Program Assistants Horticulture Center, Part-Time

Program Assistants - Horticulture Center, Part-Time )

Milton Hershey School (MHS) is one of the world’s best pre‑K through 12th grade private schools, where approximately 2,200 students from disadvantaged backgrounds are provided with a cost‑free home and a top‑notch education. Thanks to the generosity of Milton and Catherine Hershey in 1909, the school is fully endowed today, with the resources to ensure students can thrive. The school has prepared over 12,000 graduates to lead fulfilling and productive lives and is expanding to serve more students.

MHS is seeking two part‑time Program Assistants for the School’s Horticultural Center, Greenhouses, and gardens
. These assistants will support the full‑time Horticulture Coordinator by strengthening the MHS Horticulture Center’s instructional programs and operational excellence. One assistant will focus on floral design and arrangement skills
, and the other on houseplant care and propagation techniques
. These competencies will enhance experiential learning opportunities for students, ensuring they gain practical, industry‑relevant skills aligned with the School’s Agricultural and Environmental Education (AEE) Program literacy standards.

The Center sustains high‑quality horticultural practices
, improves integration of hands‑on learning into classroom instruction
, and proactively expands program offerings. In collaboration with the coordinator, these roles will contribute to program management
, activity oversight
, and student engagement
, guaranteeing authentic, real‑world experiences that prepare students for success in horticulture and related fields.

• Support Instructional Advisors at the Horticultural Center to provide engaging, authentic, hands‑on educational experiences in the center, which includes greenhouses, hydroponics, and outdoor gardens.
• Facilitate educational and inspiring after‑school clubs and other horticultural activities and programs.
• Support operational functions that ensure the greenhouses and gardens are healthy, well‑maintained, and annually productive with products students can plant, nurture, harvest, and sell.
• Utilize greenhouse mechanical systems.
• Assist with greenhouse and outdoor garden management (cultivar selection, scheduling, crop management, harvesting).
• Assist with integrated pest management systems, as well as fungicide and pesticide applications.

• High School diploma or GED. Degree in horticulture or agriculture recommended.
• Demonstrated success in ensuring healthy and productive greenhouse crops and gardens.
• Knowledge of greenhouse and gardening management is preferred.
• Knowledge of integrated pest management systems, as well as fungicide and pesticide application. PA Pesticide Applicators license a plus.
• Demonstrated success with hydroponics preferred.
• Demonstrated success in providing youth with engaging agricultural or horticultural educational programming.
• Experience with diverse Pre‑K‑12 grade students from lower‑income backgrounds a plus.
• Proficient with Microsoft applications, Google Docs, and Internet, as well as the ability to effectively incorporate various technologies into educational experiences.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate, lead, educate, and inspire.
• Ability to work an average of 29 hours/week on a flexible schedule (including weekends as needed).
• Candidates must demonstrate a high degree of integrity, as all MHS staff are role models for MHS students.
• Candidates must be willing to actively engage with students beyond the scope of their job responsibilities.

Monday‑Friday, including some weekends and evenings, up to 29 hours per week. Starting pay is in the range of $22.33 – $29.81/hour, pay is determined based on experience. This is an on‑site position located in Hershey, PA.

Part‑time

Milton Hershey School does not discriminate in admissions or other programs and services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religious creed or disability. Equal opportunity and diversity, equal employment opportunity, and more.