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988 Chat & Text Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Statewide Chat/Text Crisis Specialist

Alton, IL · On-site +1

$20.05 - $28.10/hr

This position will answer statewide 988 chat/texts and conduct. As a part of this team, you'd be ... Answer crisis contacts via Zoom contact center or the chat/text platform to assess for suicide ...

This position will answer statewide 988 chat/texts and conduct. As a part of this team, you'd be ... Answer crisis contacts via Zoom contact center or the chat/text platform to assess for suicide ...

Crisis Counselor

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$24.90 - $29.88/hr

Crisis Counselor - Call / Chat / Text (Onsite Only) Make a Difference When It Matters Most Are you ... Participate in ongoing training, including 988 crisis response certification ✅ What We're Looking ...

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988 Chat Text Counselor information

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How much do 988 chat & text counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for 988 chat & text counselor in the United States is $14.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.02 and $16.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the 988 Chat & Text Counselor position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 988 Chat & Text Counselor, you need a background in mental health, counseling, or social services, with strong crisis intervention and active listening skills. Familiarity with chat and texting platforms, confidential record-keeping software, and certifications like Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) or equivalent are often desired. Compassion, resilience, and excellent written communication are standout qualities for this position. These skills are vital to effectively support individuals in crisis, maintain a calm and nonjudgmental presence, and ensure accurate documentation of sensitive interactions.

What is a 988 Chat & Text Counselor job?

A 988 Chat & Text Counselor provides crisis support through text and online chat for individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or mental health challenges. They assess risk, provide emotional support, and offer resources to help individuals in crisis. Counselors use active listening, de-escalation techniques, and crisis intervention skills to guide texters and chatters toward safety and support. This role is part of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a national service aimed at providing immediate, confidential help.

What does a typical shift look like for a 988 Chat & Text Counselor, and how is the work structured?

As a 988 Chat & Text Counselor, you will typically work assigned shifts that may include evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays to ensure 24/7 coverage for those in need. During each shift, you will handle multiple real-time chat or text conversations, provide emotional support, and assess the safety and needs of individuals in crisis. Counselors generally work independently but have access to on-call supervisors and collaborate with a team for complex cases or when arranging emergency interventions. This role demands focused, compassionate engagement, with opportunities for debriefing and ongoing training to support your well-being and professional growth.

More about 988 Chat Text Counselor jobs
What cities are hiring for 988 Chat & Text Counselor jobs? Cities with the most 988 Chat & Text Counselor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of 988 Chat & Text Counselor jobs? The most popular types of 988 Chat & Text Counselor jobs are:
What states have the most 988 Chat & Text Counselor jobs? States with the most job openings for 988 Chat & Text Counselor jobs include:
Infographic showing various 988 Chat & Text Counselor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 4% Summer. Highlights an 91% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,158 per year, or $15 per hour.
988 Chat & Text Counselor

988 Chat & Text Counselor

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$24/hr

Part-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

988 Chat & Text Counselor (Olympic Suicide Prevention Center)

This is a fully remote position. The pay for this position is $24.00 per hour with a $3.00 overnight differential. 

The schedule is Wednesday-Sunday from 10:00am-2:00pm PST, totaling 20 hours per week.

This role requires a three-week 40-hour per week training at the start of employment. 

Our work schedules are subject to change as necessary to meet the Agency’s and its client's needs. Reasonable notice is provided to facilitate personal planning. 

Ask us about loan repayment programs you may qualify for by working at Didi Hirsch. 

About Didi Hirsch 

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch’s work possible. 

Summary

As a Chat & Text Counselor, you will provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and resources to help-seekers through Crisis Chat and Text services. Operating in a fully remote capacity with an option to work on-site, you will play a critical role in delivering compassionate and effective support during moments of crisis. This position emphasizes maintaining high-quality standards in all interactions to ensure help-seekers receive the best possible care and guidance. By actively listening, assessing needs, and providing appropriate resources, you will make a meaningful impact on individuals seeking assistance.

Primary Duties

  • Offers crisis-counseling services via chat and text.
  • Completes risk assessment, safety planning, de-escalation, and follow-up with Chat/Text visitors.
  • Serves as a mandated reporter in cases of suspected abuse or neglect.
  • Is familiar with resources and providing information and referrals to visitors as appropriate.
  • Maintains accurate and detailed chat/text reports. Documentation must be completed in real time.
  • Responds to concurrent interactions in alignment with 988 Lifeline standards; accept overlapping interactions only when clinically appropriate.
  • Fulfills continuing education requirements as requested or required for the agency and the Suicide Prevention Center program.
  • Assists in the training process of new counselors.
  • Participates in community outreach events such as resources tables and presentation about suicide prevention as needed.
  • Attends routinely scheduled meetings for the Suicide Prevention Center.

Position Requirements

  • Minimum of six months of relevant behavioral health experience, with one year of experience in crisis intervention or suicide prevention strongly preferred.
  • Possess a high school Diploma or equivalent.
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Possess strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to empathetically engage with any individual regardless of background, and demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence in the process.
  • Exceptional at multi-tasking and time management, able to drive multiple pieces of work forward simultaneously while meeting all deadlines.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively use web-based platforms, electronic documentation systems, and communication tools, with strong typing and data entry skills required to accurately document interactions in real time.
  • Have high speed internet with an active Ethernet connection, and a quiet/confidential workspace.
  • Be empathetic, flexible, and adaptable to varying situations.
  • Have open availability and flexibility to work within the program’s operating hours, including weekends and holidays.
  • Be reliable and able to adhere to schedules based upon program needs.
  • Complete yearly required continuing education trainings.
  • Have knowledge of all job specific skills including safety assessment, data collection, and chat/text triage.
  • Goal-oriented team player with strong experience working in large and complex systems.
  • A commitment to team objectives and Didi Hirsch philosophies.
  • Successfully pass our pre-employment screening, including a background check and live scan fingerprinting.
Our Vision

A future where everyone has equitable access to care and is empowered to achieve optimal mental health and well-being.

Our Mission

Didi Hirsch 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. 

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