Crisis Line Counselor-Remote; Texas residents

Position: Crisis Line Counselor-Remote (for Texas residents only)

Crisis Line Counselor-Remote (for Texas residents only)

Brief Description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Crisis Line Counselor to join our team. This role provides vital skills in mental health and gives you the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life every shift. The Harris Center Crisis Line serves people with mental health or intellectual/developmental disability crises 24/7/365, offering immediate intervention and de‑escalation to prevent harm to self or others.

Counselors build rapport, use active listening and the crisis intervention model, assess callers with the Crisis Line Comprehensive Framework, collaborate on coping strategies, provide resources and referrals, and document calls promptly.

Your Role In Action

• Be ready and available to take calls during an assigned shift.
• Create connection, rapport, and empathy with callers.
• Apply active listening and crisis intervention skills.
• Use the Crisis Line Comprehensive Framework to assess calls.
• Collaborate with callers to explore and brainstorm options.
• Explain and offer appropriate resources and referrals.
• Handle calls and follow‑up throughout the shift.
• Document calls thoroughly during and shortly after calls.
• Make timely referrals as needed.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree.

Experience

• Customer service experience, preferably phone related.
• Completion of at least 200 hours of training covering telephonic customer service, crisis intervention theory, listening skills, call management, mental health issues, intellectual developmental disability issues, suicide and homicide risk assessments, Harris Center services and programs, community resources, and partnership information.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Typing speed of at least 40 words per minute.
• Ability to navigate several computer systems simultaneously.

Remote Qualifications

• Reliable, high‑speed internet with a direct ethernet connection.
• Private, quiet space free from household distractions.
• No family or childcare responsibilities during work hours.

About Us

The Harris Center is the state‑designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, it provides care to over 90,000 people with an annual budget of over $300 million. The organization operates 80 sites across Harris County and offers services in more than 40 languages and sign language to serve a diverse community.

Currently

Hiring For The Following Shifts

• Evening 3 p‑12 a Fri‑Tues
• Evening 5 p‑2 a Fri‑Tues
• Evening 7 p‑4 a Mon‑Fri
• Overnight 9 p‑6 a Thu‑Mon
• Overnight 11:30 p‑8 a Tue‑Sat
• Overnight 11:45 p‑8:15 a Sat‑Wed

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center offers a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package, a robust retirement plan with generous company matching, prior service credit for accelerated Paid Time Off accrual, cell phone discounts, entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, a free Headspace subscription, an Employee Assistance Program, and eligibility for student loan forgiveness programs.

Seniority level

Entry level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Health Care Provider

Industries

Mental Health Care, Hospitals and Health Care, Non‑profit Organizations

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