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Become A PSG Volunteer

Volunteer applications are now closed.

Thank you for your interest! Applications for volunteer recruitment for 2024 - 2025 are now closed. Applications will be received again in spring 2025.

The AJET Peer Support Group (PSG), the JET community's overnight telephone

support and referral service, seeks new volunteers in spring every year.

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What We're Looking For

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Basic Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a current JET Participant (ALT, CIR, or SEA—PAs are also welcome to apply!), beginning their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th Year at the start of the next JET year (i.e., late July/early August).

  • Have a reliable home Internet connection. A smartphone or pocket Wi-Fi alone is not sufficient.

  • Be willing to commit to staffing the line for usually three evenings in a typical month.

  • Be available to complete approximately 25 hours of training and role-play sessions throughout March and April.

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​Essential Qualities:

  • Open-mindedness. One of PSG’s guiding principles is offering non-judgemental support, and an ability to appreciate different points of view is critical to our success.

  • Listening and support skills. PSG is rarely in a position to “solve” problems. Instead, it seeks to listen compassionately and help JETs develop their own solutions in a safe environment.

  • A willingness to learn. PSG is an organization that is carefully tailored to meet the needs of the JET community and operates within some firm constraints. A willingness to learn PSG’s specific way of supporting JETs is essential, as is a desire to learn new skills and proactively contribute new ideas and skills.

  • A broad interest in improving the JET support network. PSG is a deliberately independent organization, but our volunteers frequently collaborate with the PA community, CLAIR staff, and privately practicing mental health professionals. Volunteers will be called upon to support those projects.

  • The ability to maintain absolute confidentiality. Volunteers may not discuss specific calls or information they may learn through their work with anyone outside the organization and only in very specific ways within the organization. PSG cannot function without ironclad confidentiality.

  • An ability to work independently. PSG is a team with a commitment to mutual support, but our volunteers are scattered throughout Japan, and one person cannot easily cover for another. PSG volunteers must be able to complete tasks on schedule and manage their time carefully.

  • Prior training/ qualifications NOT required. PSG volunteers are NOT counselors but peers who train to be effective resources for other JETs. As such, prior training in psychology or counseling or service in support roles such as a Resident Assistant or a PA may be somewhat helpful but is absolutely not required. We’re looking, first and foremost, for great listeners, and we recognize that they come from all sorts of backgrounds.

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Time Commitment:

  • Flexible. Members typically volunteer three evenings each month to staff the PSG phone line. Volunteers must submit at least ten open weekday evenings each month, as well as two weekend nights from which their shifts will be assigned.

  • Mid-March and April training requirements. Successful applicants will take part in mandatory training sessions throughout mid-March and April. While multiple sessions will be scheduled, in principle, new volunteers will have to devote one full evening per week for four weeks to complete training, with individually scheduled practice role-plays to follow.

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Application FAQs

Q: When will applications be available?

A: Applications are available at the beginning of February. During this time, a download link to the application form will be made available on this page and here. 

Q: You say that prior experience isn’t required, and that PSG isn’t a professional counselling service. I have professional qualifications—can I still apply?
A: Yes, absolutely! Our work is very distinct from counselling — which, among other things, is based on the sort of ongoing relationship that PSG cannot have as an anonymous support line —but it is based on many of the same principles, and there’s a some skill overlap. As long as you recognise that when working as a PSG volunteer you are not in a position to provide counselling, that experience can only be a plus. Many JETs with professional credentials have lent their skills to PSG over the year.

 

Q: Are PSG volunteers paid?
A: No, PSG volunteers receive no compensation for their service.

 

Q: Does PSG have an office or a call center? Do I have to travel to volunteer?
A: We wish! We use VoIP technology to connect our national hotline to our volunteers’ personal computers or telephones, so you can work the line from the comfort of your kotatsu. Training is also conducted through conference calls, so you can do that at home too. We do try to arrange a few volunteer meet-ups or activities throughout the year, though.

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Q: PSG operates from 20:00 to 07:00—how does that work? Do I have to stay up all night?

A: Typically, one volunteer staffs the line for the entire shift period. Volunteers are allowed to sleep on shift, provided that they are able to respond quickly to any call that may come in.

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Q: I work for a non-JET company in Japan. Can I still volunteer?

A: Sorry, PSG volunteers must be current JET programme participants. Even PSG volunteers who stay in Japan have to leave the group upon the end of their time on JET. You might try looking at the Tokyo English Lifeline if you’re interested in being involved with something similar.

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Q: I’ll be leaving JET this summer, but this sounds like a great learning opportunity. Can I still volunteer?
A: Sorry, training is a very intense and time-consuming process, and we have to reserve our limited spots for volunteers who can make a commitment for the entire year.

 

Q: Who runs PSG? Does it report to anyone?
A: PSG is an independent organisation, which we think is critical to offering JETs unbiased support and guidance. We are supported by National AJET, but operate autonomously and do not report calls to it, CLAIR, Prefectural Advisors, contracting organisations, or legal authorities. Callers who seek PSG’s assistance are therefore guaranteed that it has no financial or professional stake in their situation, only a concern for their well-being. The only exception to our confidentiality policy is if someone poses an imminent threat to themselves or the safety of others. We have to take action if there are lives at stake.

 

Q: Hey, you didn’t answer my question!
A: No problem! Just send us an e-mail at psgapplications@gmail.com when applications are open or to the Volunteer Coordinator at ajetpsg.vc@gmail.com while applications are closed, and we’ll be happy to give you more information. We ask however that you do not contact the hotline with recruitment-related inquiries.

Applications are now closed.

Thank you very much for your interest in volunteering for PSG.

Applications will open again in spring 2025.

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