Bilingual In-Office Crisis Line Counselor -Spanish/English speaking

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CRISIS PROGRAM: Bilingual Spanish/English-speaking In-Office Crisis Line Counselor

Location: YWCA Domestic Violence Department, Support Network Program, 375 South Third St. San Jose, CA 95112

Purpose: To provide support and/or assistance to Spanish-speaking callers, and other callers, to the crisis line; to communicate to domestic violence survivors that they are not at fault and are not alone.

Major Responsibilities:

• Answer telephone calls made to the YWCA Support Network Program's 1-800 Crisis Line and complete all required documentation.
• Provide support to crisis line callers by validating their experiences through respectful and active listening.
• Assist callers to explore their options and plan for their safety.
• Provide callers with information on program, YWCA Support Network Program and community resources.
• Transfer callers to other program and YWCA Support Network Program personnel as appropriate.
• Between calls, support the day-to-day operations of the Crisis Program through participation in program activities, including administrative tasks.
• Conduct in-person crisis counseling appointments following a minimum of one year's crisis line experience and the completion of additional training. (Optional)
• Mandatory: Report any known or suspected instance of child abouse and/or neglect to a YWCA Support Network Program employee.

Required Qualifications:

• Fluency in Spanish and English.
• Ability to listen to callers actively and respectfully, and respond with warmth, compassion and empathy.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to work with and support individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Interest in, and a commitment to, continuous learning about domestic violence and the needs of victims.

Preferred (but not essential) Qualifications:

• Knowledge and understanding of the diverse Latino/Latina cultures.

Benefits to Volunteering:

• Satisfaction derived from assisting individuals and families, adults and children experiencing and recovering from domestic violence.
• Develop extensive knowledge and skills in the field of domestic violence.

Training Required:

• Completion of the YWCA Support Network Program's 40-hour Domestic Violence Counselor Training.
• Completion of the YWCA Support Network Program's 1-hour Crisis Program Component Training.
• Completion of call-observation sessions to develop personal comfort level with taking calls.

Time Commitment: Volunteer 3 hours per week, or more, between the following times:

Monday 9:00am - 4:30pm

Tuesday 9:00am - 4:30pm

Wednesday 9:00am - 4:30pm

Thursday 9:00am - 4:30pm

Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm

Required commitment: Minimum of 100 hours of service (post-training).