Program Assistant Project Market, Part-Time

Program Assistant Project Market, Part-Time

Located in Hershey, PA, Milton Hershey School (MHS) is a top-notch home and school where over 2,000 pre-K through 12th grade students from disadvantaged backgrounds are provided with an extraordinary cost-free, career-focused education. This is made possible by the generosity of Milton and Catherine Hershey, who established the school in 1909 and ensured it was fully endowed. Thanks to that foresight and generosity, the school has over 12,000 graduates and is expanding to serve more students.

MHS is seeking a part-time Program Assistant to support the continued success and growth of the student-run Project Market and Ice Cream Center at the School’s Agricultural and Environmental Education Centers. This role is essential in ensuring smooth retail operations and creating authentic, hands-on learning experiences for students. By collaborating with student workers, staff, and teachers, you will help strengthen entrepreneurial skills, enhance career readiness, and maintain the high standards that make these programs a valuable educational and community resource.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily operations of Project Market and Ice Cream Center, including recipe preparation, pricing, inventory management, merchandising, and retail sales.

• Collaborate with student interns and agriculture-themed homes to prepare and display products.

• Ensure quality and consistency of handmade crafts, produce, plants, and specialty items.

• Support experiential learning by working closely with students and teachers in the Agriculture Business course.

• Providing guidance on business practices, customer service, and marketing strategies.

• Assisting in developing educational materials related to retail and entrepreneurship.

• Coordinate with the Horticulture Coordinator to align activities with broader horticultural and educational programs.

• Assist in planning seasonal promotions and community engagement events.

Schedule & Compensation: Flexible schedule based on seasonal program needs. Monday–Friday, with occasional weekends and evenings. Up to 29 hours per week. Starting pay: $22.33 – $29.81/hour (based on experience).

• 
  High School Diploma or GED required. Degree in horticulture or agriculture recommended.

• Minimum 1 year of experience with greenhouse production and practices.

• Ice Cream production experience a plus.

• Demonstrated success in providing adolescents with engaging agricultural educational programming.

• Valid PA driver’s license in good standing.

• Experience in safe food handling preferred.

• NSF ServSafe Certification or ability to obtain upon hire.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in a collaborative environment.

• Comfortable working outdoors for extended periods, including inclement weather.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work with diverse populations.

• Knowledge of retail industry a plus.

• Proficiency in Microsoft and Google Suites; familiarity with Square POS preferred.

• Exceptional organizational skills to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

• Ability to work an average of 29 hours/week on a flexible schedule (including weekends as needed).

• High degree of integrity and commitment to serving as a positive role model for students.

• Willingness to actively engage with students beyond core job responsibilities.