Community Services Advocate -Drop-In (AM or PM)

Job Description

Job Description

Summary

The Community Services Advocate helps create a welcoming, respectful, and low-barrier environment that fosters connection, trust, and a sense of community at an assigned SMRS Health Hub or Drop-In Services location. Through consistent presence and genuine engagement, the Advocate builds relationships with participants, responds to immediate needs, helps reduce isolation, and creates opportunities for people to participate in activities, connect with others, and access services and support. Everyday interactions help build trust and open the door to greater engagement and wellness. Community Services Advocates also play an important role in overdose prevention and response by recognizing when someone may be at risk and taking appropriate action in accordance with training and established procedures.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Welcome and engage participants and provide exceptional, uncompromising customer service while helping maintain a respectful, welcoming, low-barrier, and participant-centered Drop-In environment.

2. Provide information about Drop-In services, activities, available resources, and use of the space, and connect participants with Supportive Services staff, co-located partners, and other resources as appropriate.

3. Distribute participant supplies, hygiene and basic-needs items, refreshments, and other consumables; assist with inventory and restocking; and accurately track items and services provided as required.

4. Support and facilitate Drop-In activities, groups, workshops, recreational and wellness activities, community events, and other programming while respecting participant choice and encouraging participation and community connection.

5. Help maintain clean, organized, safe, and accessible participant areas throughout the shift, including routine cleaning, restocking, and resetting shared spaces.

6. Conduct routine participant wellness and overdose prevention checks, including restroom rounds and checks of participant areas, in accordance with established schedules and procedures to identify and respond promptly to potential overdoses, medical emergencies, or other safety concerns.

7. Recognize and respond to suspected overdoses and other medical emergencies within the scope of training and established procedures, including administering naloxone, providing rescue breathing/CPR as indicated, activating 911, requesting additional assistance, and supporting post-overdose monitoring and follow-up in coordination with program staff and emergency responders.

8. Utilize crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation techniques to respond effectively to participant concerns, behavioral crises, conflicts, and other challenging situations while prioritizing participant, staff, and community safety.

9. Accurately and promptly complete required program documentation, including services provided, participant supplies, activities, wellness and overdose prevention checks, overdoses, medical emergencies, safety concerns, significant incidents, and other required program performance measures.

10. Complete required program documentation and data collection accurately and on time, including information needed to track services, activities, participant supplies, and other program performance measures.

11. Maintain participant confidentiality and professional boundaries and participate in staff meetings, supervision, required training, and other program activities as required.

12. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent preferred. Relevant lived experience and demonstrated ability to perform the responsibilities of the position may be considered in lieu of formal education or traditional work experience.

2. Minimum of one year of experience providing direct services, participant support, or customer service in a homeless services, behavioral health, social services, Drop-In, shelter, or similar community-based setting preferred.

3. Experience working directly with people experiencing homelessness or individuals with complex service needs preferred.

 

Language and Communication Skills

1. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

2. Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with participants, staff, partners, and visitors.

3. Ability to read, write, and complete basic program documentation clearly and accurately.

 

Other Requirements

1. Current CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain and maintain certification as required by the Agency.

2. Valid government-issued picture identification.

3. Ability to provide exceptional customer service and engage participants, visitors, partners, and colleagues with professionalism, respect, patience, and a welcoming approach.

4. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing participant, program, and operational needs in a fast-paced, participant-centered, low-barrier environment.

5. Willingness and ability to complete required training and participate in overdose prevention and response activities, including overdose recognition, naloxone administration, rescue breathing, CPR, and activation of 911/emergency medical services, as well as de-escalation, crisis intervention, and other required health and safety training.

6. Availability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed, and to work across assigned SMRS Health Hubs and Drop-In Services locations.

7. Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; sit, bend, kneel, reach, and move throughout assigned program locations; and regularly lift and move up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

\nCompany Description

Social Model Recovery Systems (a non-profit 501(c)3 California corporation) provides direct treatment services (at 11 locations in Los Angeles County) for those whose lives have become unmanageable due to alcohol and other drug use and/or whose mental health issues are interfering with leading productive lives. Thousands of individuals have found help in our programs since 1987. We know that ultimately recovery is a personal choice, but we here at Social Model Recovery Systems are here to assist you in your steps to a healthier lifestyle.

Social Model Recovery Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Company Description

Social Model Recovery Systems (a non-profit 501(c)3 California corporation) provides direct treatment services (at 11 locations in Los Angeles County) for those whose lives have become unmanageable due to alcohol and other drug use and/or whose mental health issues are interfering with leading productive lives. Thousands of individuals have found help in our programs since 1987. We know that ultimately recovery is a personal choice, but we here at Social Model Recovery Systems are here to assist you in your steps to a healthier lifestyle.\r\n\r\nSocial Model Recovery Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer.