Coordinator, Youth Services

ABOUT SAMARITANS
Samaritans envisions a world without suicide. Our mission is to prevent suicide and offer hope and support to those affected. For nearly 50 years, Samaritans has provided lifesaving suicide prevention services in Massachusetts. 

Samaritans is known for its innovative approach to serving the community and provides a full range of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention services. An extended community education and outreach program increases the public knowledge on this issue. Phone, text, and chat-based crisis services are provided to support those in distress. Support groups and personal visits assist people and families impacted by suicide loss in their grieving and healing process.

Samaritans’ employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption. An offer is contingent upon proof that the candidate is fully vaccinated or qualifies for an exemption.  Currently our office is re-open on a hybrid schedule with an average of 2 days per week in office, after a period of onboarding for new hires.

ABOUT HEY SAM  
Created in 2022, Hey Sam is a new dedicated peer-to-peer texting service for people up to 24 years old. Designed for and staffed by young people, Hey Sam gives youth the opportunity to reach peers if they are struggling, need someone to talk to, or need support. Based on our principle of befriending, Hey Sam provides an active, non-judgmental listening ear to those who need it. 

POSITION REPORTS TO       
Director, Youth Services and Technology  

 

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR 
Volunteers staffing the Hey Sam text helpline  

 

ABOUT THE POSITION
The Youth Services Coordinator’s role is to ensure adequate coverage on the Hey Sam peer support text line by helping to recruit, train, support and manage youth volunteers for the program.  

 

·       Recruit youth volunteers to staff the Hey Sam Text Line 

·       Assist in training new volunteers 

·       Manages schedule to ensure adequate staff coverage on helpline 

·       Conducts quality assurance assessments  

·       Work closely with members of the 24/7 Crisis Services Team  

·       Participates in staff meetingsand supervision 

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS 

·       Minimum of two years of professional experience preferred 

·       Knowledge of the field of suicide prevention 

·       Experience working with youth  

·       Experience working on a crisis helpline plus 

·       Ability to be empathetic and engage in active, non-judgmental listening with our users 

·       Ability to work with sensitive and confidential information 

·       Must be able to display good, sound judgment  

·       Must possess strong communication skills 

·       Ability to resolve conflicts appropriately 

·       Ability to work independently and collaboratively to maximize teamwork across the organization 

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS 

·       Successful completion of the 26-hour Volunteer Befriender Training and assigned learning shifts on the textline after hire  

·       Flexibility in meeting demands and remaining positive during interactions is essential  

·       Other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor 

 

·       Starting at 48K 

·       Employer matched 401(k) Plan 

·       Short and Long-Term Disability coverage as well as Life Insurance 

·       Health (Samaritans covers 85% of premium), Dental (Samaritans covers 90% of premium) and Vision insurance 

·       Healthcare and Childcare FSA, Commuter Benefits and Employee Assistance Program 

·       Generous Vacation (New hires start with 10 days), Sick (8 days) and Personal Time Off (5 days) 

·       Paid Family Medical Leave benefits 

·       14 paid holidays 

·       Direct deposit payroll 

 

Please send your resume (saved as Lastname_resume) and brief cover letter* (saved as Lastname_coverletter) explaining your interest in the position, and how you learned about this opportunity. Email to jobs@samaritanshope.org with “Coordinator, Youth Services” in the subject line. 

 

*Applications that are missing a resume or cover letter may not be considered. 

 

To learn more about Samaritans, please visit: www.samaritanshope.org 

 

Samaritans is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Candidates of color, bilingual, and bicultural candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, creed, national origin, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, genetic information or in any other category protected under the law.