Remote Crisis Intervention Specialist – 988 Suicide & Mental Health Chat/Text Response (Overnight Shift, Sunday–Thursday)

About arenaflex

arenaflex is a forward-thinking behavioral health organization recognized nationally for transforming lives through compassionate, evidence-based mental health care. With a dedicated team of thousands of professionals working across diverse care settings, arenaflex serves individuals, families, and communities of every age and background. Our reputation is built on a foundation of clinical excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity.

As a certified trauma-informed organization, arenaflex embraces a culture rooted in understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of trauma. This philosophy strengthens resilience not only for the clients we serve but also for our staff and the communities we touch. Every policy, every protocol, and every interaction at arenaflex reflects this commitment to creating safe, supportive environments where healing becomes possible.

Joining arenaflex means becoming part of a dynamic, well-established organization that invests in its people, champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, and continually pushes the boundaries of what compassionate mental health care can achieve.

Position Summary

We are hiring a dedicated Remote Crisis Intervention Specialist to join our 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline team. This is a critical, life-saving role focused on mental health crisis intervention and suicide prevention delivered through chat and text platforms. Working as part of a 24/7/365 virtual care team, you will provide brief clinical screenings, comprehensive risk assessments, and appropriate service linkage for individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal ideation, or acute psychiatric crisis.

While the primary mode of engagement is online through chat and text, you may also support telephonic intervention when individuals prefer or require voice-based support to ensure safety. This position operates remotely on a first-shift overnight schedule, Sunday through Thursday from 2:00 AM to 10:30 AM, with Fridays and Saturdays off.

If you are passionate about crisis intervention, skilled in written communication, and driven by the mission of saving lives, arenaflex wants you on our team.

Key Responsibilities

• Crisis Contact Engagement: Answer incoming crisis contacts via the 988 chat and text platform, responding with empathy, clinical precision, and timeliness to individuals experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.
• Clinical Screenings and Risk Assessments: Conduct telephonic or chat-based clinical screenings and suicide risk assessments using validated tools and trauma-informed frameworks to determine appropriate levels of care.
• Service Linkage and Referrals: Identify and connect individuals with community resources, mental health programs, and support services that best meet their unique needs, ensuring warm handoffs whenever possible.
• Safety Planning and Follow-Up: Conduct structured follow-up calls for individuals assessed as moderate to high risk for suicide, monitoring safety, providing continued support, and adjusting interventions as needed.
• Multimodal Support Delivery: Transition seamlessly between chat, text, and telephonic intervention based on individual preference and clinical need, ensuring continuity of care.
• Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate, timely documentation of all interactions in compliance with organizational policies, accreditation standards, and ethical guidelines governing crisis intervention.
• Continuous Learning: Actively participate in ongoing supervision, clinical training, professional development opportunities, and team meetings to enhance skills and stay current on best practices in suicide prevention and crisis intervention.
• Administrative Support: Assist with administrative tasks and special projects as needed to support team operations and organizational goals.
• Cultural Competence: Deliver services with sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, honoring each individual's unique circumstances.
• Quality and Safety: Adhere to arenaflex's strong culture of quality and safety, modeling best practices for clinical risk management and patient safety.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Written and Verbal Communication: Exceptional ability to communicate effectively via written chat, text, in-person, and virtual methods, demonstrating clarity, warmth, and professionalism.
• Customer Service Excellence: High-level customer service skills and professional etiquette, with a focus on creating positive, supportive interactions during moments of acute vulnerability.
• Resource Navigation: Demonstrated knowledge and competency in providing service linkage and referrals for mental health programs, crisis services, and community-based resources.
• Suicide Assessment Expertise: Working knowledge of suicide risk assessment frameworks, safety planning interventions, and evidence-based crisis response protocols.
• Crisis Intervention Skills: Proven skill in providing de-escalation, crisis stabilization, and brief clinical interventions in high-pressure situations.
• Technology Proficiency: Comfort working with digital platforms, multi-line communication systems, and electronic health records in a remote environment.
• Emotional Resilience: Capacity to manage the emotional demands of crisis work, including vicarious trauma, while maintaining personal well-being and professional boundaries.
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team, contributing to a culture of mutual support and shared learning.
• Independent Judgment: Strong decision-making skills and the ability to exercise sound clinical judgment autonomously during high-stakes interactions.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related field; OR
• Current certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) or equivalent peer support credential.

