Job Description
Job Description
1 to 1 Child Care Counselor
About Rising Ground
Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in New York City.
About 1:1 Youth Supervision
The 1:1 Child Care Counselor provides direct care and support to children and adolescents in the residential treatment center setting. This role involves helping clients address emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges while fostering a safe, nurturing environment. The 1:1 counselor works closely with a multidisciplinary team to implement treatment plans, monitor progress, and support the overall therapeutic goals of the center.
What You’ll Do
Key Responsibilities:
1:1 Supervision and Youth Support
- Maintain constant line-of-sight supervision of the assigned youth at all times, including transitions, meals, hygiene, recreational activities, and programming.
- Support youth in following structured daily routines, promoting independence and positive behavior.
- Accompany youth on community outings or school-related activities when required, ensuring safety and supervision.
- Collaborate regularly with clinical and residential team members to ensure consistency in approach and awareness of youth’s triggers, coping strategies, and treatment goals.
- Prevent elopement and ensure youth remain in designated areas unless properly authorized to leave.
- Promptly notify Supervisor, AOD, or clinical team of any incidents, behavioral escalations, or safety concerns.
- Assist with de-escalation and crisis prevention using TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) principles and trauma-informed practices.
- Implement behavior support plans, safety protocols, and individual coping strategies.
- Document all interactions and observations on required logs, including 1:1 daily tracking sheets, incident reports, and shift notes. Ensure all relevant documentation is completed accurately and submitted in a timely manner.
- Remain fully alert and engaged—no unauthorized phone use, distractions, or sleeping while on duty.
- Ensure youth does not leave the designated area or campus without proper authorization.
- Follow assigned schedule and communicate promptly with supervisors about changes or emergencies.
- Complete shift sign in sheet and sign
- 1:1 staff are required to participate in the following, unless otherwise covered by an administrator or assigned staff:
- Monthly 1:1 supervision (individual or group)
- Required training related to 1:1 supervision and safety
- Family treatment conferences and other relevant interdisciplinary meetings, as needed
Your Qualifications
- High School Diploma/GED required.
- A safe driving record as determined by NYS Department of Motor Vehicles
- Experience Minimum of 5 years of experience in a residential treatment or special education setting, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
- Experience working with children or adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or developmental disabilities in a residential, educational, or therapeutic setting.
- Strong understanding of state and federal regulations governing residential treatment programs and special education services.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively with students, families, school personnel, and external agencies.
- Ability to manage complex cases, implement treatment plans, and provide crisis intervention when necessary.
- Commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive, and therapeutic environment for all students.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Supervisory Responsibility
Yes/No
Work Environment:
This position is based out of our Yonkers Residential Treatment Center location for adolescents ages 12-21.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This position is part of a 24/7 residential program, and shift assignments are based on the needs of the youth and the program. Typical 1:1 supervision shifts include: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM, 9:00 PM – 7:00 AM. Staff may be required to remain on shift beyond scheduled hours if immediate relief is unavailable, to maintain continuity of care and ensure a safe, supportive environment for youth. Flexibility in scheduling is essential and may be necessary to meet changing program needs.
Additional Requirements:
Professional Practice
- Arrive at work on time, respecting other shift workers and programmatic needs.
- At all times, model the appropriate dress, speech and behavior for residents. This includes dressing professionally or in designated work uniforms/dress code if prescribed.
- Professionally representing the agency when speaking with parents, community members or other stakeholders.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with adolescents and staff; Respond to all requests in a professional and courteous manner.
- Respect the privacy of all individuals and maintain client confidentiality as prescribed by law and in Agency policies.
- Assume the expected role of the treatment team and maintain collaborative relations with members.
- Maintain and promote a cooperative, harmonious, teamwork environment within the workplace. Maintain and promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the philosophy and policies of Rising Ground.
- Become knowledgeable of all RTC policies and procedures; modeling, training and actively supervising the use of each.
- Attend all mandatory or recommended staff development workshops/trainings.
- Show organizational commitment which includes understanding and actively supporting the mission, policies and procedures protecting the integrity of the Agency.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Fairness, and Belonging
Rising Ground is comprised of unique and valued individuals who together make the organization effective in assisting the children, adults and families who come to us for support. We believe that only when all employees contribute fully as their true selves can Rising Ground's true strength, vision, and values come to fruition. We recognize the ubiquitous social biases and structures that impact and shape the experiences of all people, including our own staff and people supported. Among the many biases present in our society that shape our personal and professional experiences race, gender, sexual orientation, and gender expression are all factors that can present hurdles. As such, Rising Ground is committed to being an anti-racist and inclusive organization that will actively strive to overcome both systemic and interpersonal biases that perpetuate oppression.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all
employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s
perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, gender
identity, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or
veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring,
compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.