Internship Warm Line Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Join a Team That Believes in the Power of Lived Experience

The Washington Warm Line provides compassionate, peer-to-peer emotional support to individuals across Washington State. Grounded in recovery, hope, and mutuality, our Warm Line offers a welcoming space where people can connect with someone who understands the challenges of mental health recovery through lived experience.

We are seeking a Peer Shift Mentor to help support callers, mentor volunteers, and strengthen our growing statewide peer support program. This role combines direct peer support, leadership, coaching, and collaboration within a recovery-oriented environment dedicated to supporting both callers and volunteers.

If you are passionate about peer support, recovery, and helping others grow, we encourage you to apply.

Why This Role Matters

As a Peer Shift Mentor, you will serve as both a Warm Line responder and a support resource for volunteers during shifts. You will play a key role in fostering a welcoming, trauma-informed, and recovery-centered environment while helping ensure volunteers feel supported, prepared, and successful in their important work.

This position offers an opportunity to use your lived experience to make a meaningful impact on individuals across Washington State while helping strengthen a vital peer support service.

Compensation & Schedule

Starting Wage: $27.33 per hour

Schedule:

• Saturday: 1:30 PM - 9:30 PM
• Sunday: 1:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Union Position; This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement. Wages, benefits, and working conditions are governed in accordance with the applicable union contract.

Work Location: Seattle, WA

Key Responsibilities

Direct Peer Support

• Respond to incoming Warm Line calls using peer support principles and recovery-oriented practices.
• Provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support based on shared understanding and lived experience.
• Create a welcoming and supportive environment for callers.

Volunteer Support & Mentorship

• Support, mentor, and coach volunteers during assigned shifts.
• Provide debriefing and emotional support following challenging calls.
• Assist in onboarding and supporting new volunteers.
• Participate in role-play exercises and volunteer training activities.

Quality & Program Support

• Review call documentation and participate in quality assurance processes.
• Support adherence to Warm Line policies, procedures, and peer support standards.
• Help maintain a positive, collaborative, and recovery-focused culture.

Crisis Support

• Serve as a support resource during elevated-risk calls and coordinate with designated supervisors and crisis staff according to Warm Line protocols.
• Support volunteers in following established procedures while maintaining a peer-centered approach.

Team Collaboration

• Collaborate with leadership, staff, and volunteers to maintain an effective and supportive program.
• Participate in team meetings, training opportunities, and ongoing program development initiatives.

Requirements

• Certified Peer Counselor (CPC) in Washington State, or the ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire. [Completion of Certified Peer Support Specialist Training as defined by Washington Administrative Code (WAC 246-929-130).]
• Ability to meet Washington State Health Care Authority requirements for peer counselor recognition.
• Strong communication, active listening, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm, supportive, and collaborative in emotionally challenging situations.
• Commitment to peer support values, recovery principles, person-centered support, and mutual respect.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing peer support in behavioral health, crisis services, warm lines, recovery programs, or community-based settings.
• Experience mentoring, training, coaching, or supporting volunteers.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented practices.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to provide constructive feedback and support learning in others.

Supervision, Training & Professional Development

The WA Warm Line is committed to supporting the growth and success of its staff.

Peer Shift Mentors receive:

• Regular clinical supervision through monthly individual supervision sessions with the WA Warm Line Manager. 
• Ongoing coaching and support.
• Regular performance feedback and development planning.
• Three performance evaluations annually.
• Individualized training and professional development planning.

Benefits

Crisis Connections offers a competitive benefits package designed to support employee well-being.

Eligible part-time employees receive benefits that include medical and vision insurance. Dental insurance is available to eligible full-time employees.  To learn more about our benefits offerings, please visit: Benefits 

About Crisis Connections

Crisis Connections connects people in emotional, physical, and financial crisis to services that support health and well-being. Through programs including the Washington Warm Line, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 211, and other community-based services, we help individuals and families throughout Washington State access support when they need it most.

Our Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

Crisis Connections believes that recovery is possible and that lived experience is a powerful asset in supporting others. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences feel welcomed, respected, and supported.

We strongly encourage people with lived experience of mental health recovery, substance use recovery, and other life challenges to apply.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a skilled peer supporter who combines empathy with leadership. They enjoy helping others learn and grow, can provide calm and steady support during difficult situations, and are passionate about advancing recovery-oriented services through mentorship, collaboration, and shared lived experience.

If you believe in the transformative power of peer support and want to help build a stronger community of connection and recovery, we would love to hear from you.