988 Contact Specialist - Full Time
About The Position
The Contra Costa Crisis Center strengthens our community by providing 24/7 services that prevent and reduce the impact of crisis. Through 988, 211, Grief Services, and coordinated partnerships with health and behavioral health systems, we connect people in need to compassionate care and life-saving support every day. The 988 Contact Specialist responds to calls, texts, and chats from individuals seeking emotional support, crisis counseling, or suicide prevention assistance. Working as part of a collaborative team in our 24/7 call center, Contact Specialists help people in distress feel heard, supported, and safely connected to appropriate resources. This position reports to the Shift Supervisor and/or Center Manager and requires an on-site presence in Walnut Creek, CA. This is a full-time, on-site position.
Requirements
- Commitment to working within Contra Costa Crisis Center’s Code of Ethics and organizational policies.
- Experience and demonstrated ability to work effectively with racially, culturally, and economically diverse populations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to apply the structure of a crisis call using transitional phrases.
- Proficiency with computers, databases, and online communication tools.
- Demonstrated personal accountability, emotional maturity, and team participation.
- Ability to direct callers to appropriate non–law-enforcement resources.
- Willingness to develop knowledge in trauma-informed care, grief and loss, mental health conditions, and boundary setting.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social welfare, counseling, or related field.
- Spanish language fluency (spoken and written).
- Flexible schedule with evening, weekend, and holiday availability.
Responsibilities
- Respond to 988 calls on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline & 988 CA Text Line platform.
- Provide compassionate, clinically informed crisis counseling to reduce distress and support caller safety.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation and uphold confidentiality standards.
- Respond to after-hours community lines as assigned.
- Build rapport with callers while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Collaborate with peers, volunteers, and supervisors to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Engage in ongoing training, supervision, and certification (including American Association of Suicidology requirements).
- Support and coach volunteer crisis counselors from a multicultural and inclusive perspective.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees including medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, LTD, paid vacation, holidays, sick time, and a 403(b) retirement plan.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
