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The Opportunity Alliance

Nonprofit community action agency delivering integrated services

Relief Crisis Intervention Specialist

Part-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's, Associate's
Portland, ME, USA
In PersonPortland, Maine; driving may be needed for meetings, trainings, and occasional offsite client visits within the program service area.
Social & Community ServicesCase Management & Advocacy

About the job

Requirements
  • An associate's degree and two years of relevant experience in a behavioral health or human services setting are required; qualifying experience may include paid volunteer work or student/intern work in crisis work, child protective services, warm line volunteering, residential care, case management, special education, or work with people with developmental disabilities. One year of relevant experience is equivalent to 1,200 hours of work, volunteerism, internship, or a combination.
  • MHRT/CSP certification or the ability to obtain it within 30 days of employment is required; on-site training is provided.
  • Technical literacy in electronic documentation, oral and written communication, organizational skills, and a flexible schedule are required.
  • Demonstrated competence in critical thinking, especially assessing information, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving, is required.
  • Ability to work across differing systems and within a team framework encompassing differing rules, governing policies, leadership styles, and cultural perspectives is required.
  • Ability to demonstrate a belief that recovery is possible and maintain agency perspectives of recovery and treatment guided by client needs is required.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, and the Internet is required.
  • Must successfully pass criminal background, child protective service, and sex offender checks.
  • Must not be on the state or federal suspension and disbarment list.
  • A good driving record is required.
Responsibilities
  • Provide crisis assessment, immediate intervention, direct planning, risk determination for harm to self or others, and general mental health consultation.
  • Coordinate with individuals, family members, community members, and formal and informal supports to address emergency psychiatric needs and provide short-term follow-up.
  • Advocate for needed mental health, substance use, intellectual disability, and co-occurring disorder services.
  • Support effective communication and collaboration among crisis services staff, agency programs and staff, police, community providers and members, and others who may benefit from crisis intervention services.
  • Deliver services face-to-face and through alternative systems such as phone and electronic media, using a trauma-informed, trauma-sensitive, and recovery-oriented framework.
  • Attend staff meetings as needed to ensure continuity of care and participate in other meetings as needed.
  • Establish and maintain positive work relationships, contribute as a team member, demonstrate constructive conflict resolution, and use self-care tools to recognize and safely address secondary traumatization.
  • Drive as needed to meetings and trainings, occasionally meet clients offsite within the program service area, and transport clients or travel to an agency location to complete work.
Desired Qualifications
  • An associate's or bachelor's degree in education, psychology, human development, social sciences, health/human services, social work, or law enforcement, with two to three years of relevant experience, is preferred.
  • Knowledge of DSM-V is preferred.
  • Technical literacy, oral and written communication, and organizational skills are preferred.

About the company

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The Opportunity Alliance

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The Opportunity Alliance is a non-profit community action agency serving Cumberland County, Maine, coordinating programs to help individuals and families build stable lives. It uses a wrap-around, holistic approach across four pillars—Behavioral Health & Wellness, Community Well-Being, Childcare & Early Childhood Education, and Poverty & Economic Mobility—with services like Maine Crisis Line/988, 211 Maine, residential treatment, homelessness prevention, heating assistance, Head Start, and WIC. It is funded by grants, public funding, and donations, and it uses data-driven, trauma-informed care to measure impact and ensure quality. Its goal is to reduce poverty, increase stability, and create economic mobility for people and communities, with statewide reach for some programs and deep local roots dating back to 1965.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

South Portland, Maine

Founded

1965

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • SAMHSA awarded $248,939 in August 2026 for Crisis Line follow-up improvements.
  • Maine housing demand rose 5% statewide in 2026, boosting TOA’s emergency-assistance relevance.
  • October 22, 2026 RAISE fundraising event signals active donor support and community visibility.

What critics are saying

  • May 2025 federal and Maine settlement over Provider Labs damaged trust and scrutiny.
  • HEAP demand jumped to 1,000 applications by September 2026, straining staff and funding.
  • Dependence on grants and public contracts creates an existential cliff if renewals slip.

What makes The Opportunity Alliance unique

  • TOA runs Maine Crisis Line/988 and 211, handling 3,835 weekly calls.
  • Its 2026 Head Start grant hit $4.37 million, anchoring statewide early-childhood scale.
  • Integrated services span crisis, housing, childcare, and energy aid across Cumberland County.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • 403(b) retirement with a generous agency match (all employees are eligible)
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Unlimited Paid Time Off
  • Flexible Work Hours
  • Remote Work Options
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Vacation
  • Family Planning Benefits
  • Fertility Treatment Support