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Crisis Text Line Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Lines for Life

Youth Crisis Line Team Lead

Portland, OR · On-site

$24 - $29.17/hr

A portion of each shift will be spent supervising youth volunteers and interns, and the remainder of the shift taking contacts via call, text, and chat on the YouthLine help, support, and crisis line.

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Crisis Text Line information

See Oregon salary details

$13

$21

$34

How much do crisis text line jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for crisis text line in Oregon is $21.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.32 and $23.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Crisis Text Line Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Crisis Text Line Counselor, you need strong active listening, emotional intelligence, and crisis intervention skills, often gained through relevant training or volunteer experience. Familiarity with secure chat platforms, confidentiality protocols, and sometimes certifications in mental health first aid are important. Compassion, patience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential soft skills for supporting individuals in distress. These abilities ensure effective support, help de-escalate crises, and promote the safety and well-being of those seeking help.

What is the difference between Crisis Text Line vs Crisis Counselor?

AspectCrisis Text LineCrisis Counselor
CredentialsTypically requires training in crisis intervention, active listening, and mental health awarenessRequires similar credentials, often including certifications in crisis intervention or mental health counseling
Work EnvironmentRemote, text-based support platformCan be remote or in-person, providing direct support to clients
Employer & IndustryNonprofit organizations, mental health services, crisis interventionHealthcare providers, mental health clinics, crisis centers

Both Crisis Text Line and Crisis Counselors focus on providing immediate mental health support, often requiring similar training and certifications. While Crisis Text Line offers remote, text-based assistance through a nonprofit platform, Crisis Counselors may work in various settings, including in-person environments. Both roles are vital in crisis intervention and mental health support services.

What are some common challenges faced by Crisis Text Line counselors, and how are these addressed within the organization?

Crisis Text Line counselors often encounter emotionally intense situations, such as supporting individuals in acute distress or crisis. This can sometimes lead to emotional fatigue or compassion fatigue. To help address these challenges, the organization provides extensive training before counselors begin their shifts, ongoing supervision, and access to mental health resources. Peer support channels and regular debrief sessions are also available to ensure counselors feel supported and can process their experiences in a healthy way.

What is Crisis Text Line and what does a Crisis Text Line counselor do?

Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential text messaging service that provides support to people in crisis. Trained volunteer counselors respond to texts from individuals who are experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or urgent situations. These counselors listen empathetically, help texters move from a hot moment to a cool calm, and connect them with resources if needed. The service is available 24/7 and aims to provide immediate support to anyone in need.
What are the most commonly searched types of Crisis Text Line jobs in Oregon? The most popular types of Crisis Text Line jobs in Oregon are:
What are popular job titles related to Crisis Text Line jobs in Oregon? For Crisis Text Line jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Crisis Text Line jobs in Oregon look for? The top searched job categories for Crisis Text Line jobs in Oregon are:
What cities in Oregon are hiring for Crisis Text Line jobs? Cities in Oregon with the most Crisis Text Line job openings:
Crisis Text Line jobs near you
Infographic showing various Crisis Text Line job openings in Oregon as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 50% In-person, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,538 per year, or $21.9 per hour.
Youth Crisis Line Team Lead

Youth Crisis Line Team Lead

Lines for Life

Portland, OR • On-site

$24 - $29.17/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Job Title: YouthLine Team Lead

Posting Title: Youth Crisis Line Team Lead

Status: Full-Time/Non-exempt, 40 or 32 hours per week

Reports to: YouthLine Managing Supervisor

Location: Portland, OR (working at multiple locations)

Youth Crisis Team Lead Compensation: $24 – 29.17/hour. See breakdown below. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance. Matching 401k, access to professional development funds, short- and long-term disability, licensure supervision at no cost to the employee, PSLF repayment, an employee assistance program, and a free Fitbit. Also, a $2/hr differential for employees who possess a Master's degree in a related field, a 2% differential for employees who live and work from Oregon, and a $1/hr. differential for hours worked in the office when regularly working in the office 3 days per week.


Youth Crisis Line Team Lead Schedule options:

40 hours per week: Will include 1 weekend day in office (Saturday or Sunday) and an optional remote day, includes weekly Flex Time.

32 hours per week: Will include 1 weekend day in office (Saturday or Sunday), benefits eligible, does not include weekly Flex Time.


Youth Crisis Line Team Lead Schedule: Must be available to regularly work between the hours of 12:30pm – 11:30 pm to accommodate the hours of operation for the YouthLine Call Center in Portland. Days of the week TBD but will include at least one weekend day each week. A portion of each shift will be spent supervising youth volunteers and interns, and the remainder of the shift taking contacts via call, text, and chat on the YouthLine help, support, and crisis line.


