988 Lifeline Counselor

Reports to: 988 Lifeline Manager

Staff Direct Reports: None

Job Type: Part-time and full-time opportunities are available (20 hours/week to 40 hours/week), with regularly scheduled hours. Scheduled shifts range from 4 to 8 hours each, and are scheduled throughout the day, as this is a 24/7 service. Lifeline Counselors working between 9AM and 9PM are required to work in the Mental Health Minnesota office, while Lifeline Counselors working between 9PM and 9AM are remote positions.

PLEASE NOTE: Presently, we are seeking candidates to cover the 9am-9pm, in-office, hours only. We are not hiring for remote work at this time.

Position Summary: 988 Lifeline Counselors are responsible for responding to texts and online chats coming into the Mental Health Minnesota’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Center, which provides counseling, resources and support for those seeking help from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Lifeline Counselors will be responsible for utilizing crisis chat and text services to provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and resources to all help-seekers.

Primary Duties:

• Offer crisis-counseling services via chat and text
• Complete safety/risk assessment, safety planning, de-escalation, and follow-up with chat/text users
  
• Provide information and referrals as needed and appropriate
• Maintain accurate and detailed chat/text reports (documentation must be completed in real time)
• Complete 1.5 chats/texts per hour (on average)
• In consultation with a supervisor, provide crisis intervention response as needed
• Fulfill continuing education requirements as requested or required for the organization and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  
• Attend routinely scheduled meetings for 988 Lifeline staff

Education and Experience: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline responds to individuals experiencing a crisis and/or suicidal ideation, so the ideal candidates will have employment or volunteer experience in crisis services, suicide prevention or mental health services. Experience using text or online chat response is a plus. Candidates must be comfortable with the use of technology, including email, data entry and cloud-based services. 50 hours of training is provided and is paid time for new 988 Lifeline staff, and must be completed within the first 21 days of employment. New hires must adhere to the schedule initially agreed upon for a period of no less than 90 days.

Salary and Benefits: The starting wage for these positions is $21.50/hour. A pay differential of $2/hour is available for overnight staff (those working 1AM to 9AM). A pay differential of $1.50/hour is also available for staff who work full-time (at least 160 hours per month). Benefits include an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), additional pay in lieu of insurance, generous paid time off and Earned Sick and Safe Time, 401(k) match, free parking, easy access to mass transit, and more.

Mental Health Minnesota is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.