Live in Housekeeper in Scotland - TD11

Job Descriptions

HNW Family are looking for an experienced and professional housekeeper to ensure their home is maintained to the highest standard. The lodge should be kept in a state of preparation for occupancy at all times, allowing for family/guests to arrive at short notice. Therefore the standard of cleaning and general upkeep of the Lodge is top notch.

Located in Berkwickshire TD11 in Scotland, the hours of work will be 8am - 4pm Mon -Fri when not in residence, but flexibility will be needed and whatever hours required to be worked when the house is occupied - weekends included in this time.

Daily duties include:

Daily Duties:

• Check light bulbs. Replace as necessary.
• Cleaning and vacuuming of the stairs, and landings usually twice weekly, or more frequently if necessary. (The vacuum should not be used in the Lodge when occupied until everyone is awake).
• Care of fine furniture and fabrics with the appropriate products. Wood and marble furniture to be polished as and when required to keep in pristine condition.
• Ensure that the Laundry Room is always clean and well organised.
• Check every room in the house daily.

General Responsibilities (during family visits):

• Cleaning, vacuuming and laying the fires within the Lodge. Estate gardeners to supply the fire wood to be distributed within the Lodge accordingly.
• Laundry, Boot Room, Gun Room, Drying Room (and associated areas) to be kept clean and tidy at all times.
• Ordering and arranging flowers as required.
• Keep an eye on the flower arrangements and houseplants. Ensure that there are no spillages. Water, deadhead, replace as required.

Laundering as follows:

oFamily and guest laundry.

oBed and table linen.

oTo take clothes/linen to the dry cleaners as instructed.

oBed linen should be changed at least every four days or more frequently when necessary, and on changeover of guests.

Turn down procedure when family/guests in residence:

• Curtains closed, lights on and beds turned down.
• When family in residence bottled water to be placed in suites and replenished as and when required (sometimes twice daily).
• Driving for family, guests, shopping and other Estate duties as required.
• Shopping as required. Supplies and store control in the Lodge. Maintaining adequate stores of all household consumables and food products.
• Table service – kitchen assistant and helping the Butler as required.

General Responsibilities (between visits):

• Maintain a programme of thorough, regular, ‘Spring Cleaning’ throughout the Lodge.
• Polish the wooden floors with the help of the Housemaid(s) and Butler/House Manager
• The cleaning of the inside of the windows including their thresholds.
• Instruct the window cleaner to come as and when required to do the exterior of the Lodge.
• Organise the chimney sweep on an annual basis (at the beginning of August).
• All taps should be turned on and run and toilets flushed once a week.
• Clean fridges and freezers.
• Ensure the cleaning products and toiletry store rooms are sufficiently stocked. Stock control record to be updated on a monthly basis.
• Any breakages and damages to items from the household should be reported to the Butler/House Manager and recorded in the Damages and Repairs Book.
• Monitor the house perimeter and ensure that paintwork and window ledges are kept clean and cobweb free and that path ways are swept and tidy at all times.
• General upkeep of the interior of the Chapel, including the cleaning and care of priests’ vestments and altar accessories (Church plate, linen, silver, etc).Ensure a sufficient supply of candles is maintained.
• Farmhouse – The Farmhouse should be kept clean and tidy at all times as use for overflow / additional staff accommodation.
• Lunch Hut – The Head House keeper will ensure that the Lunch hut is clean and tidy, fire is working and fire wood available prior to the shoot season in August.
• The Castle must be hoovered and dusted on a weekly basis with all taps, toilets and baths run on a weekly basis. Deep cleans will be required before occupation / lets.

NOTE:

• Training can/will be given if required to develop the necessary skills to ensure that tasks are carried out to expectation.
• These notes are intended to be used only as a general guide. Certain circumstances will require that working methods are adjusted. It is necessary that the Housekeeper have a good close working relationship with the Butler & Housemanager.

Due to the volume of responses, we cannot guarantee a reply for each and every application, but your details will be kept on file and we look forward to assisting with your career in the near future.