J-1 Sponsorship Jobs in Hawaii
Hawaii's J-1 visa market is driven by hospitality, marine research, and healthcare across Honolulu, Maui, and the Big Island. Resort chains, teaching hospitals, and university research programs sponsor consistently, making the islands a genuine destination for exchange visitors in hands-on, degree-aligned roles.
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Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University Hawai'i may apply for Casual Hire positions, which include administrative, professional, and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments, Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits as provided to regular BOR and Civil Service employees such as paid leave and holidays. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.
Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Title: Casual Hire - Mental Health Intern / Pre-Licensee
Hiring Unit: UHM Athletics
Location: Student-Athlete Services
Date Posted: July 31, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Full Time / Part Time: Part Time
Other Conditions: Hours not to exceed 15 hours per week. All positions require successful completion of a background check. Continuous recruitment until programmatic needs are met. For best consideration, review of applications will begin on August 7, 2026.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Pre-licensed mental health professional functioning as therapist / counselor (under supervision), available to all student-athletes at UHM.
- Part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for maintaining the mental health and wellness of UHM student-athletes.
- Responsible for assisting athletes across all mental health disciplines, including coping with stress, anxiety, and depression, transitioning into and out of collegiate athletics, rehabilitation from injury, and dealing with common mental health conditions.
- Will function as a member of the departmental team. Responsible for triaging referrals and collaborating on cases with other members of the healthcare delivery team.
- Must be able to assist the patient in a sensitive and supportive manner, while acting as an advocate on behalf of the patient.
- Responsible for providing individual counseling and/or psychotherapy services as indicated to student-athletes, under the supervision of licensed mental health practitioners.
- Maintain accurate and current notes as part of patient Mental Health records, for all patients seen.
- Conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals, to treat emotional/behavior problems, educational/academic problems, attention problems, organic disorders, eating disorders, social and interpersonal dysfunction, physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect, personality dysfunction and drug/alcohol abuse (under supervision).
- Provide proactive education to UHM athletic department personnel and UHM student-athletes regarding relevant mental health topics.
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with administrators and coaches in the department, other college offices, and appropriate relationships with individuals interested in the Athletics Department.
- Promote and maintain an environment where the physical, mental, social and academic well-being of all student-athletes are a priority.
- Responsible for performing the duties of a Campus Security Authority as defined by University policy and federal law with regards to the Clery Act.
- Maintains confidentiality to include but not limited to information, files and records that the incumbent may obtain or possess, in accordance with federal and state laws and University of Hawaii policies.
- Know, recognize, and comply with the laws, policies, rules, and regulations governing the University of Hawaii and its employees, and the rules of the NCAA and affiliated conferences as now constituted or as may be amended in the future.
- Immediately advises the Director of Athletics or designee if you have reasonable cause to believe violations, whether by employees, students, or others have occurred or will occur.
- Other Duties As Assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Credentialed mental health professional – must hold one of the following:
- Masters or Doctorate of Social Work from a graduate school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from an American Psychological Association accredited program in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or a combination of these.
- Masters or Doctorate in Mental Health Counseling fields from a fully accredited education institution, including (but not limited to) Masters in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Counseling, and Marriage & Family Therapy.
- Must be a credentialed mental health professional who is a pre-license candidate, and must be supervised by a current, fully licensed UH Athletics mental health professional.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of professional standards and ethics regarding the delivery of mental health services.
- Understanding of, and compliance with, privacy standards including HIPAA and FERPA.
Desired Qualifications:
- At least one year of experience in the provision of mental health services to athletes at a collegiate, professional, or elite level.
- At least one year of experience with provision of mental health services to students at the college / university level.
- Knowledge and functional understanding of the unique stressors and experiences faced by Division 1 Athletes.
- At least one year of experience practicing individual and/or group psychotherapy.
- Experience in working with and diagnosing common mental health disorders (depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder).
- Experience in working with and treating eating disorders.
- CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) Certification.
