Direct Support Professional Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Direct Support Professional jobs can qualify for H-2B visa sponsorship when employers demonstrate a temporary or seasonal staffing need and no available U.S. workers. Some residential care employers also sponsor through EB-3 green card pathways via PERM labor certification, making this a viable long-term option for care workers.
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DSHS Fircrest Direct Support Professional – Attendant Counselor 1
Do you enjoy working closely with people in need and want to make a difference in their lives? A career as a Direct Care Provider could be for you. Direct Care Providers, also known as Attendant Counselors, are compassionate about the well-being of our residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities in their homes or at other locations on and off campus.
Fircrest RHC is conveniently located just north of Seattle in the central location of Shoreline, WA, and has excellent access to transit lines. Also nearby are major medical & educational facilities, a variety of eateries, access to Wi-Fi while on campus, as well as an onsite Fitness Center. In addition to an exceptional benefits package, we also offer a complimentary Orca card while employed with Fircrest. You will enjoy being part of a great team and working in a residential setting on a beautiful 88-acre lot with a park-like atmosphere.
Start a career today at and join Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center our community of hard-working professionals. We offer competitive benefits, on-the-job training, meaningful work, and long-term, professional, and promotional growth opportunities. Note: This recruitment will be used to fill various positions and may also be used to fill any additional open positions.
Some of what you'll do:
- Provide specialized care, support, and training for residents with intellectual disabilities by implementing each individual's habilitation plan.
- Train and assist residents to maximize independent living skills in community awareness, safety, and personal care including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, social behavior, and behavioral needs.
- Provide protective intervention with residents who have a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and mental illness.
- Accompany and supervise residents ensuring health and safety of the residents to/from and during activities, community events, appointments, eating, and shopping.
- Able and willing to properly use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow all infection control policies and procedures.
What we are looking for:
- Effective communication skills.
- Strong work ethic.
- Ability to work positively with clients and team members.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Able to work holidays, weekends, or extended hours with short notice.
Who should apply?
Professionals who have a high school diploma/GED OR one year of experience working with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Additional information
- King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.
- Evening and Night shifts include a shift differential in addition to the standard compensation rate.
- Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
Interested? Apply today!
Simply fill out our application and attach your resume and three references.
We need you to help us help others! If we have caught your eye, we want to hear from you!
Questions about job duties or Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center?
Contact: Krystal Link at 206-361-3461 and reference job number #09337
General questions about DSHS?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at ricky.luna@dshs.wa.gov
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Description
DSHS Fircrest Direct Support Professional – Attendant Counselor 1
Do you enjoy working closely with people in need and want to make a difference in their lives? A career as a Direct Care Provider could be for you. Direct Care Providers, also known as Attendant Counselors, are compassionate about the well-being of our residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities in their homes or at other locations on and off campus.
Fircrest RHC is conveniently located just north of Seattle in the central location of Shoreline, WA, and has excellent access to transit lines. Also nearby are major medical & educational facilities, a variety of eateries, access to Wi-Fi while on campus, as well as an onsite Fitness Center. In addition to an exceptional benefits package, we also offer a complimentary Orca card while employed with Fircrest. You will enjoy being part of a great team and working in a residential setting on a beautiful 88-acre lot with a park-like atmosphere.
Start a career today at and join Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center our community of hard-working professionals. We offer competitive benefits, on-the-job training, meaningful work, and long-term, professional, and promotional growth opportunities. Note: This recruitment will be used to fill various positions and may also be used to fill any additional open positions.
Some of what you'll do:
- Provide specialized care, support, and training for residents with intellectual disabilities by implementing each individual's habilitation plan.
- Train and assist residents to maximize independent living skills in community awareness, safety, and personal care including bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, social behavior, and behavioral needs.
- Provide protective intervention with residents who have a dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and mental illness.
- Accompany and supervise residents ensuring health and safety of the residents to/from and during activities, community events, appointments, eating, and shopping.
