The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Crisis Line Counselor to join our team! This is a job where you will gain invaluable skills in the field of mental health and know that every shift you work, you will have made a difference in someone’s life. The Harris Center Crisis Line is dedicated to serving people experiencing a mental health or intellectual/developmental disability crisis in our community 24/7/365. Crisis Line Counselors provide immediate intervention and de-escalation to help prevent harm to self or others, work collaboratively with the person in need to create coping and safety strategies, and connect to appropriate levels of care when necessary. Crisis Line Counselors do this work by creating a safe and nonjudgmental space for people in crisis to tell their story, help break down problems in to smaller, more manageable components, and offer hope. The Harris Center Crisis Line answers not only the Harris Center Crisis Line, but also serves as the Crisis Line for several other Local Mental Health Authority’s in the state of Texas and is the regional hub for the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine.

What you will do:

• Be ready and available to take calls during an assigned shift.
• Provide good contact to the caller by building connection, rapport, and being empathetic.
• Utilizes active listening skills and the crisis intervention model.
• Accurately and thoroughly assesses appropriate calls using the Crisis Line Comprehensive Framework tool.
• Works collaboratively with the caller on their problem and providing an opportunity for the caller to explore and brainstorm options.
• Offers thorough and appropriate use and explanation of resources and referrals based on the call type and framework.

What qualifications you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree - preferably in the area of Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or another human services related course of study
• Customer service experience, preferably phone related. Be able to attend and successfully complete 200 plus hours of training. Training covers telephonic customer service, Crisis Intervention Theory, Listening Skills, Call Management skills, Mental Health Issues, Intellectual Developmental Disability Issues, Suicide and Homicide Risk Assessments, The Harris Center Services and Programs, Community Resources, and more.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills.
• Typing at minimum of 40 wpm.
• Ability to navigate several computer systems simultaneously.

What we have to offer:

The HARRIS CENTER offers competitive salary, excellent benefits package, retirement plans with company matching, prior service credit towards generous PTO accrual, outstanding wellness programs and professional development.

Employees can also take advantage of business casual dress code, corporate discounts, and gym memberships. New hire referral bonus, discounts are also available on an optional basis. These include mobile phone service, fitness centers and other wellness amenities.

What else you should know:

This posting is associated with 4 position numbers: #9266 filled, #70074, #700106 filled #70080 filled, filled, #70081, #700102 filled, #70071 filled, 700111 #700113 filled, #700107 filled, #9740 filled

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, The HARRIS CENTER provided care to over 79,000 people in fiscal year 2019 and has an annual budget of over $275 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 42 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,300 employees, The HARRIS CENTER is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.