A nonprofit organisation in New York is hiring full-time Habilitation Counselors for $19.62–$21.39 an hour, with visa sponsorship potentially available to qualified candidates, plus health insurance, retirement benefits and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
People looking for a career in disability services and social care in the United States have an opportunity to consider in Plattsburgh, New York.
The Advocacy and Resource Center is hiring a full-time Habilitation Counselor to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential setting.
The position pays $19.62–$21.39 per hour and includes a range of benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, parental leave and a retirement plan with an employer match.
Most notably for international applicants, the organisation says it is a CAP-exempt employer and may provide visa sponsorship for qualified candidates.
Visa sponsorship available for qualified candidates
The Advocacy and Resource Center explicitly states that it is a CAP-exempt employer and may provide visa sponsorship for qualified candidates.
This could make the position particularly interesting to international professionals seeking employment in the United States.
CAP-exempt employers can be relevant to certain H-1B applicants because some employers are not subject to the standard annual H-1B cap.
However, being a cap-exempt employer does not mean that every position or applicant automatically qualifies for H-1B sponsorship.
Candidates should confirm the exact visa category, eligibility requirements and sponsorship arrangements directly with the employer before making immigration or relocation plans.
Salary: $19.62–$21.39 an hour
The advertised pay range is $19.62–$21.39 per hour for full-time employment.
Assuming a 40-hour working week over 52 weeks, that would be equivalent to approximately:
- $19.62 an hour: $40,810 per year
- $21.39 an hour: $44,491 per year
These are annualised gross figures based on a standard 40-hour week and are not guaranteed annual salaries.
The organisation also offers shift differentials for evening, overnight and weekend shifts, which could increase actual earnings for employees working those schedules.
The position is specifically advertised with an overnight shift, so candidates should ask about the applicable differential before accepting an offer.
What is a Habilitation Counselor?
A Habilitation Counselor provides direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them develop greater independence and participate in everyday life.
In this position, the successful candidate would work in a residential setting and help adults with activities such as:
- Daily living skills
- Household routines
- Recreational activities
- Community outings
- Community integration
- Individualised support services
- Behavioural support
- Therapeutic activities
The role also involves collecting information about clients’ progress and documenting services provided during each shift.
It therefore combines direct care, behavioural support, documentation and community-based activities.
What are the job responsibilities?
The Habilitation Counselor would be expected to:
- Provide direct support to adults with developmental disabilities
- Assist with activities of daily living
- Help with household tasks
- Support community-based activities
- Participate in recreational outings
- Collect behavioural and progress data
- Maintain accurate documentation
- Conduct structured therapeutic activities
- Complete RBT training
- Attend psychiatry appointments when necessary
- Provide additional behavioural support
- Complete daily service documentation
- Help plan and provide activities and services
The position can therefore be a good fit for someone interested in disability services, behavioural support, social work or community care.
Bachelor’s degree required
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in one of several relevant fields.
The employer lists:
- Psychology
- Special Education
- Social Work
- Sociology
A minimum of six months of full-time experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is preferred.
The experience is listed as preferred rather than an absolute requirement.
For international candidates, it may be worth confirming whether an overseas degree must undergo a credential evaluation before employment.
RBT training included
The position includes Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) training as part of the responsibilities.
RBT training can provide employees with additional experience in behavioural support and working with people with developmental disabilities.
Candidates interested in building a career in behavioural health, disability services or social care may therefore find the role useful as a professional development opportunity.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Another potentially valuable feature of the job is that the Advocacy and Resource Center qualifies as a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
For eligible U.S. borrowers, employment with a qualifying public-service organisation can potentially count towards PSLF requirements.
This could be particularly valuable to candidates carrying eligible federal student loans.
However, PSLF eligibility depends on the borrower’s specific loans, repayment plan, employment status and other federal requirements.
Applicants should verify their individual eligibility through the U.S. Department of Education rather than assuming that employment alone will result in loan forgiveness.
Benefits package
The organisation advertises a broad benefits package.
Benefits include:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Paid time off
- Vacation time
- Parental leave
- Life insurance
- Cancer insurance
- Retirement plan
- Employer retirement match
- Shift differentials
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
- Potential visa sponsorship for qualified candidates
The employer also says benefits are available for the position as part of its overall compensation package.
