Experienced Housekeeper needed for a private house on a traditional estate one hour south of Edinburgh near Peebles. This rural property has a wonderful sense of community and the previous Housekeeper was with the Principal for 12 years.
Above all the role of the Housekeeper is to create a comfortable, tidy and well-run private residential environment within the house. Applicants must be flexible, reliable, well presented, discrete, and highly organised.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Meet and greet visitors, workmen, and take any deliveries.
• Coordinate activities with the other staff on a daily basis and organise temporary staff.
• In coordination with the Caretakers, ensure the security of the house and participate in monitoring the alarm systems. Remain vigilant for issues with building systems.
• Errands and shopping for supplies. Some driving.
• Flower arranging and care of house plants. Assisting gardeners with the kitchen garden and general gardening
• Answer telephone, emails, messages and post
• General housekeeping, light cleaning, laundry and coordination with the part-time cleaner
• Assistance with food preparation; the Principal is the main cook. Help with meal service when guests are in residence.
• Pet sitting 2 large dogs – daily walking and, very occasionally, overnight.
• Prepare bedrooms and bathrooms for arrival of guests and help them to settle in.
The property is very occasionally used commercially for events such as fashion photo shoots and conferences. The Housekeeper's primary role is to protect the house, enforce fire safety procedures and coordinate proper use of the house by visitors and event-staff.
The house is also the main hub of the Estate's larger community and, as such, the Housekeeper will participate in various activities and duties related to the community such as coordination of Village Hall reservations & use.
Accommodation: Part of the main house at garden level – very spacious flat with a sitting room, bedroom, bathroom, and adjacent eat-in kitchen.
Package Includes: £20,000 annual salary + all utility bills, water, firewood, telephone, TV licence, super-fast broadband, laundry facilities, fitness centre membership, and Council Tax are included. Use of the Estate car is also permitted for personal use within the local area.
Hours: 40 per week some flexibility is required.
Days: Monday to Friday but must be flexible, some weekends.
Please apply with CV.