you have 12 months remaining on OPT rather than three. Starting the conversation early signals planning and gives both parties time to work through the H-1B process without urgency.
Frame your international background as an asset
Counties with large immigrant populations often handle housing, public benefits, and criminal matters involving non-English speakers. Multilingual attorneys with cross-cultural competence are genuinely valuable in those contexts. Make that case explicitly in your application materials.
Research counties before applying, not after
Review county job postings for language about work authorization requirements. Many explicitly state they do not sponsor visas, which saves you time. Prioritizing counties that omit sponsorship exclusions is a more efficient use of your limited OPT application window.
County Attorney OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a County Attorney on OPT?
Yes, if you hold a U.S. law degree and are authorized for OPT, you can work as a County Attorney during your OPT period. Bar admission is the critical threshold. You must be licensed, or actively pursuing licensure, in the state where the county operates. OPT authorizes the work; bar admission determines legal eligibility to practice.
Does a J.D. qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. The J.D. is classified under CIP code 22.0101 (Law), which is not on the STEM designated degree list. Standard OPT for J.D. graduates is 12 months. There is no 24-month STEM extension available. Planning your job search and any H-1B sponsorship conversations within that 12-month window is essential.
Where can I find County Attorney jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists government and public sector legal roles and filters for employers open to sponsoring international candidates. Searching on Migrate Mate is more efficient than general job boards because it surfaces positions from employers who have already indicated willingness to work with candidates on OPT or requiring future H-1B sponsorship.
Will a county government sponsor my H-1B visa after OPT ends?
Some will, but it requires a proactive conversation and a willing HR department. County governments are not cap-exempt, so any H-1B sponsorship enters the annual lottery with an October 1 start date. Your best chance is raising this early, ideally when you still have six or more months remaining on your OPT authorization.
Does working as a County Attorney count as qualifying OPT employment?
Yes, provided the role directly relates to your degree field. For J.D. graduates, an attorney position in a county legal department is a direct match. You must report the job to your DSO within 10 days of starting, and the position must be paid and at least 20 hours per week to satisfy OPT employment requirements.