Follow-up Specialist
Maine Crisis Line

The Maine Crisis Line (MCL) is a remote 24/7 call center that serves as the statewide suicide and crisis hotline in Maine. As a Follow-Up Specialist, you will play a vital role in providing ongoing support to individuals who have previously contacted the crisis line. This position focuses on long-term crisis stabilization, effective referrals, risk assessments, teaching coping skills, and enhancing connections to current providers. Additionally, you will contribute to answering crisis calls as needed and will be trained as a Crisis Support Specialist.

Key Responsibilities:

• Crisis Intervention: Provide direct support, assess problems, complete risk assessments, and develop safety plans.

• Follow-Up Support: Engage with support-seekers for up to a year, review and modify safety plans, and coordinate with providers.

• Crisis Call Support: Assist in answering crisis calls, texts, and web chat messages as needed.

• Continuous Improvement: Ensure accurate documentation, complete training, and comply with agency policies.

• Team Engagement: Participate in training, supervision, and contribute to professional development.

• Program Development: Assist with administrative tasks, maintain resource lists, and coordinate follow-up tasks.

Why Work With Us?

At The Opportunity Alliance, we envision a just, fair, and inclusive agency where everyone can reach their full potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourage applications from all backgrounds. We strive for healthy and prosperous communities, promoting equitable access and opportunity for marginalized, oppressed, and underserved groups.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Education: Associate's degree . Preferred degrees in education, psychology, human development, social sciences, Health/Human Services, Social Work, or Law Enforcement.

• Experience: One year of relevant experience preferred (crisis work, child protective services, warm line volunteer, etc.).

• Skills: Strong oral communication, ability to manage complex tasks, familiarity with DSM-V, and proficiency in documentation software.

• Certifications: Ability to earn the MHRT-CSP certification within 30 days of employment (training provided).

• Other Requirements: Must pass a criminal background check, child protective service check, and sex offender check. Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.

Work Environment:

• Remote Work: Expect exposure to computer screens for 6-8 hours per day. Prolonged sitting and remote work may lead to physical and emotional challenges.

• Travel: Occasional travel in the Southern Maine area for meetings and trainings.

Join us in making a difference and supporting those in crisis. Apply today to be part of a team that values respect, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Schedule: This is a full-time, 40 hours/week position.

24-hour program; Nights, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Location: fully remote (in Maine)

Office is located in South Portland

Must have the ability to attend an in-person orientation in South Portland.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or High School Diploma with a minimum of 90 credits required.
• An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, human development, social sciences, Health/Human Services, Social Work, or Law Enforcement and two to three years of relevant experience is preferred.
• One year of relevant experience is preferred but not required. Relevant experience is identified as follows: work performed in a behavioral health or human services setting, can also be as a paid volunteer or as a student/intern and includes crisis work, child protective services, warm line volunteer, residential care, case management, special education or work with people with developmental disabilities. One year of relevant experience is defined as; the equivalent of 1,200 hours of work, volunteerism, or internship or a combination of these areas.
• Ability to earn the MHRT-CSP certification within 30 days of employment required - training onsite provided required
• Must have solid oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, succinctly, and in a customer friendly manner, along with the competence to communicate with multiple parties during a crisis call. The ability to learn and understand written crisis call documentation skills. The ability to manage complex tasks effectively.
• Previous experience working in a call center, customer service environment a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with complex information to address challenging situations.
• Ability to become familiar with DSM-V information.
• The ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• A flexible schedule is required.
• Must demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn and understand the use of documentation software and resource applications proficiently enough to perform documentation while simultaneously engaging with clients on the phone. The ability to use telephone, instant messaging and chat technology.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background, child protective service check & sex offender check.
• Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
• Normal office conditions such as sitting, with occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, crouching, typing and lifting up to 10 pounds.
• Driving may be necessary to attend meetings and trainings but is not a primarily and essential job responsibility.

Benefits: Our benefits include but are not limited to:

(offered to full-time and part-time employees)

• Generous paid time off accrual
• 9 paid holidays per calendar year and up to 3 floating holidays per calendar year
• Excellent medical benefits at very reasonable cost
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Agency paid basic life insurance and STD & LTD disability insurances
• 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)
• Tuition Reimbursement - offered once per year through an application process
• The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a qualified employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

To learn more about our benefits please visit, https://www.opportunityalliance.org/explore-our-benefits

Who we are

The Opportunity Alliance is "Helping People Reach for a Brighter Future".

Mission: The Opportunity Alliance works with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We provide advocacy, leadership, and support to identify the goals and address the needs of individuals, families, and communities.

The Opportunity Alliance (TOA) is a dynamic, results-focused Community Action Agency providing approximately 50 integrated community-based and clinical programs serving more than 20,000 people annually throughout the state of Maine. With over 50 years of experience, TOA draws from a comprehensive set of programs which address issues such as mental health, substance use, homelessness, lack of basic needs, and access to community supports. Through an extensive array of services, TOA provides opportunities for individuals to stabilize fragile situations and then works with them to achieve self-sufficiency. TOA is client-focused with extensive experience working with diverse client populations. TOA programming includes four key sectors of service:

• Mental Health & Wellness
• Community Building
• Family & Early Childhood Education
• Economic Resources

The Opportunity Alliance is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are viewing this posting on a third-party site, please visit our website at https://opportunityalliance.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers to apply.

Please submit a cover letter and resume along with your application.

Thank you!