Text Line Training Program Assistant

Application Deadline: 26 August 2025

Department: Crisis Services

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Oakland, CA

Compensation: $31.00 / hour

Description

Position SummaryThis role is part of the Training Team and will work closely with the Training Program Coordinators and the Training Program Manager. The Text Line Training Program Assistant position focuses on assisting the Training Program in training Text Line trainees but will also be responsible for training Crisis Line trainees as needed. This position aims to foster positive morale and motivation among these groups while supporting the agency's mission and goals. Additionally, it involves reviewing, designing, and implementing training materials and facilitating training sessions that adhere to best practice standards set by the American Association of Suicidology, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and 988/Vibrant.
Schedule Requirements This is a full–time (40 hours per week) position. This position must be available to work set days of Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Availability to work evenings to support training needs is required. Spending at least 8 hours weekly on-site is required. Schedule flexibility to accommodate specific training needs is required. Attendance at agency-wide staff meetings, consultation meetings, and bi-monthly and weekly Crisis Services Department and Training Team meetings is necessary. Weekly attendance of a 2 hour of Text Line Program Meeting is required on Thursdays from 2:10pm to 4pm. Two 4-hour Text Line shifts per week are required: Saturday 8am-12pm and Sunday 4pm-8pm. Schedule requirements may change in the future with no

Supervision The Text Line Training Program Assistant reports to the Training Program Manager, from whom they will receive at least 60 minutes of individual supervision per week. The Text Line Training Program Assistant will also attend a weekly collaborative 1-2 hour Training Team meeting. This position will also receive 1.5 hours of group consultation from the Text Line Program per week on Thursdays 5:30PM-7PM. This position is also strongly encouraged to attend all Staff Meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. This position will utilize consultation as needed. Meeting times are subject to change in the future with notice.
Level of Decision-MakingThe Text Line Training Program Assistant will support primarily with direct training of new volunteers and staff. This position will also support the selection, training, and supervision of trainers to assist in the training of new volunteers. The Text Line Training Program Assistant has the authority to provide feedback and coaching to trainees. This position has the authority to recommend programmatic needs and policies and procedures that improve, clarify, and support the Text Line program operation and quality assurance. In addition, the position can interview and accept volunteers into the training program and recommend termination of training and volunteer contracts to Text Line administration.

Typical Duties and Key Responsibilities

Program Standards

• Maintain and update training materials for consistency and current best practices/standards of care
• Develop and implement training classes that are appropriate for the Text Line Program
• Support and implement program-wide training of Text Line program standards, policies and procedures
• In collaboration with the Crisis Services Department Director, Program Managers and Coordinators, design and implement Text Line Program Standards in policy and protocols

Training

• Facilitate training classes for new staff and volunteer trainees via classes, Skills Practice sessions, and Shadow Shifts - including the selection and assignment of additional classroom facilitators to assist with training
• Participate in Shadow Shift training as needed for staff and volunteers
• Facilitate or ensure completion of any make-up training classes, Skills Practice Sessions, and Shadow Shifts as needed
• Oversee record-keeping on attendance
• Provide support to trainees throughout the training process and address any trainee concerns promptly
• Support in communicating with trainees about deadlines for asynchronous training (e.g., quizzes, reflection assignments)
• Utilize evaluation tools and gather feedback from participants for the evaluation of training classes and facilitators

Trainer Development and Support

• Support Shift Supervisors, Text Counselors, and volunteers in their roles as trainers
• Recruit and train