TO APPLY:
INQUIRIES: Kelly Hee, Director of Mental Health Care Services/Counseling, kmsoler@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Description
Applicants seeking short-term or part-time work with the University Hawai'i may apply for Casual Hire positions, which include administrative, professional, and technical (APT) or instructional-type positions. Because of the temporary nature of these appointments, Casual Hire employees are not eligible for most benefits as provided to regular BOR and Civil Service employees such as paid leave and holidays. Casual Hire appointments may last for up to 89 days for full-time employees, and up to 1 calendar year for part-time employees.
Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Title: Casual Hire - Mental Health Intern / Pre-Licensee
Hiring Unit: UHM Athletics
Location: Student-Athlete Services
Date Posted: July 31, 2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Full Time / Part Time: Part Time
Other Conditions: Hours not to exceed 15 hours per week. All positions require successful completion of a background check. Continuous recruitment until programmatic needs are met. For best consideration, review of applications will begin on August 7, 2026.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Pre-licensed mental health professional functioning as therapist / counselor (under supervision), available to all student-athletes at UHM.
- Part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for maintaining the mental health and wellness of UHM student-athletes.
- Responsible for assisting athletes across all mental health disciplines, including coping with stress, anxiety, and depression, transitioning into and out of collegiate athletics, rehabilitation from injury, and dealing with common mental health conditions.
- Will function as a member of the departmental team. Responsible for triaging referrals and collaborating on cases with other members of the healthcare delivery team.
- Must be able to assist the patient in a sensitive and supportive manner, while acting as an advocate on behalf of the patient.
- Responsible for providing individual counseling and/or psychotherapy services as indicated to student-athletes, under the supervision of licensed mental health practitioners.
- Maintain accurate and current notes as part of patient Mental Health records, for all patients seen.
- Conduct psychosocial assessments and provide psychosocial treatment to a wide variety of individuals, to treat emotional/behavior problems, educational/academic problems, attention problems, organic disorders, eating disorders, social and interpersonal dysfunction, physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect, personality dysfunction and drug/alcohol abuse (under supervision).
- Provide proactive education to UHM athletic department personnel and UHM student-athletes regarding relevant mental health topics.
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with administrators and coaches in the department, other college offices, and appropriate relationships with individuals interested in the Athletics Department.
- Promote and maintain an environment where the physical, mental, social and academic well-being of all student-athletes are a priority.
- Responsible for performing the duties of a Campus Security Authority as defined by University policy and federal law with regards to the Clery Act.
- Maintains confidentiality to include but not limited to information, files and records that the incumbent may obtain or possess, in accordance with federal and state laws and University of Hawaii policies.
- Know, recognize, and comply with the laws, policies, rules, and regulations governing the University of Hawaii and its employees, and the rules of the NCAA and affiliated conferences as now constituted or as may be amended in the future.
- Immediately advises the Director of Athletics or designee if you have reasonable cause to believe violations, whether by employees, students, or others have occurred or will occur.
- Other Duties As Assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Credentialed mental health professional – must hold one of the following:
- Masters or Doctorate of Social Work from a graduate school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from an American Psychological Association accredited program in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or a combination of these.
- Masters or Doctorate in Mental Health Counseling fields from a fully accredited education institution, including (but not limited to) Masters in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Counseling, and Marriage & Family Therapy.
- Must be a credentialed mental health professional who is a pre-license candidate, and must be supervised by a current, fully licensed UH Athletics mental health professional.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of professional standards and ethics regarding the delivery of mental health services.
- Understanding of, and compliance with, privacy standards including HIPAA and FERPA.
Desired Qualifications:
- At least one year of experience in the provision of mental health services to athletes at a collegiate, professional, or elite level.
- At least one year of experience with provision of mental health services to students at the college / university level.
- Knowledge and functional understanding of the unique stressors and experiences faced by Division 1 Athletes.
- At least one year of experience practicing individual and/or group psychotherapy.
- Experience in working with and diagnosing common mental health disorders (depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder).
