Houseparent Job Description & Criteria
Houseparents Make a Difference
As a houseparent, you and your spouse will work closely with students. This is your chance to truly make an impact on students’ lives. You’ll serve as role models, help build character, and teach life lessons and core values.
Houseparents care for students in a home-like environment. This helps the school stay true to the original vision of MHS: to raise students in a nurturing, residential setting. Read our houseparent description and criteria.
Job Description
As a residential school, we have the chance to care for the needs of the whole child. Houseparents play a critical role in ensuring student success in every aspect of their life.
Houseparents live in and manage homes of approx. eight to 12 students of the same gender and age range. You’ll assist with homework, oversee chores, and prepare meals. Though you’ll also bond with the students by playing board games, enjoying outdoor activities, and more. All of this creates a family-like atmosphere in the student homes.
Daily Life as a Houseparent
Before School
Houseparents help students prepare for the school day. They provide a nutritious breakfast, make sure students are dressed and ready for their school day, lead a daily devotion, and ensure students get to school on time.
During the School Day
During school hours, houseparents have unscheduled time to take care of their personal needs. They can enjoy the amenities on campus by taking advantage of our walking paths and fitness center. We even have an outdoor swimming pool for the summer. There also are many things to do in the town of Hershey.
Evenings
Houseparents are in high gear, ensuring students have a nutritious meal, do chores and homework, get to and from extracurricular activities, and get sufficient sleep.
Weekends
Weekend schedules are less structured. Houseparents can enjoy recreational activities with the students. There are many options, such as local cultural events in Hershey or surrounding areas. Sunday Chapel Service is a requirement for all students and on-duty houseparents.
Houseparent Job Criteria
Student needs come first at Milton Hershey School, and the couples caring for them are dedicated to each student’s growth. As houseparents, you are responsible for the health and well-being of your students while on duty. You commit to a schedule of 9 days on, followed by three days off. You’ll also receive ongoing training and development to assist in helping our students succeed.
To make sure all of our houseparent couples are a good fit, we have rigorous requirements. See if you and your spouse are a good match to nurture, support, and protect our students.
Requirements
- Couples must be legally married for at least two years or more
- Twenty-seven years of age or more preferred for both spouses
- Minimum of high school diploma or GED
- No more than three dependent children in residence
- Demonstrated successful experience (paid or volunteer) working with children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds
- Able and willing to work in student homes of either gender and any age group (pre-K through 12th grade)
- Ability to successfully complete an extensive clearance process
- Ability to meet the health and physical requirements of the position
- Driving records and credit history in good standing
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to nurture students’ spiritual development as part of the MHS Religious Education Program
- One dog may be permitted (certain breeds prohibited)
Benefits Package
As a houseparent, you are an employee of Milton Hershey School. Full-time employees are eligible for a benefits package, including paid time off, insurance, and financial benefits.
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.
Request More Information
Thinking about houseparenting? Sign up for our Houseparent Talent Network to learn more about the position and stay up-to-date on openings.
Other Careers 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. You may be surprised at the variety of roles we need on campus.
