Chat Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 Monday and Wednesday from 5:00pm-1:30am, and Friday from 2:00pm-10:30pm PST, totaling 24 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.

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

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.

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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