Why Join Certified Listeners Society?

We are a not-for-profit organization built by a community of people dedicated to providing early-stage emotional support to anyone who needs it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are not a crisis helpline. We believe that by serving the masses to navigate the challenges of our lives, with early-stage and real-time Emotional Support interventions, we can help individuals make better mental health lifestyle choices to live better, happier, healthier lives.

Our Mission

To provide Emotional Support to the masses, whenever they need it, one text message at a time. We do not wait for individuals to call us but rather go out of our way to find people online who need emotional support.

The Role

Reporting to the Certified Listener Program Manager you will be in charge of supervising our Certified Listener Volunteers to provide Emotional Support to the masses. This is an opportunity to volunteer from home.

What will you do:

You will be an online chat shift supervisor assisting our certified listener volunteers to provide emotional support on our online chat platform.

•         Providing immediate and confidential support to our certified listener volunteers (chat, etc.) using agency procedures and policies
•         Help our Certified Listener Volunteers providing information and referrals when appropriate
•         Understanding what to do if you are concerned about a person’s safety (Client or Certified Listener Volunteer)
•         Work with callers/chatters, volunteers, and staff in a respectful and professional manner

What will you NOT be doing:

•         Certified Listeners Volunteers are not therapists or hold themselves out to be. As a shift supervisor, you need to be sure our volunteers only provide emotional support.
•         Make sure our volunteers are not telling people what to do or how they should live their lives
•         Make sure our volunteers are not providing crisis intervention or addiction counseling.

Responsibilities:

To work one 4-hour shift per week for a period of at least 3 months.

There is flexibility in scheduling, and you will be able to choose weekly shifts that best suit you from six designated times.

What you can expect from us:

We at Certified Listeners Society provide training, protocols, policies and policies, proprietary software, support, and supervision to help shift supervisors and certified listener volunteers fulfill their roles.

Supervisor Skills and Competencies

• Supervisory experience preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge of risk assessments, suicide prevention
• Training in Assist or other Suicide Intervention models preferred
• Training in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention preferred
• Sound working knowledge of community services
• Proven knowledge/experience in mental health
• Risk assessment skills
• Ability to work with individuals of diverse cultural and social backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to function well under pressure
• Demonstrated conflict management and resolution skills
• Knowledge of domestic violence and resources
• Comfortable interacting using electronic mediums

Requirements 

• 18+ Years Old
• Two references (professional, academic, or volunteer-related)
• Police reference check, including vulnerable sector screening

Education: Minimum Degree, diploma in social services, social work, psychology, nursing.

Registration:

Preferred but not required with regulated college in Ontario i.e OCSWSSW

As part of our commitment to volunteers, a Certificate of Completion and Reference Letters and confirmations of volunteering experience is provided upon request to individuals who have fulfilled the specified requirements previously stated. Certified Listeners Society is only able to attest to a volunteer’s skills, experience, and personal qualities. Reference letters and confirmation will state that Certified Listeners Society volunteers are engaged in emotional supportive counseling not any type of psychotherapy during the course of their volunteer work.

Certified Listeners Society is committed to volunteering equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Certified Listeners Society will make available reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities upon request.

How to apply? Interested volunteers who would love to volunteer with us should apply by sending your resume and cover letter  . We appreciate all applications, however, only chosen applicants will be contacted for an interview.