Description

COVID-19 Chat Responder Volunteer Supervisor is a volunteer lead position in the Certified Listeners organization. Reporting to our Ceritified Listener Program Manager, you will:

> Remotely supervise our Certified Listener Volunteers in our emotional support (only) 'chat room'

> Perform ongoing risk assessments of clients, in terms of need for professional intervention/support by appropriate local community services

> Ensure that our Certified Listener Volunteers are aware of and actively direct clients to appropriate professional resources in their communities

> Ensure that calm, considerate listening occurs within the 'chat room', no matter how graphic or disturbing the content may be

> Monitor and carefully review all conversations in order to ensure that therapy, crisis intervention, or addiction counselling services are NOT being offered by our volunteers

> Engage in a periodic review with the Program Manager for the purpose of consistent adherence to 'best practices' and improvement of the delivery of our support to clients

APPLICATIONS ARE WELCOME NOW! Volunteers with 'profiles' in Volunteer MBC's Referral System can click the yellow box 'Apply Now!' (above/below) to gain immediate access to the Certified Listeners' volunteer application process, plus your name/contact info/resume (encouraged, so please upload) will be added to a list of 'Applicants' for this role. If you do not have a 'profile', you are invited to create one, or you can access the organization's website (and its 'Volunteer' page). See 'Social Media', below.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Social Services, Social Work, Psychology, and/or Nursing
• Please note: If you're  a student who's interested in completing a volunteer placement at CLS, please contact our department at the following email: [email protected].
• Prior supervisory experience is an asset
• You are trained in 1. Mental Health 'risk assessment; 2. Suicide Intervention & Non-violent Crisis Intervention models, and are able to demonstrate and apply this knowledge
• Strong oral/written English communication skills (fluency in additional languages welcome)
• Working knowledge of local community services, notably those that relate to the 'role', including resources that address 'domestic violence'
• Regular, reliable access to the Internet and devices (PC, Laptop, etc., with appropriate software) that will facilitate your 'virtual' communication in the 'role' (ie. 'chat room' participation, video conferencing, etc.)
• You are comfortable and confident in volunteering using 'virtual' (remote) communications, and you possess a typing skill of 40 WPM
• You are committed to volunteering that embraces 'diversity and inclusiveness' in your local community, plus ready to assist our clients who are from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds
• You possess leadership skills, are an empathetic listener, capable of working well under pressure, and someone who has good judgment when it comes to conflict management and resolution
• You are prepared to follow our organization's 'Policies & Procedures', including adherence to absolute confidentiality
• Available for 20 hours of mandatory training, with a corresponding commitment to a mutually agreed schedule over an engagement of 4 to 6 months, preferrably longer
• "Police Vulnerable Sector Check' required (due to the sensitivity of this 'position')
  
  SCREENING of volunteer applicants will be 'virtual (Tel/Email/Online interview(s)). Please monitor your 'Junk/Spam' folders and leave space in your voicemail for communications from Certified Listeners. See 'DESCRIPTION', above, for details about the application process.
  
  The Certified Listeners Society is committed to volunteering equity and we encourage applications from all qualified candidates, such that we will make available reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, at their request. Applications are received and reviewed in a completely non-discriminatory manner, and we invite capable volunteers from diverse backgrounds to apply without hesitation.

Training

MANDATORY: Training that will be 'virtual' (remote) and you will need 20 hours to complete all aspects, at your own pace. Beyond that, you initially will be 'shadowed' by an experienced supervisor or staff.