About YouthLine: YouthLine is a free peer-to-peer help, support, and crisis line for youth ages 10-24. For over 20 years, the YouthLine has helped support the mental wellness of young people, prevent youth suicide, and change culture around mental wellbeing through teen-to-teen mental health support. Teen and young adult volunteers and interns receive extensive training to serve as peer counselors for other youth and are supervised by educated clinicians with extensive crisis experience. The peer experience is critical: youth best understand the experience of their peers because they are living the same experience, uniquely situating them to provide meaningful, impactful support for youth in crisis.


Join us in creating a community where teens can lean on each other, find strength, and discover pathways to healing. Together, we can change lives—one conversation at a time!


Youth Crisis Line Team Lead Position Summary: This position will supervise, assist, and mentor YouthLine Peer Helpers and Coaching Volunteers between the hours of 3:30 PM – 10:30 PM with clinical support from a Master’s level Supervisor. YouthLine Team Leads oversee volunteers and interns answering acute crisis and referral calls, texts, and chats with care and compassion on the YouthLine, assist with quality assurance monitoring, and build community and positive relationships with youth focusing on inclusion and youth development. This position is primarily a mentorship and supportive role for the YouthLine youth volunteers but will answer crisis contacts daily outside of hours when youth volunteers and interns are present.

Youth Crisis Line Team Lead Responsibilities:

  • Demonstrate the culture of Lines for Life by modeling behavior that supports the goals and philosophies of Lines for Life and the YouthLine.
  • Provide in person assistance and support to teen peer volunteers with answering calls, texts, and chats on the YouthLine, a teen-to-teen crisis and help line, with compassion in accordance with Lines for Life’s training expectations and scope.
  • Consult with YouthLine Supervisors on complex calls, texts, and chats.
  • Establish rapport with YouthLine volunteers and callers, and act as a resource of knowledge and systems use for volunteers.
  • Collaborate with the Youth Development team on providing ongoing mentoring and development for youth volunteers and interns.
  • Maintain YouthLine contact procedures.
  • Establish and promote community and inclusiveness between youth volunteers and staff members by creating a welcoming, caring environment
  • Implement and follow all protocols and procedures for supporting youth who reach out to the YouthLine help, support, and crisis line.
  • Work independently in managing calls, texts, and chats that reach an acuity level that is more appropriate for staff than youth volunteers.
  • Troubleshoot and problem-solve various technology issues that arise in the YouthLine call center.
  • Answer calls, texts, and chats from youth contacts daily outside of hours when youth volunteers and interns are not present.
  • Identify appropriate, available resources that can be provided to contacts and support the efforts of the YouthLine.
  • Attend weekly and monthly meetings including, but not limited to: weekly individual supervision, weekly clinical supervision, bi-weekly Operations staff meetings, monthly YouthLine all-staff meetings, and monthly Lines for Life staff meetings.
  • Complete Flex Times tasks weekly when not supervising or taking contacts on the help, support, and crisis line.
  • Performs other duties, such as call center cleaning and light maintenance, and administrative and organizational tasks as needed.

Youth Crisis Line Team Lead Requirements

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a related social sciences field or ability to meet Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA) qualifications through a combination of training, education, and experience (https://mhacbo.org/media/QMHA.Worksheet_PDF.pdf).
  • Crisis Intervention Experience preferred and ability to attend YouthLine Trainings and an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) if not already completed.
  • Experience working with youth, including having the ability to establish rapport and mentor youth.
  • Consistently maintain boundaries with teen volunteers.
  • Proficient with a web-based computer environment, including the ability to use Office 365, text and chat software, multi-line phone systems, and electronic health records.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to mentor youth.
  • Ability to multi-task and handle stress.
  • Must be available to regularly work from the Portland office between the hours of 12:30pm – 11:30 pm. This position will work 5 or 4 days per week, but the days may vary based on the scheduling needs.


This is a union position with a step progression based upon years of service at Lines for Life, and below is the current step scale:

Compensation Information:

<3 years: $24.00

3-5 years: $25.20

5-7 years: $26.46

7-10 years: $27.78

>10 years: $29.17

*$2 increase per hour for Masters in related field, $1 per hour for LPC/LCSW or similar credentials.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

EEO: Lines for Life strives to create a diverse, inclusive environment to better represent the communities that we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer. Lines for Life shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. However, it shall not be a violation of this clause for Lines for Life to extend a publicly announced preference in employment to Indians living on or near an Indian reservation, in connection with employment opportunities on or near an Indian reservation, as permitted by 41 CFR 60-1.5.

All Lines for Life employees must be approved to work by the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Background Check Unit. Background checks are completed after a conditional offer of employment has been extended.


About the Organization: Lines for Life is a regional non-profit that is dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide. We offer help and hope to individuals and communities and promote mental health for all. Our work addresses a spectrum of needs that include intervention, prevention, and advocacy. We educate, train, and advocate to prevent issues of substance abuse, mental illness, and thoughts of suicide from reaching crisis levels. But when a crisis arises or support is needed, we are available 24/7/365 to intervene with personalized help.