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-39% vs. median posted rate for behavioral health roles in New York ($30.33/hr, n=3635)
$1.00/hr · lowesthighest · $42,250/hr
this role: $18.45/hrmedian $30.33/hr
Shaded band: the middle 50% of 3,635 posted behavioral health roles in New York rates. This role sits in the 21st percentile.
About the role
Pay for this role is about 39% below the New York median for behavioral health roles.
The Senior Direct Support Professional provides daily supervision, care, and therapeutic support to children and adolescents in a community residence. They are responsible for implementing service plans, facilitating life skills, and managing crisis situations while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team.
PURPOSE
The Jewish Board’s Community Behavioral Health treatment programs provide compassionate, high quality, evidence-based services to individuals and families in the communities we serve. Our staff uses a culturally competent, person centered approach to help individuals and their families develop skills and resources to improve overall functioning, to instill hope, and to strengthen resiliency. Our programs work closely with community partners to address health disparities in our neighborhoods while also celebrating the strengths and resilience of our communities. Our children’s community residences are single site residence’s that provide a group living for eight children and/or adolescents. The program provides a supervised, trauma informed therapeutic environment which seeks to develop the resident's skills and capacity to live in the community and attend school/work as appropriate.
Position
OVERVIEW: The senior direct support professional (SDSP) works with children and adolescents in the community residence and is responsible for the supervision, care and skill building related to the youth’s individual service and treatment plans. The SDSP serves as a positive role model while providing therapeutic support, trauma informed care, and supervision. All responsibilities are to be carried out in accordance with the standards of regulatory bodies and of the Jewish Board.
KEY
Essential
FUNCTIONS: Function as a senior member of the DSP department.
Responsible for the day-to-day care of the youth in the program, including but not limited to assisting youth with maintenance of their personal hygiene, social skill guidance, development of life skills, use of leisure/recreation time, meal planning and preparation, and service plan objectives.
Develop, supervise, and implement therapeutic recreational activities.
Accompany and supervise youth on recreational trips and activities.
May be called upon to work one-on-one with a youth who is displaying significant stress or assist with management of crisis related to the safety and care of the clients. This may include managing environmental issues.
Drive, escort, and supervise the youth to medical, behavioral health providers, school, socialization or other required appointments.
Provide feedback and insights to the supervisor and treatment team, such as observations of the youth and response to interventions. Feedback must be provided verbally and through documentation to the supervisor and members of the treatment team. ***Unusual and crisis oriented behaviors must be reported live/immediately to a supervisor immediately.
SDSPs are required to prepare and cook meals for residents and fellow CR staff within their residence.
Requirements
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver's license. Strong communication skills, the ability to work independently, and a commitment to trauma-informed care are essential for this role.
high school
Documentation
Microsoft Office
Communication skills
Life skills training
Crisis intervention
Meal planning
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Case management
Trauma informed care
Safety management
Behavioral health
Electronic health records
Direct support
Engagement skills
Therapeutic recreation
Posting details
Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
0-2 yrs
Salary
$18 - $18/hr
Location
New York
Posted
Sep 8, 2026
Application
Employer website
Assist in maintaining a safe and clean environment.
Work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary therapeutic team by implementing culturally affirming and trauma informed interventions and skill building as outlined in treatment and service planning.
Liaise with families, schools, healthcare providers, hospitals, criminal justice, and other community agencies in order to provide appropriate care and supervision of youth.
Perform these services in the community residence, family/resource’s home, community and via telehealth (when applicable).
Participate in clinical treatment team meetings, staff meetings, trainings, and supervision.
Maintain all documentation according to the standards and time frames established by the Jewish Board, regulatory agencies and/or funding sources
Maintain professional behaviors and ethical standards as established by licensing board, relevant professional association and the Jewish Board policies and procedures.
The ability to travel and navigate the community in order to provide services where the youth and family will benefit most from the services delivered.
Assist in orienting families/resources of the youth to the services provided by and in collaboration with the program.
Provide crisis intervention.
Additional duties as assigned.
Additional
Functions
MAY
INCLUDE:
Must attend, participate and successfully complete the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification and recertifications.
Must attend, participate and successfully complete MAT training (Medication Administration Training).
Must attend and participate in the ongoing training and consultation of the evidenced based model utilized within the program.
Provide supervision of youth and oversight of the program.
Educational /Training
Required:
High school diploma or equivalent.
A valid driver’s license is required to meet all insurance requirements.
CORE
COMPETENCIES for the position include:
Excellent engagement skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Attention to detail
Ability to work independently as well as with a team
Computer
SKILLS
Required:
Ability to utilize an electronic health record and
Microsoft
Office
Experience
Required /
Language
Preference:
Bilingual Spanish/English a plus
Verbal and communication skills
Ability to work as a team player
VISUAL
AND
MANUAL
DEXTERITY: The candidate should be able to read paper and electronic documents and perform data entry into various computer programs. Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to travel independently using public transportation and/or vehicle.
WORK
Environment /
Physical
EFFORT: Services are provided in the community and the office
While the offices of the Jewish Board are accessible in accordance with the ADA, the sites to which staff may need to travel may or may not be
Risks/hazards associated with the position are those which may be encountered traveling around New York City. We are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Market context
Behavioral health roles in New York
Behavioral health roles in New York are often in steady demand, especially for clinicians who can support diverse age groups and handle assessments or admissions. These positions can be competitive because employers commonly look for independent licensure, while also considering associate-level candidates with clear growth toward full licensure. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your licensure status and assessment experience before applying.
