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First Responder Counselor Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

As you progress, and hit important milestones within the first two years, the opportunity for ... Respond and manage client communication while working directly with internal departments to fulfill ...

As you progress, and hit important milestones within the first two years, the opportunity for ... Respond and manage client communication while working directly with internal departments to fulfill ...

As you progress, and hit important milestones within the first two years, the opportunity for ... Respond and manage client communication while working directly with internal departments to fulfill ...

As you progress, and hit important milestones within the first two years, the opportunity for ... Respond and manage client communication while working directly with internal departments to fulfill ...

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First Responder Counselor information

See Portland, OR salary details

$13

$26

$41

How much do first responder counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for first responder counselor in Portland, OR is $26.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.38 and $30.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a first responder counselor?

A First Responder Counselor provides mental health support to first responders, such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency personnel. They help address stress, trauma, and emotional challenges that arise from high-pressure and often traumatic situations. Their role includes crisis intervention, therapy, and developing coping strategies to improve mental well-being. Many First Responder Counselors have backgrounds in psychology, social work, or counseling and specialize in trauma and PTSD treatment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a first responder counselor?

To excel as a First Responder Counselor, you need a background in mental health counseling or social work, relevant licensure (such as LPC, LCSW, or LMFT), and specialized training in trauma or crisis intervention. Experience with case management software, electronic health records, and crisis assessment tools is typically required. Exceptional listening skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to communicate effectively with high-stress clients are vital soft skills in this field. These competencies ensure you can provide timely, effective support to first responders coping with occupational trauma, helping them maintain emotional wellbeing and job performance.

What types of situations or cases does a first responder counselor typically handle?

First Responder Counselors primarily work with police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel, helping them process acute stress, trauma exposure, and work-related mental health challenges. You may address issues such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout, often delivering both individual and group counseling sessions. Counselors frequently collaborate with HR departments, department leadership, and outside healthcare providers to ensure a comprehensive support network. The fast-paced nature of the role means you'll regularly respond to urgent requests while also maintaining ongoing therapeutic relationships. This rewarding role enables you to make a direct impact on the wellbeing and long-term resilience of those who serve on the front lines.

What are popular job titles related to First Responder Counselor jobs in Portland, OR? For First Responder Counselor jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for First Responder Counselor jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most First Responder Counselor job openings:
Infographic showing various First Responder Counselor job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,534 per year, or $26.7 per hour.

Crisis Counselor - Fully Remote in Eugene, OR

PROTOCALL SERVICES INC.

Portland, OR • Remote

$24.35 - $26.35/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Benefits
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and life insurance plans
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Short-term and long-term disability (STD/LTD) coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
  • Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) package, earning up to 4 weeks of vacation in your first year
  • Company-matched student loan repayment program
  • Opportunities for career growth and advancement
Education and Experience Requirements
  • Education Requirement:
    • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited 4 year college or university.
  • Experience Requirement:
    • Minimum of 1 year direct experience in Behavioral Health or Social Services
Location Requirement:
  • Fully Remote in Oregon
Who We Are:

Protocall Services is a national leader in crisis intervention, providing effective solutions and resources 24/7. Recognized nationally, Protocall has consistently received Top Workplace awards over the past five years, establishing itself as one of the top workplaces in the healthcare industry nationwide.

We are telephonic first responders for: Community Mental Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, Managed Behavioral Healthcare Organizations, college and university counseling centers, and Employee Assistance Programs. 

Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Protocall is a remote first organization that serves customers in the U.S and Canada with a team of fully-integrated professionals in select states across the US and Canada.

Who You Are:

You are a compassionate and empathetic professional with exceptional communication skills and the ability to actively listen and connect with others. You are comfortable communicating with individuals in various states of crisis, whether over the phone, via text, or through other methods of interaction, providing support with empathy and professionalism. You thrive in high-pressure, high-stakes environments, remaining calm and focused while employing effective crisis intervention techniques. Your solution-focused mindset, problem-solving abilities, and resilience enable you to navigate complex situations with patience and clarity.

You excel at multitasking, seamlessly managing intense calls while handling multiple tasks and navigating computer systems efficiently. A strong background in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related behavioral healthcare field is essential, and experience in crisis support or similar roles is highly valued.

Integrity and confidentiality are at the core of your work. You maintain the highest ethical standards and uphold privacy in every interaction. You have a secure, HIPAA-compliant workspace with a locking door which is a non-negotiable to ensure caller confidentiality and privacy. Additionally, you embrace Protocall’s fully remote work model, ensuring you have a stable, wired internet connection that directly connects to the work computer provided by Protocall. This setup must meet company standards to maintain the safety and trust of callers.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Maintain a secure, HIPAA-compliant private workspace at home to ensure focus and confidentiality.
  • Engage with individuals over the phone, providing support to those experiencing emotional distress or mental health challenges.
  • Build rapport and foster client engagement during calls.
  • Assess and mitigate risk while maintaining accurate, thorough documentation.
  • Provide resources, information, and referrals as needed.
  • Assist callers in identifying positive coping strategies and developing safety plans.
  • Intervene during emergencies when necessary.
  • Stay calm, professional, and focused while multitasking in a fast-paced environment.
  • This role is ideal for someone who is dedicated to making a positive impact, capable of navigating high-pressure situations, and committed to providing unwavering support to individuals in need.

What You Can Expect as a New Employee:

As part of Protocall’s 24/7/365 crisis call center, you must demonstrate flexibility in your availability, including a regular willingness to work holidays and weekends. This role begins with an intensive, paid six-week virtual cohort training program designed to refine your skills and ensure readiness for the role. During this time, you will develop your skills through various learning modalities, including book learning, group sessions, roleplay, and live call-taking. 

This training is an opportunity to enhance your abilities, fill knowledge gaps, and fully prepare you for your role as a telephonic first responder, delivering professional and compassionate support to individuals in crisis. In order to successfully complete this cohort training program, you are expected to develop fluency and demonstrate proficiency in key crisis care skills. Successful completion of this training is necessary for continued employment beyond this 6 week cohort training program.

Six Week Cohort Training Schedule: You will attend a regular Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM PST cohort training program for six weeks.

Post Cohort Training:  After successfully completing Cohort Training you will begin your regular schedule. This schedule is developed in partnership with Protocall’s Scheduling Department, during your Pre-Hire/Onboarding process.

ProtoCall Services Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different