Milton Hershey School (MHS) is seeking a Higher Education Support Specialist to inspire, educate, 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 grads through their post-secondary experience to help increase their college persistence and completion rates. Most MHS graduates are first generation college students.

The Specialist is responsible for:
Proactively building positive and trusting relationships with recent grads to enable transparent conversations enabling the Specialist to provide meaningful guidance, direction, and support on a timely basis to graduates.
Providing frequent, relevant, informative and helpful outreach and updates to their student case load.
Frequently visiting students on their post-secondary school campuses. (60% travel)
Partnering with students’ institutions of learning to ensure students are actively participating in relevant programming to ensure student success.
Monitoring student progress including their academic schedules, academic progress, utilization of their scholarship funding, and more.
Facilitating additional supports as needed, as well as challenging students to take necessary steps to ensure success.
Partner closely with high school guidance counselors as seniors develop their post-secondary plans.
Teach classes and conduct training sessions for students.
Collaborate with other MHS staff to organize special events, align efforts, and ensure continuity.
Develop and maintain reporting and analysis to monitor progress and identify strategies for continuous improvement.
Pro-actively self-educate to ensure knowledge and strategies are current and best practice.

Qualifications:
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.
Demonstrated success in inspiring & facilitating student success.
Exceptional interpersonal skills including the ability to influence, lead, educate and collaborate.
Exceptional organizational and time management skills.
Proficiency with social media and Microsoft applications. Familiarity with Apple applications a plus.
Eager to travel frequently. 60% travel including some overnight travel.
Driver’s license in good standing required.
Candidates must demonstrate a high degree of integrity as all MHS staff are considered role models for MHS students.
Candidates should be willing to actively engage with students beyond the scope of their job responsibilities.