OPT School Counselor Jobs
School Counselor OPT jobs are a strong fit for F-1 students with degrees in counseling, psychology, or social work. Most positions require state licensure, which affects your timeline, so understanding how your 12-month OPT window interacts with credentialing requirements is critical before you apply.
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Get Access To All JobsSchool Counselor - 10 Months
FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE
The purpose of this position is to promote student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career and personal/social development of all students.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on the NC Comprehensive School Counseling Standard Course of Study and current individual school data.
- Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
- Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals, and plans.
- Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data and assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling.
- Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning.
- Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.
- Implements an effective referral and follow-up process.
- Monitors student academic performance, behavior and attendance and assists with appropriate interventions.
- Uses available technology resources to enhance the school counseling program.
- Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of NC Comprehensive School Counseling Guidelines.
- Knowledge of standards on professional identity of school counseling, cultural diversity, human growth and development, and career development.
- Knowledge of laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.
- Ability to exercise good judgement in appraising situations and making recommendations for actions to be taken.
- Ability to secure the cooperation of students/parents, obtain needed information, and provide needed services for them.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, public agencies, school officials and staff.
- Ability to deal sensitively, confidentially, and tactfully with school personnel, families, and members of all socio-economic groups.
- Skill in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams Meeting, as well as Google Drive.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum: Master’s Degree in School Counseling
Desirable: Master’s Degree in School Counseling and three years related work experience.
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:
Valid NC Teaching License as a School Counselor
PHYSICAL WORK DEMANDS:
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
Climbing/Balancing
I
Lifting/Carrying
O up to 30 lbs.
Crawling/Kneeling
I
Grasping/Twisting
O
Walking
F
Reaching
F
Running
I
Pushing/Pulling
O
Standing
F
Fingering/Typing
F
Sitting
F
Driving
I requires driving car between sites
Bending/Stooping
O
Others:
In compliance with Federal Law, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.
When applying, please make sure to include all prior experience in your application.
Please provide at least two references. One must be the current or most recent supervisor and the other a previous supervisor.
School Counselor - 10 Months
FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE
The purpose of this position is to promote student success, provide preventive services, and respond to identified student needs by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses academic, career and personal/social development of all students.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develops and maintains a written plan for effective delivery of the school counseling program based on the NC Comprehensive School Counseling Standard Course of Study and current individual school data.
- Implements developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented group activities to meet student needs and school goals.
- Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals, and plans.
- Accurately and appropriately interprets and utilizes student data and assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling.
- Collaborates with parents/guardians and educators to assist students with educational and career planning.
- Provides individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.
- Implements an effective referral and follow-up process.
- Monitors student academic performance, behavior and attendance and assists with appropriate interventions.
- Uses available technology resources to enhance the school counseling program.
- Adheres to laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of NC Comprehensive School Counseling Guidelines.
- Knowledge of standards on professional identity of school counseling, cultural diversity, human growth and development, and career development.
- Knowledge of laws, policies, procedures, and ethical standards of the school counseling profession.
- Ability to exercise good judgement in appraising situations and making recommendations for actions to be taken.
- Ability to secure the cooperation of students/parents, obtain needed information, and provide needed services for them.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, public agencies, school officials and staff.
- Ability to deal sensitively, confidentially, and tactfully with school personnel, families, and members of all socio-economic groups.
- Skill in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams Meeting, as well as Google Drive.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum: Master’s Degree in School Counseling
Desirable: Master’s Degree in School Counseling and three years related work experience.
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:
Valid NC Teaching License as a School Counselor
PHYSICAL WORK DEMANDS:
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
Climbing/Balancing
I
Lifting/Carrying
O up to 30 lbs.
Crawling/Kneeling
I
Grasping/Twisting
O
Walking
F
Reaching
F
Running
I
Pushing/Pulling
O
Standing
F
Fingering/Typing
F
Sitting
F
Driving
I requires driving car between sites
Bending/Stooping
O
Others:
In compliance with Federal Law, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.
When applying, please make sure to include all prior experience in your application.
Please provide at least two references. One must be the current or most recent supervisor and the other a previous supervisor.
See all 116+ OPT School Counselor Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a School Counselor
Target public school districts over private schools
Public school districts are government entities, making them cap-exempt H-1B visa sponsors. If you need long-term sponsorship after OPT, public employers are significantly more accessible than private schools with limited HR infrastructure.
Start your state licensure process immediately
Most states require a counseling license before you can work in schools. Applications take two to six months. Begin the process as soon as your OPT is approved so licensure gaps don't eat into your authorized work period.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility early
School Counselor roles typically fall under non-STEM CIP codes, meaning standard 12-month OPT applies. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying to avoid incorrect assumptions about your authorized work duration.
Frame your international background as an asset
Districts serving English Language Learner populations actively value bilingual, multicultural counselors. Highlight language skills and cross-cultural competency in your application materials to stand out and ease employer sponsorship hesitation.
Negotiate your start date around your OPT approval timeline
School districts hire on academic-year cycles. If your OPT approval is pending, communicate your expected authorization date clearly. Most districts plan months ahead and can accommodate a delayed August or September start date.
Ask about long-term sponsorship intent before accepting offers
Some districts sponsor H-1B or permanent residence for hard-to-fill counselor roles. Ask HR directly during late interview stages whether they have prior sponsorship experience, so you avoid investing in roles with no long-term pathway.
School Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a School Counselor on OPT without a state license?
It depends on the state and the specific role. Most states legally require a school counseling credential or license to hold the title. Some districts offer provisional or intern positions that allow unlicensed counselors to work under supervision while completing licensure, which can be a practical bridge during your OPT period.
Do School Counselor jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Generally no. School Counseling programs are typically classified under CIP code 13.1101, which is not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. This means most School Counselor OPT positions fall under the standard 12-month authorization. Confirm your specific degree CIP code with your Designated School Official before making any employment plans based on a 24-month STEM extension.
Where can I find School Counselor jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is designed specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship compatibility. Searching there lets you identify districts and employers already open to work-authorized candidates, saving you from applying to roles where OPT status will disqualify you before the interview stage.
Are public school districts more likely to sponsor OPT and H-1B for School Counselors?
Yes, public school districts are among the more accessible employers for international candidates. As government entities, they are cap-exempt for H-1B purposes, meaning they can file H-1B petitions year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. Districts in areas with counselor shortages are especially motivated to sponsor qualified candidates who are already working on OPT.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm hired for a school year contract that ends in June?
A contract ending in June does not automatically terminate your OPT. You enter unemployment status, and USCIS allows up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment during your OPT period. If you secure a new position before exceeding that limit, your OPT remains valid. Plan your job search to begin well before the contract end date to stay within the 90-day threshold.