Remote Crisis Intervention Specialist

Lines for Life • OR, US, OR

11d • $23 - $25 • Remote

About The Position

Lines for Life is a regional nonprofit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide and promoting mental health. Remote Crisis Intervention Specialists answer incoming contacts to the organization’s crisis and referral helplines with care and compassion, following each program’s scope. They receive extensive clinical skills training aligned with current best practices in suicide prevention and intervention. The role handles contacts across more than 30 lines and programs, including suicide prevention, veterans and military, youth, senior loneliness, alcohol and drug, hospital mental health, behavioral health scheduling, and county mental health crisis services.

This is a full-time, non-exempt telecommuting position. The work is conducted primarily in a home office and requires a private, HIPAA-compliant workspace, private high-speed internet, and use of a Windows-based PC. Candidates must pass clinical and technical evaluations. Crisis contacts are recorded and reviewed for safety, quality assurance, training, and supervisory feedback; supervisors may also listen in and provide support during challenging or high-risk contacts.

New hires complete five weeks of paid crisis lines onboarding: three weeks of weekday training from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, followed by two weeks of precepting with a schedule that may vary. Training requires full participation, being on camera over Zoom, and availability for the precepting schedule. The next training begins January 11, 2027.

The organization is hiring across the 50 states, excluding outer territories, and also offers an option to work directly in its Portland office. The crisis lines operate 24/7/365. Schedules are set at offer based on contact-volume trends; full-time employees must work at least one weekend shift per week, and some holidays are required. Shifts may occasionally run past the scheduled end time to finish calls and documentation. Starting pay is $25 per hour for candidates with a related graduate degree and $23 per hour for candidates with a bachelor’s degree. Oregon-based employees receive a 2% differential for hours worked in Oregon; eligible overnight hours receive a $2-per-hour differential, and holiday work is paid at time and a half.

The benefits package is valued at over $14,750 per year and includes employee health, vision, and dental premium coverage, full coverage of short- and long-term disability and life insurance premiums, a 401(k) match equivalent to 3% of annual salary after eligibility during the first two years of employment, a flexible spending plan, an employee assistance program, and a free Fitbit. Employment is subject to approval by the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Background Check Unit after a conditional offer.

Requirements

• Meet Qualified Mental Health Associate requirements.
• Have crisis intervention knowledge.
• Demonstrate strong empathy, communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Be able to handle high levels of stress.
• Be proficient in a web-based computer environment and multi-line phone system.
• Understand and be able to apply mental health assessment, treatment, and service terminology.
• Be able to implement skill development strategies and identify, implement, and coordinate services and supports identified in an Individual Service and Support Plan (ISSP).
• Be able to independently triage crisis contacts so lines remain available for contacts in escalated crisis.
• Demonstrate strong attendance and punctuality: consistently arrive on time, work full scheduled shifts, and provide at least two weeks’ notice for time-off requests or as soon as possible in an emergency.
• Be available to work some weekends and holidays, including at least one weekend shift per week for full-time employees.
• For remote work, have private high-speed internet and a confidential, HIPAA-compliant workspace; meet technical requirements and pass clinical and technical evaluations.
• Be able to participate fully in required onboarding, including variable precepting hours, and attend training on camera over Zoom.
• Be able to sit or stand and work at a computer for long periods, maintain high energy and patience, control emotions, and think analytically.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree in psychology, social work, or a behavioral science field; or CADC/bachelor’s degree in one of those fields plus relevant crisis intervention experience.
• Veteran status or experience; veterans are preferred.
• ASIST certification.
• CADC certification, strongly preferred.
• Experience in a call center environment.

Responsibilities

• Model behavior that supports Lines for Life’s goals and philosophies.
• Answer crisis helpline contacts compassionately and within the training expectations and scope of each program.
• Document crisis contacts accurately and promptly, including relevant clinical information, in an electronic health record system.
• Place follow-up calls to crisis contacts as scheduled by the shift supervisor.
• Assist with rescue calls when staff or volunteers on other crisis lines need emergency assistance during acute crisis contacts.
• Triage crisis contacts and collaborate with coworkers to manage contact flow and keep lines available for contacts in escalated crisis.
• Complete mandatory trainings and workshops to remain current on policies, protocols, and crisis intervention tools and techniques.
• Communicate effectively with peers and supervisors by phone and/or chat.
• Perform administrative and organizational tasks and other duties as needed.

Benefits

• Employee health insurance premium coverage
• Vision insurance premium coverage
• Dental insurance premium coverage
• Full coverage of short- and long-term disability insurance premiums
• Full coverage of life insurance premiums
• 401(k) plan with a match equivalent to 3% of annual salary after eligibility during the first two years of employment
• Flexible spending plan
• Employee assistance program
• Free Fitbit

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed