Live in Couple (Housekeeper | Gardener / Grounds Person)

We are looking for an experienced, loyal and trustworthy couple to manage and assist in running a beautiful listed, 204 acre country estate in Essex.

This really is a fantastic opportunity offering great working hours for a quieter, friendly family who are not always in residence and as part of a wider team who concentrate on rebuilding a separate historic property and grounds.

They are looking for a couple who have solid organisation and English communication skills, who have ideally worked for a private household previously in a similar role. It is vital that the incoming couple are able to be self-starting and responsible, whilst reporting to the owners on a regular basis.

Hours;

• Full time, Monday-Friday (can be flexible according to owner/employee needs from time to time).
• Occasional House/ Pet sitting (agreed in advance and additional pay)

The role:

House Keeper / Light gardening (approximately 2 days a week in the house, 3 days in the garden):

• Regular ordinary cleaning throughout the historic, listed house (7 bedrooms)
• Washing & changing of bedlinen & towels
• Cleaning windows
• Watering plants in house & greenhouse & garden
• Possibility of occasional cooking for family members and guests (although not essential)
• Driving to collect goods, supplies and people occasionally
• Receiving post and parcels, etc
• First point of contact for contractors/deliveries and visitors.
• Basic admin, regular monthly meter readings etc
• Weeding, tidying & pruning perennial borders (& small shrubs) under guidance if not experienced in such areas
• General assistance on outside jobs with the groundskeeper
• Mucking in where needed
• Basic help feeding and checking flock of sheep

Grounds keeper:

This person must be capable of all elements of grounds maintenance, general property maintenance and grassland farm upkeep.
Regular duties include:

• Mowing lawns with walk behind mowers. Wider mowing with modern tractor mowers.
• Edging lawns & grass
• Manual weeding, hand rogueing of grassed areas & farm grassland for weeds and ragwort
• Weeding around trees & hedges, maintaining tree protection and guards
• Pruning hedges, shrubs & small trees (from ground) in the correct seasons
• Orchard maintenance
• Ability to use all hand-held gardening tools – manual & mechanical
• Ability to drive tractors, compact and large, is essential and telehandler a benefit

Adhoc duties:

• Clearing gutters & exterior cleaning of buildings and cladding
• Cleaning external high level glazing where possible
• Repairing of stock fencing / post & rail (existing only – to keep in good order)
• Maintaining clean and tidy tool sheds and storage areas, along with disposal of rubbish, hay ,chaff and any unwanted items by agreement with the employer
• Help round sheep up occasionally for inspection and worming.
• House / Pet sitting

Accommodation:

Lovely 2 / 3 bedroom cottage available adjacent to the main house. Newly refurbished, all utility bills included and fibre speed Wi-Fi
Well behaved small pet welcome.

The family have five dogs although they are usually only in residence when they are. They also have horses and great equine facilities which a long-standing groom takes care of.

Great package on offer for an experienced, well referenced and DBS checked couple.

To apply, please email you CV and covering letter to Rebecca at info@larstonerecruitment.com