Preferred Experience

• Six months to one year of experience in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, mental health services, or a related field.
• Prior experience working on a crisis hotline, suicide prevention lifeline, or similar 24/7 service platform is highly valued.
• Experience with remote or virtual service delivery is a plus.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to pass background check and credentialing verification.
• Reliable high-speed internet connection and a private, professional remote workspace.
• Availability to work the designated overnight shift, Sunday through Thursday, 2:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting: Approximately 90% of the workday
• Standing: Approximately 10% of the workday
• Squatting, Kneeling, Bending: Occasional
• Driving: Occasional
• Lifting: Occasional

Note: This position is primarily remote and sedentary in nature, with occasional physical tasks as needed.

Compensation

arenaflex offers a competitive hourly pay range of $19.10 to $26.80, commensurate with education, experience, and credentials. We are committed to compensating our team fairly for the critical, life-saving work they perform every day.

Comprehensive Benefits Package

At arenaflex, we believe that caring for our employees is just as important as caring for our clients. Our benefits package reflects our commitment to your well-being, financial security, and professional growth:

• Health Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts: FSAs and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to help manage out-of-pocket healthcare costs
• Retirement Security: 403(b) retirement plan with a generous company match
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO plus ten paid holidays annually
• Life and Disability Insurance: Company-paid AD&D insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage
• Employee Resource Groups: Active Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) employee resource groups fostering belonging and community
• Continuing Education: Financial support and dedicated time for continuing education, certifications, and professional development
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling, wellness resources, and support services for employees and their families

Our Culture and Values

At arenaflex, our values guide everything we do. Respect, Expertise, Integrity, and Empowerment are at the heart of every interaction, every clinical decision, and every relationship we build.

We believe that diversity is not just a goal—it is our strength. Our approach is simple: embrace everyone. Together, we are cultivating an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our employees. This commitment powers our innovation, deepens our empathy, and connects us more closely to the clients and communities we serve.

We strive to create a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of the world around us, where every team member feels empowered, safe, and welcomed. Through ongoing training, open dialogue, and a genuine dedication to equity, arenaflex is more than a workplace—it is a community united by shared purpose.

We are equally committed to a strong culture of quality and safety, celebrating role models who champion best practices for clinical risk management and patient safety across every level of our organization.

Equal Opportunity Employment

arenaflex is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. arenaflex does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

Career Growth and Development

Working at arenaflex means investing in your future. As a member of our 988 crisis response team, you will have access to:

• Structured clinical supervision and mentorship from experienced crisis professionals
• Specialized training in suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, and crisis intervention modalities
• Clear pathways for career advancement into senior clinical roles, supervisory positions, program management, or specialized crisis service leadership
• Opportunities to contribute to research, training development, and organizational quality improvement initiatives
• A supportive environment that values lifelong learning and professional certification attainment

Disclaimer

The duties and responsibilities described in this document are not a comprehensive list, and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time. The scope of the job may change as necessitated by organizational and client needs.

Why Join arenaflex?

This is more than a job—it is a calling. Every shift, every chat, every text message you respond to represents a moment where someone in their darkest hour reaches out for help, and you are the one who answers. At arenaflex, you will be part of a team that saves lives, supports recovery, and champions hope. You will work alongside some of the most passionate, skilled, and compassionate professionals in behavioral health, all united by a shared commitment to making a difference.

If you are ready to bring your clinical skills, your empathy, and your dedication to a role that truly matters, we encourage you to apply today. Join arenaflex and become a vital part of the nation's crisis response infrastructure—where your work changes lives, starting with your own.