Crisis Counselor (Full-time) 1st Shift

Foundation 2; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Hybrid work options

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Foundation 2 Crisis Services seeks a compassionate crisis counselor to provide real-time support through phone, text, and chat. You will screen for safety risks, follow crisis protocols, and participate in daytime trainings and team meetings.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s in human services and have strong writing and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage confidential data from a home office or Cedar Rapids office.

Qualifications

• Residency in IA/IL/WI required or allowed to work remotely within these states.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field with 30 hours of coursework.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, EHR, and web tools.
• Able to type quickly, multitask, and maintain accurate records.
• Strong written communication and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide real-time crisis support via phone, text, and chat.
• Assess suicide risk and safety concerns using established protocols.
• Attend daytime trainings and monthly all-staff meetings.
• Document every contact to maintain quality records.

Skills

Compassionate communication

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Multitasking

Strong written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services

30 hours of human service coursework

Tools

Microsoft 365

Electronic Health Records

Google Chrome

Job description

About Foundation 2 Crisis Services

Foundation 2 Crisis Services is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that provides critical crisis intervention and prevention services across Iowa. We operate a 24/7 crisis center, including phone, text, and chat services. We also operate an emergency youth shelter, mental health support groups, community-based crisis programs, training, and more. We have been saving lives for over 50 years. Join our team today!

Our crisis center counselors answer more than 90,000 phone, chat, and text contacts per year. You can learn more about the Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ crisis center and see what clients can expect when they reach out to Foundation 2 Crisis Services on our YouTube channel.

Overview of the role

Provide real-time, compassionate, non-judgmental crisis support to clients over the phone, text, and chat lines. Attend initial trainings (some will be during daytime hours) and all-staff meetings during daytime hours 1-2 times per month. Dispatch additional client services, such as Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ Mobile Crisis Outreach, when necessary. Document each phone, text, and chat contact to ensure quality record keeping.

Many of the contacts you’ll answer involve individuals experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm, or the aftermath of trauma, violence, or abuse. You won’t take these alone; a Supervisor is available for in-the-moment consultation and support, especially during high-risk calls.

The position has the flexibility to be hybrid at the Crisis Center in Cedar Rapids or remote within the state of Iowa, Wisconsin, or Illinois; candidates must be available for two (2) full days of training in our Cedar Rapids office.

Shifts Available

Friday – Tuesday, 8am- 4pm

$1,000 Sign-on Bonus

Benefits

• This position starts at $18.00/hour

• The Crisis Center offers shift differentials on top of your hourly wage:

• 1st/Day Shift (8am – 3pm)
• Saturday & Sunday: $0.75/hour
• 2nd/Evening Shift (3pm – 10pm)
• Mon-Thurs: $0.50/hour
• Friday & Saturday: $5.00/hour
• Sunday: $0.75/hour
• 3rd/Overnight Shift (10pm – 8am)
• Sun-Thurs: $1.00/hour
• Friday & Saturday: $5.00/hour

• Generous paid time off, including floating mental wellness days.

• Quarterly wellness benefit reimbursements to support a sense of wellbeing.

• Two weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child.

• Optional pet insurance to cover emergency expenses.

• Retirement plans with Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ matching contributions.

• Go to sleep at night knowing that work you did matters. Foundation 2 staff save lives every day.

• Quarterly wellness benefit reimbursements to support a sense of wellbeing.

• Go to sleep at night knowing that work you did matters. Foundation 2 Crisis Services staff save lives every day.

Who you are

• Client-centered. You are dedicated and passionate about working with individuals in crisis. You know it is an honor to be trusted to support people at their most vulnerable.

• Compassionate. You have compassion for clients and a willingness to understand and exercise trauma-informed care practices.

• Quick Thinking. You recognize that you will often have multiple irons in the fire at once and will be challenged to manage competing priorities.

• Skilled Communicator. Your words matter to individuals in crisis. You are a strong communicator and can convey important information clearly and compassionately.

• Resilient. You can stay grounded and present through difficult or high-stakes moments, and you know how to draw on your team and your own coping tools to sustain the work over time.

What you’ll do

• Provide real-time, compassionate, non-judgmental crisis support to clients through our cloud-based phone system.

• Screen every contact for suicide risk and other safety concerns, and respond calmly to crisis situations that may include suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or disclosures of abuse, violence, or trauma, following Foundation 2’s crisis intervention protocols.

• Attending initial trainings (some will be during daytime hours) and all-staff meetings during daytime hours 1-2 times per month.

• Dispatch additional client services, such as Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ Mobile Crisis Outreach, when necessary. Document each chat contact to ensure quality record keeping.

What you need

• Live in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin

• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field with 30 hours of human service coursework OR bachelor’s degree in any field plus one (1) year of relevant experience.

• Proficient with computers and software including Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Word, etc.), Google Chrome, and Electronic Health Records.

• Able to type quickly, multi-task, and perform accurate data entry.

• Strong written communication skills with excellent grammar and attention to detail.

• Private home office to ensure confidentiality.

• Reliable, high-speed internet at home (Minimum 50 Mbps download speed / 15 Mbps upload speed; wired internet connection required) OR the ability to work all shifts from the Cedar Rapids office.

• Pass all background checks completed by Foundation 2 Crisis Services.

• Live in Iowa.

• Successfully complete required trainings within required time periods.

• Submit copy of college degree or transcript as required by licensure for personnel file.

• Experience in crisis services is preferred.

• Experience in conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques preferred.

• Background in motivational interviewing referred.

• Ability to clearly communicate emotional support to people in crisis preferred.

• Knowledge/experience working in the mental health, substance use, and/or problem gambling field preferred.

Your Application

We’re excited to hear from you! To join the Foundation 2 Crisis Services team, please email your resume and cover letter to [e-mail]. No inquiries by phone. All questions will be answered during an initial virtual interview. Resumes, applications, and cover letter accepted until position filled.

Foundation 2 Crisis Services is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.