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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School Counselor
Easton, MD | Pediatrics
Full-Time | $48-$53/hour + | Great Benefits!
HealthPRO Pediatrics is looking for a School Counselor to join our school-based team! Join our collaborative therapy team supporting students’ academic and functional success!
Schedule: Full-Time - 37.5 hours/week
- Flexible hourly rates between $48-$53/hour!
- Generous PTO Accrual + Year-Round Benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, free CEUs & more!
- W-2 position - No extra tax stuff at the end of the year!
- No Weekends | No Holidays | Summers Off
Why HealthPRO Pediatrics?
- Established leader in pediatric and school-based therapy
- Mentorship + clinical support from experienced therapists
- Mission-driven team focused on student success
Join Us in Making a Difference
At HealthPRO Pediatrics, A division of HealthPro Heritage, we are more than just a team—we are a family dedicated to empowering children, supporting families, and fostering growth. As a leader in pediatric therapy, we provide a purpose-driven environment where your skills and compassion truly make a difference.
Responsibilities:
- Provides individual counseling on personal/social, academics, and career choices
- Assists students in transitioning between grade levels
- Serves as a liaison with Teachers and Parents
- For Junior/Middle and High School students, assist with career and course work choices and preparations
- Conduct aptitude tests and interviews related to career plans
- Offer scholarship information, college catalogues, and training manuals to graduates
- May contribute to formulating and preparing school regulations and policies
- Maintain Effective Communication, Collaborate with Multiple disciplines to determine best care
- Provide documentation in accordance with IEP guidelines: Ensure that progress is properly represented in documentation
- Adheres to all policies of the company, including job descriptions, certifications requirements, mission statement, HIPAA, confidentiality standards and patient rights
- Ability to work in a team-like atmosphere, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of therapists, teaching staff, physicians, social workers and students family members
Qualifications
- Must have Master's Degree in Counseling in the corresponding state of placement (or eligible for licensure and have already applied)
- NBCC Certification Preferred
- Complete Clinical Work Requirements
- 1 year of verifiable, supervised professional experience within the last 3 years
- Assumes responsibility for ongoing continuing education and professional development
- Current CPR certification
HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Overview:
School Counselor
Easton, MD | Pediatrics
Full-Time | $48-$53/hour + | Great Benefits!
HealthPRO Pediatrics is looking for a School Counselor to join our school-based team! Join our collaborative therapy team supporting students’ academic and functional success!
Schedule: Full-Time - 37.5 hours/week
- Flexible hourly rates between $48-$53/hour!
- Generous PTO Accrual + Year-Round Benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, free CEUs & more!
- W-2 position - No extra tax stuff at the end of the year!
- No Weekends | No Holidays | Summers Off
Why HealthPRO Pediatrics?
- Established leader in pediatric and school-based therapy
- Mentorship + clinical support from experienced therapists
- Mission-driven team focused on student success
Join Us in Making a Difference
At HealthPRO Pediatrics, A division of HealthPro Heritage, we are more than just a team—we are a family dedicated to empowering children, supporting families, and fostering growth. As a leader in pediatric therapy, we provide a purpose-driven environment where your skills and compassion truly make a difference.
Responsibilities:
- Provides individual counseling on personal/social, academics, and career choices
- Assists students in transitioning between grade levels
- Serves as a liaison with Teachers and Parents
- For Junior/Middle and High School students, assist with career and course work choices and preparations
- Conduct aptitude tests and interviews related to career plans
- Offer scholarship information, college catalogues, and training manuals to graduates
- May contribute to formulating and preparing school regulations and policies
- Maintain Effective Communication, Collaborate with Multiple disciplines to determine best care
- Provide documentation in accordance with IEP guidelines: Ensure that progress is properly represented in documentation
- Adheres to all policies of the company, including job descriptions, certifications requirements, mission statement, HIPAA, confidentiality standards and patient rights
- Ability to work in a team-like atmosphere, collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of therapists, teaching staff, physicians, social workers and students family members
Qualifications
- Must have Master's Degree in Counseling in the corresponding state of placement (or eligible for licensure and have already applied)
- NBCC Certification Preferred
- Complete Clinical Work Requirements
- 1 year of verifiable, supervised professional experience within the last 3 years
- Assumes responsibility for ongoing continuing education and professional development
- Current CPR certification
HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HealthPRO Heritage and its subsidiaries comply with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
See all 164+ 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.