[Hiring] Crisis Support Specialist @The Opportunity Alliance

Role Description

The Opportunity Alliance is hiring Full-Time Crisis Support Specialist(s) to join the team with our Maine Crisis Line (MCL) program. Apply today to join our extraordinary team, helping individuals and families experiencing a mental health crisis. You will learn how to answer calls and text/chat messages on the crisis line, with the option to do all of this remotely! You will have opportunities for growth and development, and the skills you learn in this job will be valuable for any career path.

The Maine Crisis Line is part of our continuum of crisis intervention and stabilization services, providing 24-hour telephone response for adults, families, and children during a mental health crisis. This role offers invaluable experience to candidates with a background in social work, excellent communication skills, the ability to remain calm in stressful situations, and a genuine desire to help others.

As a Crisis Support Specialist, you will:

• Work to build rapport with help seekers by showing empathy and creating a safe, non-judgmental space.
• Complete risk assessments to ensure the safety and well-being of callers experiencing a crisis.
• Develop crisis stabilization plans with callers, utilizing clinical support to ensure the implementation of the least invasive interventions possible, prioritizing their well-being and autonomy.
• Work collaboratively with community partners and service providers to ensure comprehensive support and continuity of care for individuals in crisis.

You will receive training to become certified as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Crisis Service Provider (MHRT/CSP) from some of the best licensed clinical supervisors and certified in-house trainers in the State of Maine.

Schedule: This is a full-time, 40 hours/week position. Hiring for multiple 2nd shift and weekend schedules.

• 2nd shift
• Weekend; Friday - Monday, 10 hour shifts
• Various schedules available and will be discussed in the interview process.

Location: Office is located in South Portland, but this position has the ability to work remotely (in Maine). Must have the ability to attend an in-person orientation in South Portland.

Qualifications

• An Associate’s degree is required.
• One year of relevant experience is preferred, but not required. Relevant experience is identified as follows: work performed in a behavioral health or human services setting, can also be as a paid volunteer or as a student/intern and includes crisis work, child protective services, warm line volunteer, residential care, case management, special education or work with people with developmental disabilities.
• This position is fully remote, requiring a dedicated workspace that is quiet and free from distractions. The employee must have reliable high-speed internet access.
• Ability to earn the MHRT-CSP certification within 30 days of employment required – training onsite provided required.
• Must have solid oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, succinctly, and in a customer friendly manner.
• Previous experience working in a call center, customer service environment a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information to address challenging situations.
• Ability to become familiar with DSM-V information.
• Must demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn and understand the use of documentation software and resource applications proficiently enough to perform documentation while simultaneously engaging with clients on the phone.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Normal office conditions such as sitting, with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and lifting up to 10 pounds.

Requirements

• The ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• A flexible schedule is required.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primarily and essential job responsibility.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off accrual.
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year.
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost.
• Dental and Vision insurance options.
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances.
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible).
• Tuition Reimbursement – offered once per year through an application process.
• The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.