Youth Development Specialist

About Milton Hershey School

Located in Hershey, PA, Milton Hershey School (MHS) is a premier home and school providing an extraordinary, cost-free, career-focused education to over 2,200 pre-K through 12th-grade students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Established in 1909 by Milton and Catherine Hershey, the school was fully endowed to ensure its longevity. Thanks to their foresight, MHS has graduated over 12,000 students and continues to expand its mission to serve more children in need.

About the Role

MHS is seeking married couples to serve as Full-time Flex Houseparents in a unique, life-changing career. In this role, couples reside in on-campus student homes to provide care, guidance, supervision, and support for a group of approximately 8–13 students. Flex Houseparents are vital to creating a structured, family-like environment that fosters students' academic, emotional, and social development, enabling them to reach their full potential.

The position begins with a flexible schedule where houseparents support various student homes, working nine consecutive days on duty followed by three days off. During weekdays, houseparents have unscheduled time while students are in school. Over time, successful Flex Houseparents transition into a Placed Houseparent role, living and working permanently with the same group of students in their own home.

This career requires a high level of commitment to student success from both spouses. The environment is Judeo-Christian, with houseparents leading daily devotions and accompanying students to Sunday Chapel services (proselytizing is prohibited). The campus is smoke-free and weapon-free, with no alcohol permitted while on duty.

Application Process

This is a two-person role requiring both spouses to be legally married for at least two years and at least 27 years of age. For consideration, both spouses must complete individual employment applications. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, please visit www.mhskids.org.

Our Commitment to Diversity

MHS is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. We value the unique backgrounds and perspectives that all applicants bring to our mission of serving children from disadvantaged families.