INTERNAL: Part-Time and Full-Time Crisis Line Responder

(Start Date for Part-Time is early November)

Overview The Vancouver Island Crisis Society (VICS) is seeking applicants for Part-Time and Full-Time Crisis Line Responder positions. As an organization, we remain committed to trauma-informed, inclusive, and person-centered care. This position reports to the Crisis Line Supervisor and/or Crisis Line Services Manager.

Highlights of this Opportunity

Are you passionate about supporting individuals in crisis with empathy, compassion, and nonjudgmental care? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, supportive environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others? We are seeking applicants for Part-Time and Full-Time Crisis Line Responder positions, available on-site in Nanaimo or remotely.

- Remote Crisis Line Responders must be situated on Vancouver Island. They will need to have their own desktop or laptop computer, which meets VICS technology requirements, as shown below.

- On-Site Crisis Line Responders must work within commuting distance to Nanaimo at the Vancouver Island Crisis Society's Centre.

Primary Responsibilities

- This role involves routinely supporting individuals in crisis, including those experiencing distress who may exhibit anger or suicidal ideation, as well as navigating challenging situations involving vulnerable individuals including calls involving risk of harm to children.

- Answering Calls: Be the first point of contact for individuals seeking help, providing immediate support through voice and SMS communication channels

- Non-Judgmental Emotional Support and Crisis Intervention: Offer compassionate assistance, helping service users through assessment, problem-solving, and resource exploration working within defined Crisis Intervention Models

- Thorough Assessment of Suicide Ideation: Conduct careful evaluations to identify and address any indications of suicide ideation, planning, or attempts in progress.

- Implementing Active Rescues: Take decisive action to initiate interventions when necessary to ensure the safety of individuals in crisis.

- Maintaining Familiarity with Vancouver Island Communities and Resources: Stay informed about local resources, particularly Mental Health and Substance Use Crisis Response Services, to provide accurate and relevant information to those in need.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Characteristics:

· Flexibility: Ability to work flexible hours on a monthly rotational schedule, including weekends and overnights.

· Team Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team setting, valuing diverse perspectives and experiences.

· Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills in English,



both written and spoken. Proficiency in additional languages is an asset and highly encouraged.

· Empathy and Non-Judgment: Reliable, non-judgmental, and empathetic approach to work, with a commitment to respecting and valuing individuals from all backgrounds.

· Technical Proficiency: Basic computer literacy, with support provided for learning and adapting to new technologies and platforms.

· Crisis Management: Ability to handle stressful situations and make decisions promptly, maintaining calm and composure under pressure.

· Criminal Record Check: Passes a police record check that includes vulnerable sector screening, ensuring the safety and security of our service users.

· Educational Requirement: High school diploma or equivalent, and a minimum age of 19 years. Relevant experience or additional education in social services, mental health, or a related field considered an asset.

Standard Technology Requirements for Working Remotely

- Private space to take interactions while ensuring confidentiality, where only the Crisis Line Responder's device should be connected to the Internet during a shift

- PC Desktop or Laptop (Windows 11 or higher)

MAC Desktop or Laptop (macOS 11 Big Sur or greater)

Chromebook (tablets and smart phones do not meet criteria)

- Browser recommendations: A current, supported version of Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox that supports TLS 1.2 or higher.

- Test your Internet connectivity to determine if your setup meets the minimum speed requirement of 50Mbps for downloads and 10Mbps for uploads.

- If you have concerns about meeting the technology requirements, we encourage you to reach out to discuss possible solutions.

Assets:

- A post-secondary education in a related field considered an asset. We equally value lived experience, community involvement, and related work experience.

- Completion of a crisis intervention course that includes suicide risk assessment

- Prior completion of Crisis Line, Crisis Chat and Crisis Text training

- Completion of the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop

- Previous Crisis Line Responder experience

Hours of Work:

- Full-Time Crisis Line Responders are typically scheduled 32 to 40 hours per week, averaging approximately 35 hours per week.





- Part-Time Crisis Line Responders are typically scheduled 20 to 24 hours per week, generally over three days.

- Typical shifts include, but are not limited to: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 4:00 pm to 12:00 am 12:00 midnight to 8:00 am

- Overnight shifts are part of the regular schedule. Full-Time employees typically work approximately one overnight shift per week, while part-time employees typically work 1 to 3 overnight shifts per month. A $3.00 per hour shift differential is paid for overnight hours.

Hourly Wages and Benefits:

- The starting wage is $27.00 per hour, or $29.00 per hour for employees who are already cross trained on both the PHSA and 9-8-8 systems. There is a three-month probationary period. After successfully completing probation, employees who are not already cross trained may have the opportunity to complete cross training on both systems, increasing their wage to $29.00 per hour.

- Full-Time employees are eligible for employer paid extended health benefits following successful completion of six months of employment.

- The starting wage is $27.00 per hour, or $29.00 per hour for employees who are already cross trained on both the PHSA and 9-8-8 systems. Employees who are not already cross trained may have the opportunity to complete cross training on both systems, increasing their wage to $29.00 per hour.

- Full time employees are eligible for employer paid extended health benefits following successful completion of six months of employment.

- Full Time employees receive 84 hours of paid sick leave and 70 hours of vacation annually, prorated based on their regular hours of work. Part Time employees also receive paid sick leave and vacation, prorated based on their regular hours of work.

- After one year of employment, Full-Time employees are eligible for an employer contribution to the Group Retirement Savings Plan equal to 3% of gross earnings, excluding periods of extended leave.

In our words and actions, we are committed to recognizing and addressing the challenges faced by individuals experiencing inequities, while acknowledging our own privileges. We continuously work to identify and remove biases and barriers within our recruitment and hiring processes to create an equitable and inclusive environment for all candidates. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out, and we will do our best to support you.

Please submit resume and cover letter by August 28th at noon. Please direct any questions to: [email protected]

Our services are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakiutl Peoples.

📌 INTERNAL: Part-Time and Full-Time Crisis Line Responder (Vancouver Island)
🏢 Vancouver Island Crisis Society
📍 Vancouver Island