Crisis Support Specialist (Day & Swing Shifts)

Crisis Connections; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Crisis Connections in Seattle, WA seeks a Crisis Support Specialist to deliver compassionate, telephone-based crisis support to residents of King County and WA state. This full-time, on-site role will transition to remote work by July 2027, with day and swing shifts to cover peak times.

You will follow crisis-line protocols, document accurately in the electronic health record, supervise volunteers, and coordinate with clinicians to connect callers with mental health resources.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor's degree preferred.
• Understanding of public mental health systems, resources, and procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to remain professional, compassionate, and effective while handling crises.

Responsibilities

• Answer Regional Crisis Line calls and provide compassionate, trauma-informed crisis support.
• Follow established crisis-line protocols and clinical guidance.
• Monitor call demand and respond promptly to help the team meet service expectations.
• Collaborate with Crisis Services Clinicians, volunteers, and other team members.
• Maintain accurate, professional, and nonjudgmental documentation in the electronic health record.
• Support volunteer phone workers with crisis calls, resources, and documentation.

Skills

Calm under pressure

Trauma-informed communication

Verbal and written communication

Team collaboration

Crisis intervention

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in social sciences preferred

Tools

EHR/documentation

Job description

Description

Crisis Support Specialist

Location: Seattle, WA (Belltown Area)

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor of Crisis Services

Job Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Schedule: Day and Swing shifts available

Pay: $27.33/hour

Union: OPEIU represented

IMPORTANT: This position will begin onsite in Seattle and will transition to remote work no later than July 2027.

Make a Difference When It Matters Most

At Crisis Connections, every conversation is an opportunity to help someone find support, stability, and hope.

As a Crisis Support Specialist, you'll provide compassionate, telephone-based crisis support to people throughout King County and Washington State. You'll join a team committed to making crisis services accessible to everyone while helping our Regional Crisis Line respond effectively to changing call volumes and community needs.

This is a meaningful opportunity for someone who communicates calmly under pressure, understands behavioral health resources, and wants to directly support people experiencing challenging moments.

What You'll Do

• Answer Regional Crisis Line calls and provide compassionate, trauma-informed crisis support.
• Follow established crisis-line protocols and clinical guidance.
• Monitor call demand and respond promptly to help the team meet service expectations.
• Connect callers with appropriate mental health and community resources.
• Maintain accurate, professional, and nonjudgmental documentation in the electronic health record.
• Support volunteer phone workers with crisis calls, community resources, documentation, and phone-room processes.
• Review volunteer documentation for quality and completeness.
• Collaborate with Crisis Services Clinicians, Crisis Intervention Specialists, volunteers, and other team members.
• Participate in supervision, training, and professional development, including ASIST suicide-prevention training.

Requirements

What You'll Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent required. A bachelor's degree in the social sciences is preferred.
• Understanding of public mental health systems, resources, and procedures.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to remain professional, compassionate, and effective while handling crises.
• Reliability and the ability to work collaboratively while seeking clinical guidance when appropriate.
• Ability to use multiple computer applications while working in an environment with moderate noise and distraction.

*** Because of the nature of crisis-line work, this position involves regular conversations concerning suicide, mental health challenges, and crisis situations.

Onsite and Remote Work Requirements:

This position will start onsite in Seattle. Crisis Support Specialist positions will transition to remote work no later than July 2027. Candidates should be prepared to meet the requirements for remote work once that transition occurs.

For remote work, employees must have:

• High-speed internet with a minimum of 50 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload speeds.
• A reliable, secure internet connection. Mobile hotspots are not permitted.
• A smartphone with the ability to download and use a multi-factor authentication (MFA) application.

Why Crisis Connections?

Crisis Connections is dedicated to fostering resilience and wellbeing by connecting people with accessible, compassionate support. We value the different experiences, cultures, perspectives, and expertise our employees bring to serving our communities.

• Learn more about employee benefits and support here: https://crisisconnections.org/get-involved/careers/benefits/

Crisis Connections is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law. If you're ready to use your communication skills, compassion, and knowledge of behavioral health resources to support people when they need it most, we encourage you to apply for the Crisis Support Specialist role.