Response Team-Outreach Advocate On-Call - Circle Program

About the role

Sycamores is a contracted provider with The City of Los Angeles, Mayor's Office of Community Safety, to operate the CIRCLE program (Crisis and Incident Response through Community-led Engagement) throughout the San Fernando Valley. This 24/7 unarmed response program deploys trained teams to address non-urgent LAPD calls related to unhoused individuals. CIRCLE aims to create positive outcomes for unhoused individuals through rapport-building and connections to services, while allowing LAPD officers to focus on traditional law enforcement efforts.

For consumers needing more intensive and immediate support, CIRCLE integrates with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) network of Field Intervention Teams (FIT), including Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams (MCOT) and Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT), who can provide in-person assessments to determine if psychiatric hospitalization is necessary.

The CIRCLE Response Team Outreach Advocate partners with a Response Team Supervisor to provide outreach and engagement to persons in need within the San Fernando Valley. The team responds to referrals from three Los Angeles Police Departments (Van Nuys, Mission, and Foothill) and uses the agency vehicle to assist community members. The role includes providing stabilization interventions, advocating for client voice and choice, self-determination, and decision-making in treatment and support services. The advocate also offers on-scene consultation regarding community resources, crisis intervention, and available services such as housing, mental health, medical treatment, and substance abuse support.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach and engagement to unhoused individuals in the San Fernando Valley.
• Respond to referrals from Van Nuys, Mission, and Foothill LAPD divisions using agency vehicles.
• Provide stabilization interventions and advocate for client self-determination in planning, delivery, and evaluation of services.
• Offer on-scene consultation on community resources, crisis intervention, and services (e.g., housing, mental health, medical treatment, substance abuse).
• Collaborate with LACDMH Field Intervention Teams (FIT) for consumers needing intensive support.
• Drive company vehicles for crisis intervention, including urgent or emergency services.

Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of job-related experience conducting street outreach to persons experiencing homelessness; lived experience in homelessness, substance abuse, or criminal justice involvement preferred.
• Self-identified experience with recovery from mental illness or substance use disorder, either as a consumer or as a parent/caregiver/family member of a consumer. If lived experience includes substance use, a minimum of two years of continuous sobriety is required, with ongoing sobriety maintained throughout employment.
• Willingness to share lived experience and strong dedication to recovery.
• Agreement to adhere to the Code of Ethics in writing.
• Valid California driver’s license, acceptable driving record per agency policy, and proof of auto insurance meeting minimum coverage requirements.

Physical Demands

• Ability to physically manage and/or de-escalate consumers/residents.
• Frequent driving in the community with consumers.
• Frequent/continuous intermittent standing/walking; occasional/intermittent sitting.
• Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities for fine motor activities (fingering, grasping, forward reaching between waist and chest level; reaching at or above shoulder level may be necessary).
• Bending, squatting, kneeling, pushing/pulling, twisting, and climbing.
• Occasional/intermittent lifting and carrying objects/equipment up to 25 pounds.
• Continuous use of near vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills for telephone calls, customer interactions, and job duties.
• Physical presence in the office during shift.
• Ability to practice physical intervention for consumer safety according to training and policy.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Pay

Starting pay range: $33.80 - $34 per hour (based on previous work experience and educational background).