Located in Hershey, PA, Milton Hershey School (MHS) is a tuition free, home, and private school for over 2,000 Pre-K through 12th grade students. Founded in 1909 by Milton and Catherine Hershey, the lives of more than 11,000 students have been positively transformed through MHS’s high-quality career-focused education, nurturing home life, and extensive extra-curricular opportunities. And we are growing to serve more students!

MHS is seeking a Higher Education Support Specialist to inspire, advise, and guide recent MHS graduates as they pursue their higher education degrees and certifications. The Specialist plays a key role in supporting and guiding recent graduates through their post-secondary experience to help increase their college persistence and completion rates. Most MHS graduates are first generation college students. This position is responsible for supporting approximately 200 college students at a variety of college campuses across the state and country.

The Specialist is responsible for:

• Proactively building positive and trusting relationships with recent graduates to foster transparent conversations enabling the Specialist to provide meaningful guidance, direction, and support in a timely manner to graduates.
• Providing frequent, relevant, informative, and helpful outreach and updates to their graduate case load.
• Visiting graduates on their post-secondary school campuses. (60% travel)
• Partnering with graduates’ institutions of learning to ensure graduates are actively participating in relevant programming to ensure student success.
• Monitoring graduate progress (reviewing academic schedules, academic progress, utilization of scholarship funding, and more).
• Periodically co-present senior seminar courses teaching seniors about higher education and postsecondary success.
• Collaborate with other MHS staff to organize special events, align efforts, and ensure continuity.
• Maintain accurate records to monitor student progress and identify strategies for continuous improvement.
• Pro-actively self-educate to ensure knowledge and strategies are current and best practices are being followed.

This is an on-site position located in Hershey, PA when not visiting students on campus. In addition to competitive pay, full-time employees are eligible for an excellent benefits package that includes paid time off, medical, vision & dental insurance, and financial benefits. Starting pay is in the range of $60,832-$81,211 pay is determined based on experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology or closely affiliated degree.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with high school seniors and/or first-generation college students.
• Experience working with diverse and underrepresented populations.
• Experience in higher education - academic advising preferred.
• Demonstrated success in inspiring & facilitating graduate success.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills - including the ability to influence, lead, educate and collaborate.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated flexibility when plans or situations change unexpectedly.
• Proficiency with social media and Microsoft applications. Familiarity with Apple applications a plus.
• Willing to travel frequently. 60% travel - including some overnight travel.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Candidates must demonstrate a high degree of integrity as all MHS staff are considered role models for MHS students and graduates.