Volunteer

Volunteer

The purpose of the volunteer position is to answer calls or text/chat conversations from community members seeking support.

Key Responsibilities

This role will support the Crisis Line or the Text Line by providing service on one 4-hour shift per week for a period of at least 365 days. This role is responsible for upholding standards of care for Crisis Support Services of Alameda County and all of its associated partner agencies and accrediting bodies by providing call (or chat-and-text) -based crisis counseling with a focus on suicide prevention. This role will collaborate with team members on a weekly shift via video and chat, maintain thorough documentation of contact with clients, and simultaneously utilize multiple tools to meet the needs of callers (or texters) and their shift.

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Strong verbal and written communication skills, desire for and openness to receiving constructive feedback, ability to learn and navigate multiple web-based platforms simultaneously, flexibility in adapting to changing needs of each shift, willingness to engage in self-reflective work, timely adherence to deadlines, commitment to displaying empathy and attunement along with effective engagement/connection skills toward callers (or texters). Demonstration of respect for individuals and cultural responsiveness for callers/texters and folks working at our agency as staff and volunteers.

Training Schedule

Our third training cohort of 2026 is taking place in July and applications for that cohort have now closed. Any applications submitted after May 18 will be considered for 2026 Q4 beginning in October 2026. Please review the schedule (linked in the document below) for the October 2026 cohort before applying. Training cohorts for 2026 will take place as follows: Q4: Training starts in October and ends in December Deadline to apply for 2026 Q4 (October-December) is August 3, 2026 View all 2026 training dates here

About Crisis Support Services of Alameda County

Founded in 1966, Crisis Support Services of Alameda County offers a broad range of counseling, education and prevention services in a safe environment. CSS' 24-hour crisis hotline responds to more than 65,000 calls each year. Services include on-going therapy groups, school-based counseling, supportive services for seniors, suicide prevention for youth; and community education. Crisis Support Services of Alameda County recognizes and understands the impact of trauma including the challenge of accessing supportive services. Our mission is to provide a welcoming and safe environment, rooted in the belief that through collaboration with clients at every stage of service healing is possible. We invite you to learn more about our agency by exploring our website.

Our Hiring Process

Stage 3: Pre-Screen Interview

Stage 4: Interview

Stage 5: Hired

Stage 1: Applied

Stage 2: Review