Youth Development Specialist

Description:

Milton Hershey School (MHS) is hiring married couples to be houseparents. Houseparents live with and supervise eight-12 students in student homes on MHS’s campus in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They provide a nurturing home environment to ensure students maintain a healthy consistent routine and develop life skills.  Houseparents have a lasting impact. That’s why it’s a career that’s worth every minute!  

Houseparent Schedule:

• Nine days on, three days off
• Mornings: Prepare students for the school day
• School daytime: Attend trainings or enjoy personal time
• Afternoons and evenings: Extracurriculars, chores, meals, homework, and more
• Weekends & Summers: Time for enrichment, recreation, and relaxation.

Houseparents collaborate extensively with students’ families and other MHS staff to foster student success and build a community of caregivers. They also handle responsibilities such as driving, administering medication, budgeting, reporting, etc.  

Houseparents are responsible for all aspects of student development including spiritual well-being. Couples lead students in daily devotions and take students to Judeo-Christian Sunday chapel services. More info about MHS Religious Programs is available via this link.  Proselytizing is prohibited. 

Houseparents are first hired in a flex role in which couples work together in different student homes until they’re assigned their own home.

Benefits:

• Salary of $42,000 per person
• Housing and utilities provided
• Meals while on duty
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Relocation assistance

Qualification:

This job is a life choice and has unique parameters including:    

• Experience working or volunteering with youth, preferably youth from under-served settings. 
• This is a two-person job for couples legally married for at least three years.
• Both spouses should be age 27 or older.
• No more than two dependent children may reside in the student home.
• Abide by a smoke free and weapon free campus.  No alcohol is permitted while on duty.
• Limitations on pets.  Only fish or one dog of approved breeds permitted. 
• Valid driver’s license in good standing and willing to drive a nine-passenger van.
• Skills include leadership, interpersonal, organizational, administrative, computer, budgeting, flexibility, and persistence. 
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.  
• Candidates should demonstrate a high degree of integrity as all MHS staff are role models for students.  
• Please note – both spouses must complete an individual employment application to be considered.