**Experienced Crisis Counselor – Chat & Text Support Specialist**

At arenaflex, we are dedicated to providing compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice limit access. As a leading national organization, we have been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and are home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. Our mission is to empower everyone to achieve optimal mental health and well-being, and we are seeking an experienced Crisis Counselor to join our team. **About arenaflex** arenaflex is a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. With a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable, we have over 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers making our work possible. Our core values of Excellence, Diversity & Inclusion, Equity, Well Being, Advocacy, and Community Engagement guide our work and ensure that we are providing compassionate and excellent care to those who need it most. **Job Summary** As a Crisis Counselor – Chat & Text Support Specialist, you will play a critical role in delivering compassionate and effective support to individuals seeking assistance through our Crisis Chat and Text services. Operating in a fully remote capacity with an option to work on-site, you will provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and resources to help-seekers. This position emphasizes maintaining high-quality standards in all interactions to ensure help-seekers receive the best possible care and guidance. **Primary Duties** • Offers crisis-counseling services via chat and text, providing a safe and supportive space for individuals to share their concerns and receive guidance. • Completes risk assessment, safety planning, de-escalation, and follow-up with Chat/Text visitors, ensuring that individuals receive the support they need to navigate crisis situations. • Serves as a mandated reporter in cases of suspected abuse or neglect, upholding our commitment to the safety and well-being of our clients. • Is familiar with resources and provides information and referrals to visitors as appropriate, empowering individuals to access the support they need. • Maintains accurate and detailed chat/text reports, documenting interactions in real-time to ensure that our services are delivered with the highest level of quality and care. • Completes 1.5 chats/texts per hour (on average), meeting the demands of our fast-paced and dynamic environment. • Fulfills continuing education requirements as requested or required for the agency and the Suicide Prevention Center program, staying up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in crisis counseling. • Assists in the training process of new counselors, sharing your expertise and experience to ensure that our team is equipped to deliver exceptional care. • Participates in community outreach events such as resources tables and presentations about suicide prevention as needed, raising awareness and promoting our services in the community. • Attends routinely scheduled meetings for the Suicide Prevention Center, collaborating with our team to advance our mission and goals. **Position Requirements** • Possess a high school Diploma or equivalent, with a strong foundation in crisis counseling and mental health services. • Be 18 years of age or older, with a commitment to upholding the highest standards of care and compassion. • Have high-speed internet with an active Ethernet connection, and a quiet/confidential workspace, ensuring that you can focus on delivering exceptional care. • Be empathetic, flexible, and adaptable to varying situations, with a strong ability to navigate complex and dynamic environments. • Have open availability and flexibility to work within the Chat/Text program’s operating hours, including weekends and holidays, ensuring that we can provide 24/7 support to our clients. • Be reliable and able to adhere to schedules based upon Chat/Text program needs, upholding our commitment to delivering exceptional care and service. • Complete yearly trainings as required by arenaflex, staying up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in crisis counseling. • Have knowledge of all job-specific skills, including risk assessment, data collection, and chat/text triage, ensuring that you can deliver high-quality care and support. • Possess strong interpersonal skills and can positively interact with others, upholding our commitment to delivering exceptional care and service. • Have outstanding communication skills with the ability to engage any individual regardless of background, ensuring that our services are accessible and inclusive. • Exceptional at multi-tasking and time management, able to drive multiple pieces of work forward simultaneously while meeting all deadlines. • Goal-oriented team player with strong experience working in large and complex systems, upholding our commitment to delivering exceptional care and service. • A commitment to team objectives and arenaflex philosophies, ensuring that you are aligned with our mission and values. **Our Vision** A future where everyone has equitable access to care and is empowered to achieve optimal mental health and well-being. **Our Mission** arenaflex provides compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice limit access. **Core Values** • Excellence: We are constantly innovating, learning from the communities we serve, and applying the latest research to advance best practices. We uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure we are providing compassionate and excellent care. • Diversity & Inclusion: We value diversity of background, experience, and ideas. We celebrate differences and prioritize creating a sense of belonging. • Equity: We are dedicated to promoting health equity in our communities, and we work to dismantle disparities and discrimination within both systems of care and society. • Well Being: We are devoted to the well-being of our staff, volunteers, and communities, and believe healthy teams lead to healthy clients. • Advocacy: We advocate across all levels of government and use our voice to reduce barriers to care with the goal of access to high-quality, integrated healthcare for all. • Community Engagement: We build partnerships in the community and across sectors to create a more inclusive and responsive mental health ecosystem and enhance greater accessibility to care and support. **Compensation and Benefits** • Competitive hourly rate of $24.00 per hour, with a $3.00 overnight differential for evening and night shifts. • Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan. • Opportunities for professional growth and development, including training and education programs to enhance your skills and expertise. • A supportive and inclusive work environment, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. **How to Apply** If you are a compassionate and dedicated individual who is passionate about delivering exceptional care and support to individuals in crisis, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please submit your application, including your resume and a cover letter, to our online portal. We look forward to reviewing your application and welcoming you to our team! Apply for this job