House Parent

What this is

This isn't a typical job. It's a life choice, and it's done as a married team.

Milton Hershey School provides a completely free, career focused education to kids from disadvantaged backgrounds. The school is fully endowed, so there's no cost to the families. You'd be part of making that mission real every day.

The role is called a Full time Flex Houseparent. You and your spouse would live right on campus in a student home, providing care and guidance for a group of 8 to 13 students. Your job is to build a structured, family like environment where these kids can grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

What you'll do together

• Provide daily supervision, mentorship, and support for the students in your home.
• Manage all household routines and make sure everyone gets where they need to be.
• Handle student wellness; that includes administering medications.
• Drive students to their activities in campus vans.
• Plan and actually jump into developmental and recreational activities with them.
• Lead daily devotions and accompany your students to Sunday Chapel services.
• Oversee the home budget and complete necessary household reporting.

The schedule & how it works

You start as a Flex Houseparent. That means you'll support various student homes across campus. Your working schedule is nine consecutive days on duty, followed by three full days off. On weekdays when the students are in school, you have unscheduled time for yourselves.

After this initial period, you'll transition into a Placed Houseparent role. Then you'll have your own dedicated student home and work with the same group of kids long term.

What you need to qualify

• This is exclusively for legally married couples; you must have been married for at least two years.
• Both spouses need to be 27 years of age or older.
• A high school diploma or GED is required for both of you.
• You both need valid U.S. driver's licenses and must be able to get certified to drive the student home vans.
• Experience working or volunteering with youth is necessary.
• You must be comfortable leading students in daily devotions and going with them to Judeo Christian Sunday Chapel services; proselytizing is not allowed.
• Campus life has clear rules: it's smoke free and weapon free. No alcohol is permitted while you're on duty.
• The school allows pets but with limits: only fish and one dog from an approved list of breeds are permitted in the student home.
• A couple can have no more than three dependent children living with them in the student home.
• The job requires you to lift up to 50 pounds sometimes.

The commitment & what we provide

The salary is $44,768 per person. But look at the total picture for a couple: it comes out to about $168,000 in total compensation when you factor everything in.

A place to live: