Remote Crisis Chat and Text Response Specialist – 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Overnight Shift (Sun–Thurs)

About arenaflex

arenaflex is a national leader in behavioral health and human services, recognized for transforming lives through compassionate, evidence-based care. With thousands of dedicated professionals working across the country, arenaflex delivers programs that support individuals, families, and communities through every stage of life. Our work spans crisis intervention, outpatient therapy, recovery support, residential services, prevention programs, and community-based mental health initiatives. We are proud to be a trauma-informed organization, embedding principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment into every level of our operations.

At arenaflex, our culture is grounded in four enduring values: Respect, Expertise, Integrity, and Empowerment. These values guide how we treat our clients, how we support one another, and how we build innovative solutions to the country’s most pressing mental health challenges. We believe that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just a goal but a daily practice. Every voice at arenaflex matters, and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every employee feels seen, heard, and valued.

We are now expanding our National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) team and are seeking a dedicated, skilled, and empathetic crisis intervention professional to join us in a fully remote, overnight shift role. If you are passionate about saving lives, comfortable working in a digital-first environment, and ready to make a measurable difference during some of the most vulnerable moments a person can experience, this opportunity is for you.

Position Summary

The Remote Crisis Chat and Text Response Specialist is a frontline member of arenaflex’s 24/7/365 mental health crisis intervention team. In this role, you will respond to incoming chat and text messages on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — nationally known as 988 — providing life-saving emotional support, brief clinical screenings, and safety assessments for individuals in emotional distress. While the primary mode of contact is written communication, you may also support telephonic intervention when an individual requires verbal de-escalation or continued engagement to ensure their safety.

This position is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, emotionally charged environments and can balance clinical accuracy with genuine human warmth. You will conduct follow-up outreach for individuals identified as moderate to high risk for suicide, connect people with community resources, and document every interaction with precision. Above all, you will serve as a calm, compassionate presence during someone’s darkest hour — a role that is challenging but profoundly meaningful.

Shift Details

• Schedule: Sunday through Thursday
• Hours: 2:00 AM – 10:30 AM (overnight/early morning)
• Days Off: Friday and Saturday
• Work Model: Fully remote within the United States
• Employment Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

As a 988 Crisis Chat and Text Specialist at arenaflex, your core responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Crisis Response via Chat and Text: Answer incoming crisis contacts through the 988 chat/text platform, providing empathetic, clinically informed support to individuals experiencing emotional distress, suicidal ideation, or mental health crises.
• Clinical Screenings and Risk Assessments: Conduct brief clinical screenings and structured risk assessments to determine the appropriate level of care, identify safety concerns, and evaluate the need for emergency intervention.
• Telephonic Support When Needed: Transition seamlessly from written to verbal communication when an individual requires telephonic intervention, either by preference or clinical necessity, to ensure their safety and continued engagement.
• Service Linkage and Referrals: Connect individuals to appropriate community resources, mental health programs, and support services based on their unique needs, geographic location, and presenting concerns.
• Follow-Up Outreach: Conduct structured follow-up calls to individuals identified as moderate to high risk for suicide, providing ongoing support and ensuring connection to care.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough clinical documentation in accordance with arenaflex standards, accreditation requirements, and legal guidelines.
• Ethical and Clinical Compliance: Adhere to all ethical and clinical standards required by accreditation bodies, licensing regulations, and arenaflex policies.
• Professional Development: Actively participate in ongoing supervision, team meetings, continuing education, and specialized training opportunities to enhance your crisis intervention skills.
• Administrative Support: Assist with administrative tasks as needed, including data entry, quality improvement initiatives, and program development support.

Essential Qualifications

To be considered for this role, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field; OR current certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist.
• Experience: Six months to one year of related crisis intervention, mental health, or suicide prevention experience is preferred, though highly motivated new graduates with strong aptitude will be considered.
• Communication Skills: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through written, verbal, in-person, and virtual methods, with exceptional active listening skills.
• Customer Service Orientation: High-level customer service skills and professional etiquette, especially when working with individuals in acute distress.
• Knowledge of Suicide Assessment: Working knowledge of suicide risk assessment tools, safety planning, and crisis intervention models.
• Crisis Intervention Skills: Demonstrated skill in providing crisis intervention, de-escalation, and brief supportive counseling.
• Resource Navigation: Knowledge of and competency in providing service linkage and referrals for community-based programs and resources.

Preferred Competencies

Candidates who bring the following additional strengths will stand out:

• Prior experience working on a crisis hotline, text line, or suicide prevention service.
• Familiarity with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) standards, policies, and protocols.
• Multilingual capabilities (Spanish or ASL strongly valued).
• Experience working with diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ youth, veterans, and individuals from marginalized communities.
• Comfort with technology, electronic health records, and remote collaboration tools.
• Resilience, self-awareness, and a strong commitment to personal wellness — essential when working in emotionally demanding roles.

Physical Requirements

This is a remote, computer-based role. The physical demands are minimal but include:

• Sitting: 90% of the time
• Standing: 10% of the time
• Occasional squatting, kneeling, bending, driving, and lifting as needed for daily life activities

Compensation and Benefits

arenaflex is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a comprehensive benefits package and competitive compensation. For this position, the expected pay range is $19.10 – $26.80 per hour, commensurate with education, experience, and credentials.

Additional benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off and ten paid holidays annually
• Company-paid AD&D insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) employee resource groups
• Continuing education and professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial wellness, and family support

Our Culture and Commitment to You

Working on the 988 Lifeline is not for everyone — but for those who choose it, the work is among the most meaningful careers available in behavioral health today. At arenaflex, we understand that supporting people in crisis requires supporting our staff first. We provide robust supervision, structured onboarding, ongoing training, peer support, and a workplace culture that prioritizes your well-being as much as the well-being of those we serve.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Employment at arenaflex is based solely on a person’s merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We do not discriminate on the basis 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 conditions (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

Our commitment to quality and safety is unwavering. We celebrate role models who champion best practices for clinical risk management, patient safety, and ethical care. We invest in the people who make this work possible — through mentorship, continuing education, leadership development, and pathways for career advancement across our national network.

Why Join arenaflex?

When you join arenaflex, you join an organization where your work directly saves lives. Every chat you answer, every text you respond to, every follow-up call you make has the potential to change the trajectory of someone’s life — and often, the lives of the people who love them. Whether you are an experienced crisis counselor or a recent graduate ready to begin your career in behavioral health, this role offers a unique opportunity to:

• Develop deep expertise in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care.
• Work alongside some of the most passionate and skilled professionals in the field.
• Build a career with a national organization that values growth, learning, and internal promotion.
• Make a tangible, daily impact from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Apply Today

If you are ready to bring your skills, your empathy, and your commitment to a role that truly matters, we encourage you to apply. The 988 Lifeline is a lifeline for millions — and the people who answer it are nothing less than everyday heroes. Become one of them at arenaflex.

arenaflex is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve.