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Crisis Hotline Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Crisis Hotline information

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How much do crisis hotline jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for crisis hotline in Riverside, CA is $22.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.80 and $24.09 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a crisis hotline counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Crisis Hotline Counselor, you need strong active listening, crisis intervention, and problem-solving skills, often supported by relevant training or a background in psychology, social work, or counseling. Familiarity with call center software, documentation systems, and sometimes certifications such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) are commonly required. Emotional resilience, empathy, and the ability to stay calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for this role. These capabilities ensure effective support for callers in crisis and the timely provision of appropriate resources and interventions.

What do you need to work at a crisis hotline?

To work at a crisis hotline, candidates typically need strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to handle stressful situations. Many roles require training or certification in crisis intervention or mental health first aid, and some positions may require a background check or relevant experience. Availability for flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, is often necessary.

What is the difference between Crisis Hotline vs Crisis Counselor?

AspectCrisis HotlineCrisis Counselor
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; training providedOften requires certification or licensure; relevant degrees
Work EnvironmentCall centers, helpline centers, remote or in-personCounseling centers, mental health clinics, hospitals
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, mental health organizationsHealthcare providers, mental health agencies, clinics
Primary FocusProviding immediate emotional support via callsOffering ongoing mental health counseling and therapy

While both roles involve supporting individuals in crisis, a Crisis Hotline typically provides immediate assistance through calls, often with minimal formal credentials. A Crisis Counselor usually offers more in-depth, ongoing mental health support and may require specific certifications or licensure. Both positions are vital in mental health services but differ in scope, training, and work environment.

What is a crisis hotline worker?

A crisis hotline worker is a trained professional or volunteer who provides immediate support, information, and referrals to people experiencing emotional distress, mental health crises, or other urgent situations. They answer calls, texts, or chats from individuals seeking help, listen empathetically, assess the situation, and offer appropriate resources or interventions. Crisis hotline workers play a crucial role in suicide prevention, emotional support, and connecting people to mental health services, often serving as a lifeline during critical moments.

What are some common challenges faced by crisis hotline staff, and how are they supported in managing stress or emotional fatigue?

Crisis Hotline staff often encounter emotionally intense situations, including callers in acute distress or crisis. This can lead to compassion fatigue or secondary trauma over time. To help manage these challenges, many organizations provide regular debriefing sessions, access to mental health resources, and ongoing training in self-care and resilience techniques. Team members also typically support each other through peer supervision and collaborative problem-solving, helping to foster a supportive and understanding work environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Crisis Hotline jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Crisis Hotline jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Crisis Hotline jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Crisis Hotline jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Crisis Hotline jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Crisis Hotline jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Crisis Hotline jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Crisis Hotline job openings:

Infographic showing various Crisis Hotline job openings in Riverside, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,966 per year, or $22.6 per hour.

Licensed Clinician - Mobile Crisis Outreach Program Beaumont

hscfs

Beaumont, CA

$93K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

JOB SUMMARY: Sycamores is partnering with the 988 mental health crisis hotline to provide support to people experiencing a mental health crisis. The 988 hotline will provide initial phone support to all callers and triage calls to the Sycamores Mobile Crisis Outreach Program for in-person support. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Program responds 7 days a week from 7:30pm to 8:30am, broken down by flexible shifts. The Mobile Crisis Outreach Clinician will respond, in person, to provide timely support including crisis stabilization, safety planning, assessment for danger to self/ others, and gravely disabled write 51/50 holds as needed and provide follow up support. Utilizing the Mobile Crisis Outreach Program vehicle to respond to calls, this role co-responds with a Mobile Crisis Outreach Program Peer Support Specialist and is an integral part of the Sycamores larger Mobile Crisis Outreach Program including close partnership with the 988 call center, Riverside County Dispatch Center, police, sheriff, psychiatric hospitals and ambulance transport companies. 

The Mobile Crisis Outreach Department evaluates the individual experiencing a “mental health crisis” out in the field and takes measures to ensure the individuals safety (i.e., Evaluates if the individual requires involuntary hospitalization to ensure their safety). The Mobile Crisis Outreach Clinician takes the lead on care coordination and works collaboratively with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Program Peer Support Specialist to coordinate care i.e., locate hospitals, ambulances, housing, etc.). The Mobile Crisis Outreach Program responds to an individual’s need for in person evaluation for safety within specified geographical areas (i.e., Desert, Mid-County and Western Regions).

 

Starting Pay Range:

$93,150 - $100,136.25 per year for Full-Time employment (starting pay will be based on previous work experience and educational background.)

 

Shift Schedule: Sunday - Wednesday 6 pm - 4 am

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

  • Masters’ Degree in related field required.
  • Licensed in the State of California as LCSW, LMFT, LPCC or Psy. D/Ph.D. required. • Must maintain relevant licensure as a condition of employment.
  • 2 + years of successful licensure and experience preferred.
  • Attend and satisfactorily complete all trainings required by the Agency, federal, state and/or local regulations.
  • RUBHS experience preferred.
  • Maintains all required licenses and certifications.
  • As this position requires the driving of company vehicles for crisis intervention, including the provision of urgent or emergency services, driving is an essential function of this position. Candidate qualifications therefore include:
  • Valid California driver’s license.
  • Acceptable driving record as determined Agency policy.
  • Proof of auto insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  • The ability to physically manage and/or de-escalate consumers/residents.
  • Frequent driving to various work site locations.
  • Frequent/continuous intermittent standing/walking, occasional/intermittent sitting.
  • Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, squeezing, griping, and forward reaching between waist and chest level.
  • Reaching at or above shoulder level may be necessary.
  • Bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting, and climbing.
  • Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
  • Continuous use of near vision, hearing and verbal communication skills in handling telephone calls, interacting with consumers and co-workers and performing job duties.
  • Requires physical presence in the office during shift when not in the field.
  • Ability to practice physical intervention for safety of consumers according to training and policy.
  • Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
  • Frequent driving in the community with consumers.
  • Filling up gas tank of agency van, as needed.

 

All candidates who are presented with a conditional offer of employment must satisfy a pre-employment background check, drug, and health screen.

 

Sycamores is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

 

Further, Sycamores is a Fair Chance employer and complies with California Government Code Section 12952, Employment Discrimination: Conviction History.