OPT Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
Substance Abuse Counselor roles can qualify for OPT authorization under social work, psychology, or counseling degree programs. Many positions require state licensure, which takes time to obtain, so start that process early. STEM OPT extension is not available for this field, making your 12-month window critical to plan around.
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Get Access To All JobsPOSTING DETAILS
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
WHY DOES THE JOB EXIST?
This position will work within a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide inpatient mental health treatment that may include but is not limited to assessments, admissions, individual, group and family therapy as well as case management, representation at legal proceedings, and discharge.
HOW DOES IT GET DONE?
Incumbent will complete and update Psychosocial Assessments and conduct extensive planning, maintain accurate and complete documentation and reporting. The incumbent works closely with Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and Juvenile Justice System (JJS) providers.
WHO ARE THE CUSTOMERS?
Our facility is a secure facility which serves the needs of adolescent males aged 13-17 with a history of violence and aggression.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Our facility is a secure facility which serves the needs of adolescent males aged 13-17 with a history of violence and aggression.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION
Associate's Degree in Human Services or Social Services Counseling and two (2) years of experience in mental health, substance abuse counseling and or behavioral disorder counseling environment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Completion of the hiring process is contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment screening process. This position is designated as non-safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an adolescent treatment center, with exposure to mentally and/or behaviorally challenged residents, who may exhibit unpredictable behaviors. Incumbent will work in an acute care hospital and an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Lifting up to fifty (50) pounds may be required. Exposure to potentially violent patients in volatile situations requiring crisis interventions may be required. Some travel with the occasional overnight stay may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
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Agency Contact Information: Yvette Fournier (505) 222-0303. Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
BARGAINING UNIT POSITION
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
POSTING DETAILS
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
WHY DOES THE JOB EXIST?
This position will work within a multidisciplinary treatment team to provide inpatient mental health treatment that may include but is not limited to assessments, admissions, individual, group and family therapy as well as case management, representation at legal proceedings, and discharge.
HOW DOES IT GET DONE?
Incumbent will complete and update Psychosocial Assessments and conduct extensive planning, maintain accurate and complete documentation and reporting. The incumbent works closely with Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and Juvenile Justice System (JJS) providers.
WHO ARE THE CUSTOMERS?
Our facility is a secure facility which serves the needs of adolescent males aged 13-17 with a history of violence and aggression.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
Our facility is a secure facility which serves the needs of adolescent males aged 13-17 with a history of violence and aggression.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION
Associate's Degree in Human Services or Social Services Counseling and two (2) years of experience in mental health, substance abuse counseling and or behavioral disorder counseling environment. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Completion of the hiring process is contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment screening process. This position is designated as non-safety sensitive. Employment is subject to pre-employment and random testing, in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state law, rules and regulations in relation to alcohol and/or drug testing.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an adolescent treatment center, with exposure to mentally and/or behaviorally challenged residents, who may exhibit unpredictable behaviors. Incumbent will work in an acute care hospital and an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Lifting up to fifty (50) pounds may be required. Exposure to potentially violent patients in volatile situations requiring crisis interventions may be required. Some travel with the occasional overnight stay may be required.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Yvette Fournier (505) 222-0303. Email
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
BARGAINING UNIT POSITION
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.
See all OPT Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Substance Abuse Counselor
Target employers familiar with OPT
Community health centers, nonprofit treatment facilities, and hospital systems hire internationally trained counselors regularly. These organizations are more likely to understand OPT work authorization and have HR processes in place to support it without requiring lengthy internal approvals.
Get your state licensure process started immediately
Most Substance Abuse Counselor roles require a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential or state-specific license. Applications take months. Starting the process before graduation protects your OPT timeline and signals to employers that you are ready to practice without delays.
Clarify your OPT authorization in your cover letter
Many behavioral health employers are unfamiliar with OPT. A single sentence explaining that you are authorized to work for any employer for 12 months without employer sponsorship removes the most common objection before it becomes a barrier during the hiring process.
Frame your degree field clearly on your resume
OPT must be directly related to your degree. If your degree is in social work, psychology, or counseling, state that clearly and connect it to the counselor role. Ambiguity about the degree-to-role connection can create compliance concerns for cautious employers or DSO reviewers.
Pursue supervised hours during OPT intentionally
Many licensure pathways require 2,000 to 4,000 supervised clinical hours. OPT employment counts toward those hours if the role qualifies. Choosing an employer that offers formal supervision structures lets you build toward licensure while simultaneously fulfilling your OPT employment requirement.
Apply to government and publicly funded programs
County behavioral health agencies, VA-affiliated facilities, and federally qualified health centers regularly hire substance abuse counselors. These employers operate under clear HR policies, are accustomed to verifying work authorization, and often offer more stable onboarding timelines than smaller private practices.
Substance Abuse Counselor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Substance Abuse Counselor role qualify as OPT-eligible employment?
Yes, if your degree is in a directly related field such as social work, counseling, psychology, or behavioral health. OPT employment must be directly related to your major area of study, and your DSO will assess that connection. A clinical counseling or addiction studies degree connects clearly. A degree in an unrelated field would not qualify, regardless of the job title.
Can I work as a Substance Abuse Counselor on OPT without a state license?
It depends on your state and the employer. Some entry-level or associate-level counselor roles allow you to work under supervision while pursuing licensure. Others require full licensure before your start date. Check your state's credentialing board requirements before applying, and ask employers during interviews whether they hire counselors who are license-eligible but not yet licensed.
Is the STEM OPT extension available for Substance Abuse Counselor positions?
No. Substance Abuse Counseling falls under social work and behavioral health, not a STEM-designated field. You are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning for H-1B visa sponsorship or another visa pathway before your OPT expires is essential. Some employers in this field will sponsor H-1B petitions, particularly larger hospital systems and nonprofit networks.
Where can I find Substance Abuse Counselor jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists behavioral health and counseling jobs from employers open to candidates on OPT and visa sponsorship. Filtering by job type lets you focus on roles where work authorization has already been confirmed, saving you time compared to applying broadly and discovering OPT restrictions late in the hiring process.
Does supervised clinical work during OPT count toward licensure hours?
Yes, in most states. If your OPT employment involves direct client services under a licensed supervisor, those hours typically count toward your state licensure requirements. Confirm with your state's credentialing board that the role and supervisor both meet their standards. Structured supervision documentation from your employer will be required when you apply for licensure.