The Role
This is an opportunity to volunteer from home. Reporting to the Certified Listener Program Manager, all volunteers are carefully screened and fully trained before taking emotional support chats. Throughout their volunteering experience, volunteers receive ongoing professional support and in-service education sessions. Experienced volunteers gain many life and communication skills which translate into other aspects of their daily lives.

What will you do:
You will be an online chat responder providing emotional support on our online chat platform.
· Providing immediate and confidential support (chat, etc.) using agency procedures and policies
· Providing information and referrals when appropriate
· Understanding what to do if you are concerned about a person’s safety
· Work with callers/chatters, volunteers, and staff in a respectful and professional manner
· Letting callers know your listening, and someone cares
· Letting the person know there is someone here to provide individual support

What will you NOT be doing:
· Certified Listeners are not therapists or hold themselves out to be
· Telling people what to do or how they should live their lives
· You are not providing crisis intervention
· You are not providing addiction counseling

Responsibilities:
To work three 4-hour shifts per week (12 hours per week) for a period of at least 4 months (or a comparable number of hours) after successful completion of screening and training.
Scheduling is flexible, and you will be able to choose weekly shifts that best suits you from six designated times.

What are we looking for:
Keyboarding skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to build a relationship and convey empathy and emotion through an online platform
Capacity to remain calm and effective in challenging situations
Non-judgmental and accepting of diverse values and beliefs
Reliability and punctuality
Ability to work independently
Good self-awareness and common sense
Emotional resilience, stability, and maturity
Proficiency in the English language – specially written
Open to feedback and continuous development
Access to a computer with reliable internet connectivity
Access to a private space at home for the duration of your volunteering shift
Adherence to Certified Listeners Society policies, procedures, and online chat guidelines
Ability to support Certified Listeners Society philosophy of empowering individuals

What will be expected of you:
18+ Years Old
Two references (professional, academic, or volunteer-related)
Police reference check, including vulnerable sector screening
Successful completion of all comprehensive Core Competencies training programs, quizzes, and screening process
Reliability in fulfilling weekly shift commitments
Comply with Certified Listeners Society policies and procedures and our Code of Ethics
Maintain a confidential workplace as well as confidentiality about your work
Sign and comply with our Volunteer Non-Disclosure Agreement
Participation in ongoing training and work-related development opportunities