- Able and willing to properly use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and follow all infection control policies and procedures.
What we are looking for:
- Effective communication skills.
- Strong work ethic.
- Ability to work positively with clients and team members.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Able to work holidays, weekends, or extended hours with short notice.
Who should apply?
Professionals who have a high school diploma/GED OR one year of experience working with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Additional information
- King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary and are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.
- Evening and Night shifts include a shift differential in addition to the standard compensation rate.
- Opportunities performed on-site at this work location at least three days a week may be eligible for an additional 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
Interested? Apply today!
Simply fill out our application and attach your resume and three references.
We need you to help us help others! If we have caught your eye, we want to hear from you!
Questions about job duties or Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center?
Contact: Krystal Link at 206-361-3461 and reference job number #09337
General questions about DSHS?
Please reach out to DSHS Recruiter Ricky Luna at ricky.luna@dshs.wa.gov
The Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.
Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at (360) 725-5810. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
Relationship and Reporting Structure (Nepotism) Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Direct Support Professional Jobs
Verify your role meets H-2B criteria
H-2B sponsorship requires the employer to prove the DSP need is temporary or seasonal. Ask prospective employers directly whether their staffing shortage is documented as temporary before investing time in the application process.
Pull prevailing wage data before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for Direct Support Professional roles in your target county. Employers must pay at least this rate under H-2B, so knowing the number protects you from underpayment offers.
Target residential care providers with PERM history
Group homes, intermediate care facilities, and nonprofit disability service organizations are the employers most likely to sponsor DSPs through EB-3 PERM. Prioritize employers with established HR departments over small single-site operators.
Find verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate's job board to identify employers with verified visa filing history for DSP and direct care roles. This cuts out guesswork and focuses your applications on organizations that have already navigated the sponsorship process.
Gather state certification documents early
Many states require DSPs to hold specific certifications like CPR, Medication Administration, or Crisis Prevention Intervention before hire. Collect and translate these credentials before PERM or H-2B filing begins, as employers need them for the labor certification.
Confirm your employer filed the DOL temporary labor certification
For H-2B, your employer must receive DOL temporary labor certification before USCIS can approve the I-129 petition. Ask for the certification receipt date so you can track the filing timeline and avoid gaps in your authorized work start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visas can Direct Support Professionals use to work in the U.S.?
DSP roles most commonly use H-2B visa for temporary or seasonal placements and EB-3 for permanent sponsorship through PERM labor certification. H-2B has an annual cap of 66,000 slots split across two half-year periods, so timing your employer's filing matters. EB-3 offers a permanent pathway but requires the employer to complete PERM before filing an I-140 petition with USCIS.
Does a Direct Support Professional role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
No. DSP positions do not typically require a bachelor's degree in a specific field, so they don't meet USCIS's specialty occupation standard for H-1B visa eligibility. Sponsorship for this role routes through H-2B for temporary need or EB-3 for permanent employment, both of which accommodate workers without a four-year degree requirement.
How long does EB-3 green card sponsorship take for a DSP?
The PERM labor certification stage alone typically takes several months after DOL receives the application. After PERM is certified, the employer files an I-140 with USCIS, and you then wait for a visa number to become available based on your priority date and country of birth. Workers born in countries with high demand, like India or the Philippines, often face longer backlogs than others.
Where can I find employers who sponsor Direct Support Professional visa roles?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified sponsorship filing history for DSP and direct care roles, searchable by location. This saves time compared to cold-applying to employers who may not have sponsored before or lack the administrative capacity to manage an H-2B or PERM filing.
Do DSP employers need to test the U.S. labor market before sponsoring a foreign worker?
Yes, for both H-2B and EB-3 PERM. Under H-2B, the employer must demonstrate to DOL that qualified U.S. workers are unavailable for the temporary role. Under PERM, the employer runs a formal recruitment process and documents that no qualified U.S. applicant was available. Employers who skip or mishandle this step face denial, so working with an experienced employer is essential.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Direct Support Professional jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.