Job Details
Location: Petworth, West Sussex
Salary: circa £35,000 (joint between couple) with self-contained accommodation (rent free and bills included)
A live-in couple is required full-time to provide housekeeping, ground maintenance and support various activities around the estate. You will need to be well-organised and willing self-starters, who can perform duties to a high standard without constant supervision.
The role requires significant commitment in terms of time, as well as the flexibility to adapt to the changing nature of the owners’ diaries, who spends extended periods travelling and therefore a 24/7 presence is required on the property.
You must be reliable, presentable, have excellent attention to detail, be energetic and hardworking with a desire to carry out all tasks to a consistently high standard. The successful couple will be living in a recently refurbished self-contained accommodation, within the premises ground, and a car will also be provided for work.
Applications from ex-military personnel (Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Marines) will be particularly relevant for this role and are strongly encouraged.
Main Duties:
The live-in couple will be responsible for the routine maintenance of the 7-bedroom family house, its outlying dwellings and elements of the gardens and grounds. All children have now left but come back for weekends; therefore the house is often left empty.
With its ideal location within the South Downs National Park, you will have great access to excellent walks, both on the estate and nearby. There is a mainline rail station less than 10 miles away, with regular trains to central London.
Key responsibilities include:
- Care of the outdoor swimming pool
- Maintenance of grass tennis court
- Help in vegetable garden
- Hedge cutting
- Maintenance of drains and gutters
- Leaf clearing
- Field and fence maintenance
- Care of machinery to include tractors and lawnmowers
- Dog walking and care (vet visits when the owner is away)
- Housekeeping duties are also required such as cleaning, laundry, ironing, managing bedrooms but could be part-time (for example maximum of 10 hours per week) due to other help being employed on an ad-hoc basis with cleaning and ironing.
- Help with shopping, cooking as well as running errands
- Required, from time to time, to supervise/oversee an 84 year old lady family member, who lives next door
Personal Specification and Requirements:
The successful couple will have 2 days off a week but weekend help will be required. You will be comfortable in the service environment, with a professional and committed approach, and have excellent communication skills, strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail.
Essential:
- Must hold a current and in date UK driving license
- Good communication skills and high standards of presentation
- Problem solving and use of initiative
- Attention to detail
- Must have the ability to work effectively under pressure and be able to react to changing priorities
Desirable:
- Previous facilities/estate management experience
- Experience working in the service industry
Salary: circa £35,000(joint between couple)
Benefits:
- Nest Pension Scheme
- Recently refurbished self-contained accommodation offered on the premises, comprising a 1-bed room, bathroom and living space (known as a shepherd’s hut).
- Rent free and bills included
- Broadband line
This job is no longer available for new applications.
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