Helpline Counselor

Helpline Counselor (Remote, Florida residents only)

Industry: Essential community services

Location: Fully remote in the state of Florida

Schedule: Full time, 40-hour permanent schedule TBD (you will be asked to provide preferences for your permanent schedule). Current highest need is for Monday - Friday, day shift and evening shift.

Compensation: $21.63 hourly wage, plus generous benefits package that includes 30+ paid days off and individual health insurance 100% sponsored by the employer (see below for details)

Summary of Mandatory Qualifications:

• Must be a Florida resident living within the state
• Strong preference for candidates completely fluent/bilingual in Spanish or Creole (in addition to English)
• Must be available remotely from 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday for eight (8) weeks of initial training to begin in late summer/early fall 2024
• Have at minimum an associate's degree from an accredited university
• Have four (4) years of combined education and relevant work experience (see below)
• Ability and interest in de-escalating callers experiencing crisis
• Ability to pass a level two (2) DCF background screening and a drug test

Full Job Description

About us: 211 Broward is a free, anonymous, 24-hour helpline offering listening support, information, referral, and crisis services. We provide every caller with a place to turn to when they need answers to life’s challenges--big or small--by connecting them with nearly 3,800 programs and services that are available in their area. We are a fast-paced crisis, information, and referral virtual call center that fills a critical need in the communities we serve.

About this position: We are seeking compassionate helpers who are knowledgeable, motivated, goal-oriented, technologically capable, and enthusiastic to fill multiple Helpline Counselor positions. Daily tasks include performing crisis/suicide intervention services, basic needs/safety assessments, and providing information, community service referrals, and supportive listening over phone or virtual chat.

We think the ideal candidate is someone who:

• Is willing and able to learn our approach to crisis counseling through training and experience
• Has demonstrated the ability to conduct self-care
• Shows compassion, empathy, and respect to people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Prefers to work autonomously once adequately trained
• Is motivated to grow and learn in the position through training and coaching
• Is passionate about assisting others and has a background in service
• Is technologically savvy and able to take notes while talking or listening

If this describes you, please read on!

Requirements

To be considered for this position, you must:

• Be a Florida resident residing within the state
• Be completely fluent/bilingual in Spanish or Creole (in addition to English) - strongly preferred
• Have a secure, quiet, and confidential work space with reliable internet
• Be free from caregiver responsibilities during work hours
• Be able to pass a level two (2) DCF background check and drug test prior to employment
• Meet or exceed our education requirement:
• A bachelor's degree (or higher) in psychology, human services, education, mental health, social work, early intervention, or a related field, coupled with one (1)+ years of experience in crisis and suicide intervention, counseling, therapy, and assessment techniques, or experience working in children's behavioral health, substance use, or the special needs system of care OR
• An associate's degree plus two (2)+ years of experience in suicide/crisis intervention or work in a call center
• Have a minimum typing speed of 30 WPM

• Be comfortable with a phone and virtual chat-based work environment
• Be available remotely from 9:00am to 5:00pm (Eastern time) Monday-Friday for eight (8) weeks of initial training to begin in late summer/early fall 2024 (hours will change to your permanent schedule once training is complete)

Benefits

We know satisfied employees are key to a thriving business. That is why we are pleased to offer:

• Full-time employment at an hourly pay rate of $21.63
• 100% employer-paid individual health, vision, dental, life, and short term disability insurances (coverage begins after 60 days of employment)
• Access to virtual mental health and therapy services through MyStrength with no co-pay
• Dependent health, vision, and dental plans available for purchase
• 403(b) ret