- Experience in working with and treating eating disorders.
- CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) Certification.
TO APPLY:
INQUIRIES: Kelly Hee, Director of Mental Health Care Services/Counseling, kmsoler@hawaii.edu
EEO, Clery Act, ADA
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
Tips for Finding J-1 Sponsorship Jobs in Hawaii
Verify your DS-2019 covers your role
Your DS-2019 must list a program category that matches your actual job duties. Hawaii resort and research employers sometimes issue DS-2019s under broad categories, so confirm the category aligns with your O*NET occupation profile before you accept an offer.
Target Hawaii's designated sponsor organizations
J-1 sponsors must be USCIS-designated program sponsors. In Hawaii, universities like UH Manoa and hospital systems such as The Queen's Medical Center hold that designation. Start your search with organizations already authorized, not employers who would need to obtain sponsorship from scratch.
Search employer J-1 filing history on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter Hawaii employers by J-1 filing history. This surfaces which Honolulu and Maui employers have active sponsorship programs, so you're not cold-applying to companies that have never filed.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
J-1 trainees and interns must receive the same wages as U.S. workers in comparable roles. Look up the Hawaii-specific prevailing wage for your occupation using the OFLC Wage Search before you enter salary discussions, since island cost-of-living rates typically run higher than mainland figures.
Confirm your sponsor's 32-hour minimum coverage
DOL requires J-1 trainees to work a minimum of 32 hours per week in their program-designated field. Hawaii's hospitality employers sometimes structure roles with variable seasonal hours, so get a written weekly-hours commitment in your offer letter before the DS-2019 is issued.
File your SEVIS fee before your visa interview appointment
USCIS requires payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee before your consular interview. Processing delays at the Honolulu consulate can compress timelines, so pay and obtain your payment confirmation at least two weeks before your scheduled interview date.
See all J-1 jobs in Hawaii
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 jobs in Hawaii.
Get Access To All JobsJ-1 Jobs in Hawaii: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Hawaii sponsor the most J-1 visas?
Hospitality and tourism lead J-1 sponsorship in Hawaii, with major resort operations on Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island consistently running trainee and intern programs. Marine science, healthcare at Honolulu-based hospital systems, and research positions at the University of Hawaii also generate a steady share of J-1 placements in degree-aligned roles.
Which cities in Hawaii have the most J-1 sponsorship jobs?
Honolulu accounts for the largest concentration of J-1 sponsoring employers, driven by its hospital networks, university campuses, and corporate headquarters for Hawaii's largest resort operators. Maui's Wailea and Kaanapali resort corridors are a strong secondary market, particularly for hospitality trainee roles. Hilo on the Big Island has a smaller but active research and healthcare segment.
What types of roles typically qualify for J-1 sponsorship in Hawaii?
Roles must fall within one of the USCIS-recognized J-1 categories: intern, trainee, teacher, research scholar, or specialist, among others. In Hawaii, qualifying positions commonly include hotel operations management trainees, marine biology research assistants, clinical observers at teaching hospitals, and academic exchange positions at UH system campuses. The role must require degree-level knowledge directly related to the field.
How do I find J-1 sponsorship jobs in Hawaii?
Migrate Mate lets you filter job listings by visa type and state, so you can surface Hawaii employers with documented J-1 filing history rather than guessing at sponsorship willingness. Pair that with direct outreach to USCIS-designated sponsor organizations already operating in Hawaii, since those employers have the infrastructure to issue a DS-2019 without building a new sponsorship program from scratch.
Are there any Hawaii-specific considerations for J-1 sponsorship?
Hawaii's geographic isolation means program sponsors sometimes factor inter-island travel into trainee rotations, which can affect your program location and DS-2019 site designation. The Honolulu consulate processes J-1 visa stamps for applicants already in Hawaii, but wait times vary seasonally. Additionally, Hawaii's high cost of living makes prevailing-wage compliance especially relevant, so verify compensation against OFLC Wage Search figures for Honolulu or Maui specifically.