988 Chat & Text Counselor

Didi Hirsch Brand•Los Angeles, CA

7d•Remote

About The Position

This is a fully remote position. The pay for this position is $24.00 per hour with a $3.00 overnight differential. The schedule is Friday and Saturday from 10:00am-6:30pm and Sunday from 2:00pm-6:00pm PST , totaling 20 hours per week. This role requires a three-week 40-hour per week training at the start of employment. Our work schedules are subject to change as necessary to meet the Agency’s and its client's needs. Reasonable notice is provided to facilitate personal planning. Ask us about loan repayment programs you may qualify for by working at Didi Hirsch. About Didi Hirsch Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch’s work possible. Summary As a Chat & Text Counselor, you will provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and resources to help-seekers through Crisis Chat and Text services. Operating in a fully remote capacity with an option to work on-site, you will play a critical role in delivering compassionate and effective support during moments of crisis. This position emphasizes maintaining high-quality standards in all interactions to ensure help-seekers receive the best possible care and guidance. By actively listening, assessing needs, and providing appropriate resources, you will make a meaningful impact on individuals seeking assistance.

Requirements

Minimum of six months of relevant behavioral health experience, with one year of experience in crisis intervention or suicide prevention strongly preferred.
Possess a high school Diploma or equivalent.
Be 18 years of age or older.
Possess strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to empathetically engage with any individual regardless of background, and demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence in the process.
Exceptional at multi-tasking and time management, able to drive multiple pieces of work forward simultaneously while meeting all deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to effectively use web-based platforms, electronic documentation systems, and communication tools, with strong typing and data entry skills required to accurately document interactions in real time.
Have high speed internet with an active Ethernet connection, and a quiet/confidential workspace.
Be empathetic, flexible, and adaptable to varying situations.
Have open availability and flexibility to work within the program’s operating hours, including weekends and holidays.
Be reliable and able to adhere to schedules based upon program needs.
Complete yearly required continuing education trainings.
Have knowledge of all job specific skills including safety assessment, data collection, and chat/text triage.
Goal-oriented team player with strong experience working in large and complex systems.
A commitment to team objectives and Didi Hirsch philosophies.
Successfully pass our pre-employment screening, including a background check and live scan fingerprinting.

Responsibilities

Offers crisis-counseling services via chat and text.
Completes risk assessment, safety planning, de-escalation, and follow-up with Chat/Text visitors.
Serves as a mandated reporter in cases of suspected abuse or neglect.
Is familiar with resources and providing information and referrals to visitors as appropriate.
Maintains accurate and detailed chat/text reports. Documentation must be completed in real time.
Responds to concurrent interactions in alignment with 988 Lifeline standards; accept overlapping interactions only when clinically appropriate.
Fulfills continuing education requirements as requested or required for the agency and the Suicide Prevention Center program.
Assists in the training process of new counselors.
Participates in community outreach events such as resources tables and presentation about suicide prevention as needed.
Attends routinely scheduled meetings for the Suicide Prevention Center.