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.
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Get Access To All JobsDate: Nov 5, 2026
Req ID: 61002
Location:
McGehee, AR, US, 71654
Category: AR DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Anticipated Starting Salary: $63,085.98
Position Number: 22097785
County: Desha
Posting End Date: November 11, 2026
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Social Services County Manager I is responsible for coordinating departmental operations within a smaller county facility. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.
Preferred Qualifications:
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public administration, or a related field plus two (2) years of experience in a human services or related field, including one (1) year in a supervisory capacity. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. 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 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.
Position Information
Job Series: Social Services Programs - Competitive
Classification: Social Services County Manager I
Class Code: SSP12C
Pay Grade: SGS08
Salary Range: $63,086 - $93,367
Job Summary
The Social Services County Manager I is responsible for the coordination and daily oversight of social service program operations in a small county DHS office. This role ensures the efficient delivery of essential services such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and child and adult protective services by supervising frontline staff and maintaining compliance with applicable regulations. As the first-tier manager, this position serves as a direct link between community needs and DHS administrative goals.
Primary Responsibilities
- Supervise, coordinate, and monitor day-to-day operations and staff in the administration of public assistance and protective services programs.
- Ensure timely and accurate processing of eligibility determinations and case management activities.
- Provide guidance, support, and performance feedback to frontline staff, including caseworkers and eligibility specialists.
- Interpret and enforce DHS policy manuals and federal/state regulations to ensure program compliance.
- Manage client service escalations, mediate disputes, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Participate in workforce planning, staff scheduling, and basic budget tracking.
- Act as a liaison between the county office, community partners, and central DHS divisions.
- Maintain accurate records, prepare required reports, and contribute to internal audits and quality assurance efforts.
- Support community engagement activities and represent DHS at local meetings or emergency preparedness initiatives.
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 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.
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: Nov 5, 2026
Req ID: 61002
Location:
McGehee, AR, US, 71654
Category: AR DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Anticipated Starting Salary: $63,085.98
Position Number: 22097785
County: Desha
Posting End Date: November 11, 2026
The Department of Human Services (DHS) Social Services County Manager I is responsible for coordinating departmental operations within a smaller county facility. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency/institution policy.
Preferred Qualifications:
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, public administration, or a related field plus two (2) years of experience in a human services or related field, including one (1) year in a supervisory capacity. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. 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 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.
Position Information
Job Series: Social Services Programs - Competitive
Classification: Social Services County Manager I
Class Code: SSP12C
Pay Grade: SGS08
Salary Range: $63,086 - $93,367
Job Summary
The Social Services County Manager I is responsible for the coordination and daily oversight of social service program operations in a small county DHS office. This role ensures the efficient delivery of essential services such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and child and adult protective services by supervising frontline staff and maintaining compliance with applicable regulations. As the first-tier manager, this position serves as a direct link between community needs and DHS administrative goals.
Primary Responsibilities
- Supervise, coordinate, and monitor day-to-day operations and staff in the administration of public assistance and protective services programs.
- Ensure timely and accurate processing of eligibility determinations and case management activities.
- Provide guidance, support, and performance feedback to frontline staff, including caseworkers and eligibility specialists.
- Interpret and enforce DHS policy manuals and federal/state regulations to ensure program compliance.
- Manage client service escalations, mediate disputes, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Participate in workforce planning, staff scheduling, and basic budget tracking.
- Act as a liaison between the county office, community partners, and central DHS divisions.
- Maintain accurate records, prepare required reports, and contribute to internal audits and quality assurance efforts.
- Support community engagement activities and represent DHS at local meetings or emergency preparedness initiatives.
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 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.
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.
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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.