Overnight work
The position is listed as an overnight shift.
Applicants should consider whether overnight residential support is suitable for them before applying.
The employer says shift differentials are available for evening, overnight and weekend shifts, potentially providing additional compensation beyond the base hourly rate.
Candidates should confirm the exact differential and typical overnight schedule with the organisation.
Physical requirements
The role involves hands-on support and has several physical requirements.
Candidates must be able to:
- Bend
- Twist
- Kneel
- Climb stairs or ladders
- Lift up to 50 pounds
The job also requires a clean and valid New York State driver’s licence.
Computer proficiency is required because employees must maintain detailed documentation of daily services and behavioural observations.
These requirements are important for international applicants because obtaining a New York driver’s licence may be necessary before beginning the role.
Where is the job located?
The position is based in:
Plattsburgh, New York
Plattsburgh is located in northern New York, near the Canadian border.
The cost of living may differ significantly from larger New York metropolitan areas, so applicants considering relocation should compare local housing, transportation, taxes and other living expenses with the advertised hourly pay.
Who should apply?
The position could be suitable for people with academic backgrounds in:
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Special Education
It may also appeal to professionals with experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The employer prefers candidates with at least six months of full-time experience working with the I/DD population.
Strong documentation and communication skills are also important because the job involves recording behavioural observations, interventions and progress towards individual goals.
What international applicants should check
Candidates outside the United States should investigate the immigration and employment requirements carefully.
Important questions include:
- Which visa category will the organisation sponsor?
- Does the specific Habilitation Counselor position qualify for sponsorship?
- Why is the organisation considered CAP-exempt?
- Who pays immigration and legal fees?
- Does the employer sponsor candidates already outside the United States?
- Will an overseas Bachelor’s degree need credential evaluation?
- Is a New York driver’s licence required before starting?
- What overnight shift differential is available?
- Are there guaranteed weekly hours?
- What training is provided for RBT certification?
- What benefits are available immediately?
- Does the organisation assist with relocation?
These questions can help international applicants determine whether the position is a realistic pathway to U.S. employment.
How much could a Habilitation Counselor earn?
At the advertised maximum rate of $21.39 an hour, a 40-hour work week would produce annualised gross earnings of approximately $44,491.
At $19.62 an hour, the equivalent would be approximately $40,810.
Employees working eligible evening, overnight or weekend shifts may receive additional shift differentials.
The actual annual income will depend on the employee’s schedule, hours worked, differentials and other factors.
Is this a good opportunity for international applicants?
The position is not a high-paying U.S. job compared with specialist healthcare or professional roles.
Its main attraction for international applicants is the potential visa sponsorship combined with employment in a nonprofit organisation that is described as CAP-exempt.
The benefits package also adds value, particularly the retirement plan with employer matching, health coverage, paid leave and potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying U.S. borrowers.
For someone who wants to build a career in disability services, behavioural support or social care, the role could provide a route into the U.S. sector while offering additional training and professional experience.
The bottom line
The Advocacy and Resource Center is hiring a full-time Habilitation Counselor in Plattsburgh, New York, paying $19.62–$21.39 an hour.
The role involves supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a residential environment and assisting with daily living, behavioural support, therapeutic activities and community integration.
The organisation offers health, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, parental leave, life insurance, retirement benefits with an employer match and shift differentials.
For international applicants, the most notable feature is that the organisation says it is a CAP-exempt employer and may provide visa sponsorship for qualified candidates.
The position also qualifies as a Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, potentially providing an additional benefit for eligible U.S. borrowers.
Applicants need a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Special Education, Social Work or Sociology, while experience working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is preferred.
For candidates interested in disability services and seeking an employer that may offer visa sponsorship, this is an opportunity worth investigating — although applicants should verify the exact immigration pathway and eligibility requirements before making relocation plans.
Job location: Plattsburgh, New York
Position: Habilitation Counselor
Pay: $19.62–$21.39 per hour
Employment: Full-time
Visa sponsorship: Potentially available for qualified candidates
Employer: CAP-exempt
Degree: Bachelor’s in Psychology, Special Education, Social Work or Sociology required
Experience: Six months with the I/DD population preferred
Shift: Overnight
Loan benefit: Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer
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