Full-Time Chat Crisis Counselor (2nd Shift)

Location

Waterloo, IA | United States

Job description

Full-Time Chat Crisis Counselor (2nd Shift)

Reports to: Counseling Supervisor

Location: Remote, must reside in Iowa

Hours: Full time, Monday-Friday 3pm-11pm (Initial training sessions scheduled during daytime hours)

About Foundation 2 Crisis Services

Foundation 2 Crisis Services is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that provides critical crisis intervention and prevention services across Iowa. We operate a 24/7 crisis center, including phone, text, and chat services. We also operate an emergency youth shelter, mental health support groups, community-based crisis programs, training, and more. We have been saving lives for over 50 years. Join our team today!

Overview of the role

Provide real-time, compassionate, non-judgmental crisis support to clients over text and chat lines. Attend initial trainings (some will be during daytime hours) and all-staff meetings during daytime hours 1-2 times per month. Dispatch additional client services, such as Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ Mobile Crisis Outreach, when necessary. Document each text and chat contact to ensure quality record keeping.

Crisis counselors connect with people of all ages experiencing emotional distress or mental health crises over the phone, text, and chat. You have the opportunity to provide emotional support, connect clients with resources, and make a life-changing and life-saving difference. You can expect to be contacted by people in high-risk situations who may be actively suicidal.

Our crisis center counselors answer more than 70,500 phone, chat, and text contacts per year. You can learn more about the Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ crisis center and see what clients can expect when they reach out to Foundation 2 Crisis Services on our YouTube channel.

Full time, Monday-Friday 3pm-11pm (Initial training sessions scheduled during daytime hours.

Benefits

• This position starts at $18 per hour, plus our generous benefit package of $12,000 per year. Flexible benefit dollars can be used toward medical insurance and other benefits. Funds not used for benefits will be added to your paycheck as taxable income. Learn more here.
• $1,500 sign-on bonus
• Generous paid time off, including floating mental wellness days. Full time employees begin at four weeks paid time off per year.
• Quarterly wellness benefit reimbursements to support a sense of wellbeing.
• Two weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.
• Optional pet insurance to cover emergency expenses.
• Retirement plans with Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ matching contributions.
• Go to sleep at night knowing that the work you did matters. Foundation 2 Crisis Services staff save lives every day.

Who you are

• Client-centered. You are dedicated and passionate about working with individuals in crisis. You know it is an honor to be trusted to support people at their most vulnerable.
• Compassionate. You have compassion for clients and a willingness to understand and exercise trauma-informed care practices.
• Quick Thinking. You recognize that you will often have multiple irons in the fire at once and will be challenged to manage competing priorities.
• Skilled Communicator. Your words matter to individuals in crisis. You are a strong communicator and can convey important information clearly and compassionately.

What you’ll do

• Provide real-time, compassionate, non-judgmental crisis support to clients over text and chat lines.

• Attend initial trainings (some will be during daytime hours) and all-staff meetings during daytime hours 1-2 times per month.
• Dispatch additional client services, such as Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ Mobile Crisis Outreach, when necessary.
• Document each text and chat contact to ensure quality record keeping.

What you need

• Bachelor’s degree in human service or bachelor’s degree in any field or bachelor’s degree in related field with 30 hours of human service coursework.
• Or bachelor’s degree in any field plus one year of relevant experience.
• Comfort using basic computer software.
• Basic typing and data entry skills.
• High comfort with computers with ability to type quickly and multi-task.
• Excellent writing and grammar skills.
• Private home office to ensure confidentiality.
• Reliable, high-speed internet at home (Minimum 15 Mbps download speed / 5 Mbps download speed; write internet connection required) OR the ability to work all shifts from the Cedar Rapids office.
• Pass all background checks completed by Foundation 2 Crisis Services.
• Live in Iowa.
• Successfully complete required trainings within required time periods.
• Submit copy of college degree or transcript as required by licensure for personnel file.
• Successfully complete required trainings within required time periods.
• Experience in crisis services is preferred.
• Experience in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques preferred.
• Background in motivational interviewing preferred.
• Ability to clearly communicate emotional support to people in crisis preferred.
• Knowledge/experience working in the mental health, substance use, and/or problem gambling field preferred.

Your Application

We’re excited to hear from you! To join the Foundation 2 Crisis Services team, please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. No inquiries by phone. All questions will be answered during a pre-screening phone call. Resumes, applications, and cover letter accepted until position filled.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Foundation 2 Crisis Services, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Foundation 2 Crisis Services is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, political affiliation, veteran, or disability status.

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