Houseparents | A Career Worth Every Minute
Houseparenting: Make a Difference
Milton Hershey School employs over 200 houseparent couples to work together and live with a group of students over several years. A houseparent’s role is to be there as each child grows up and be someone they can trust. They teach skills and values outside of the classroom to help them succeed.
We offer both full-time and part-time employment opportunities. Register for an upcoming webinar to learn more about the houseparent role and meet with the recruitment team.
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Life-Changing Employment Opportunities
At Milton Hershey School, careers are worth every minute. It is as much a lifestyle as it is a job. Learn more about how you can become part of the MHS family.
What It Takes
Our goal is to help ensure you have everything you need to have the greatest possible impact. Being a houseparent is a huge responsibility and the requirements of the job are rigorous. But it’s an equally great opportunity to change the lives of young people.
If you are dedicated to impacting children’s lives, we encourage you to explore the houseparenting role. The application process for houseparent positions is lengthy. Over the course of several months, you will have the opportunity to learn about the position and assess if it’s an opportunity that fits you and your spouse.
Daily Life as Houseparents
The houseparent role gives married couples the opportunity to provide a consistent, family-like structure students can rely on. Daily houseparent responsibilities include transporting students to and from school, ordering groceries and cooking, managing chores, and more.
Tour HomesTake a Virtual Campus Tour
Becoming a full-time houseparent means building a life in the welcoming community of Hershey, Pennsylvania. You’ll find lots to discover when you live, work, and play in the town built on chocolate.
Explore a Houseparent Apartment
Drag to see a 360-degree view of a houseparent apartment attached to a student home. Then, click to engage with interactive content.
Why Become Houseparents?
Houseparents are passionate about the critical role they play in supporting our students. It’s so much more than a job—it’s a purpose.
Flex Houseparenting: Your First Position
When first hired, couples start out as flex houseparents. You’ll shadow current houseparents to learn more about the role and best practices. Flex couples also stand in when a current couple takes time off. While the flex schedule can be demanding, the insights learned during this time will prove invaluable once you’re assigned to a student home of your own.
You and your spouse aren’t alone—there are over 200 houseparent couples who are working through the same challenges. They form a supportive community that you can lean on, learn from, and spend time with.
Part-Time Weekend Houseparents
MHS hires relief houseparents who work every other weekend, beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday and ending at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. While on duty, relief houseparents have access to all meals and a private apartment attached to the student home for family time.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in hiring, promotion or any terms or conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion or religious creed, veteran status, disability or any other status protected under applicable federal or Pennsylvania law.
Accessibility
If you are having trouble viewing any webpages on mhskids.org or completing an online MHS job application, please call 717-520-2000 or email [email protected] for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re sure you want to know even more about houseparenting. Check out answers to some common questions.
Other Ways to Serve at MHS
Houseparenting isn’t the right fit for everyone. But if you still want to serve our students, check out our other job openings.