Videophone Crisis Counselor [988 Videophone - Part Time]

988 Videophone Crisis Counselor Organization: DeafLEAD Job Type: Part-time, Hourly (non-exempt) Location: Remote Reports To: Videophone Program Manager Department: Videophone Crisis Services Start Date: December 1, 2025 Hourly Range: $17 to $21/hourly (See Compensation section below for more detail) Position/Organization Summary DeafLEAD is seeking an experienced and compassionate full-time 988 Videophone Crisis Counselor to join an exciting, supportive and engaging team. We are seeking an experienced and compassionate part-time (8-28 hours a week - per assigned schedule) crisis counselors to join an exciting, supportive, and engaging team that provides crisis intervention services to our Deaf/Hard of hearing community and ASL users. The crisis lines are the Deaf Crisis Line (DCL) and the 988 Videophone (988 VP). DCL provides emotional support to callers who are in distress as victims of crimes. The 988 Videophone provides emotional support to callers who are in distress from experiencing suicidal thoughts, ideation, desire, capability, intent, and other crisis. All lines also provide support to callers who struggle with their mental health, suicide, and more. DeafLEAD is a non-profit organization that provides crisis intervention services to Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Deaf+ individuals and their families within the state of Missouri and nationwide. Our mission is to promote the emotional and physical well-being of consumers in a safe and respectful environment utilizing a consumer-centered, trauma-informed approach. We are committed to providing a variety of services to effectively meet the changing needs within the Deaf community. These services include (but are not limited to): crisis intervention, safety planning, legal/medical/personal advocacy, case management, crisis videophone/text/chat/hotline services, mental health services, training, and interpreting. DeafLEAD offers crisis services 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Essential Functions • Follow DeafLEAD's policies and procedures • Believe in DeafLEAD's philosophy and goals as stated in Summary of Organization • Provide emotional support and crisis management services via the 988 Videophone (988 VP) • Develop action plans and safety plans with everyone who calls in the videophone lines • Notify child abuse services when appropriate • Notify emergency services for intervention when appropriate • Ensure documentation of all videophone calls is completed accurately and thoroughly • Attend quarterly evaluations with the Videophone Quality Assurance and Best Practice Team, and additional evaluations as needed • Attend all monthly team meetings • Attend on Zoom while on shift(s) when required • Successfully complete all Lifeline required training annually, as well as other training and certifications as assigned • Consult with On Call Supervisors, Managers, and Director as needed regarding questionable cases • Attend all monthly agency in-service meetings • Other duties as assigned Qualifications • Must complete all required crisis line trainings (minimum 100 hours) upon hire (see Training Section below) • American Sign Language (ASL) fluency is required • Minimum age of 18 • Bachelor's degree or higher in psychology, social work, or related field preferred, but not required • Previous experience working in crisis management or mental health preferred, but not required • Caring and empathetic person • Exceptional English writing and reading comprehension skills • Basic computer literacy, including proficiency in using essential software such as Zoom, Google Chrome, and standard office applications. Must be able to learn new technological tools efficiently • Ability to remain calm in crisis situations • An ability to work with people of various backgrounds and identities (e.g., race, color, gender, ability, religion, veteran status, etc.) • Must be able to pass a background check • Access to reliable internet and a desktop or laptop computer that can both utilize Zoom and a web browser simultaneously (Google Chrome recommended). • Applicants must have access to a private, secure workspace that ensures confidentiality, privacy, and freedom from external distractions Training • Must complete a minimum of 100 hours of required crisis line training upon hire and attend all sessions without any conflicting commitments. • Training is Monday-to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM CST. Upon hire, a more detailed training agenda will be provided prior to the start of the training period. Compensation/Benefits • $17 to $21 hourly • Shift differentials are paid for hours worked between 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM as well in the amount of $4.00 extra on top of base hourly pay. • Health, vision, and dental insurance (Full Time Only) • 401(k) retirement (Salaried Only) • Paid Time Off (PT and FT) • External hires typically start between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range, based on education, qualifications, internal equity, and budget availability. This position is supported through a federal award, and continued employment is contingent upon the availability of this funding. Schedule/Time Commitment Candidates will choose the schedules they're available for, and based on that, they'll be assigned a shift. After training, they'll be expected to work the schedule they were given. Candidates must be able to meet the posted schedule and attend required shifts and meetings (meetings may occasionally be outside your normal shift hours). Occasional flexibility in your schedule may be required to ensure crisis line coverage. Schedule 1: 20 HOURS Sunday: Off Monday: 3p-7p Tuesday: 3p-7p Wednesday: 3p-7p Thursday: 3p-7p Friday: 3p-7p Saturday: Off Schedule 2: 24 HOURS Sunday: 3a-7a, 7a-11a Monday: OFF Tuesday: OFF Wednesday: OFF Thursday: OFF Friday: 3a-7a, 7a-11a Saturday: 3a-7a, 7a-11a Schedule 3: 16 hours Sunday: OFF Monday: 7p-11p Tuesday: 7p-11p Wednesday: 7p-11p Thursday: 7p-11p Friday: OFF Saturday: OFF Schedule 4: 16 hours Sunday: OFF Monday: 11p-3a Tuesday: 11p-3a Wednesday: 11p-3a Thursday: 11p-3a Friday: OFF Saturday: OFF Technology Requirements Technology requirements will be discussed in detail upon hire. Work Environment Collaborative Virtual Workspace: DeafLEAD crisis line counselors work shifts on Zoom alongside fellow counselors and shift supervisors to foster connection, engagement, and support. Camera Requirement: During training and while on shift, staff are expected to be on camera to actively participate and engage with their peers. Since DeafLEAD fosters an inclusive environment for Deaf and hard-of-hearing staff, maintaining clear visibility on camera is important for communication. Distraction-free space: Staff should work in a dedicated, private workspace with the ability to appear on camera without the use of virtual backgrounds and free from background noise, visual distractions, and interruptions to ensure full engagement with chats, texts, and team interactions. This means working in a private space where conversations cannot be overheard and where movement, flashing lights, or other visual distractions are minimized. DeafLEAD is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. This role requires empathy, adaptability, and cultural awareness, particularly in supporting employees who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Deaf+. Confidentiality and Nondisclosure of Trade Secret As a condition of employment, DeafLEAD employees are required to protect the confidentiality of DeafLEAD trade secrets, proprietary information, and confidential commercially sensitive information (e.g. financial or sales records/reports, marketing or business strategies/plans, product development, customer lists, patents, trademarks) related to DeafLEAD. Access to this information should be limited to a "need to know" basis and should not be used for personal benefit, disclosed, or released without prior authorization from management. If you have information that leads you to suspect that employees are sharing such information in violation of this policy and/or competitors are obtaining such information, you are required to inform DeafLEAD's PEO partner. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination and may subject the violator to civil liability. Inventions Any invention created, in whole or in part, during your work hours, or from the use of equipment or facilities belonging to DeafLEAD and its PEO partner, is a "work for hire" and is the property of DeafLEAD. If you intend to develop and maintain property rights to any invention that relates in any way to products or services of DeafLEAD, you are required to obtain a written waiver of this policy, signed by both you and the CEO of DeafLEAD. DeafLEAD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. DeafLEAD hires remote candidates in the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CO, DC, FL, GA, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NV, NJ, NM, NC, NY, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, VT. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job