Our client has a large residential property in Windsor, Berkshire, and is looking for a hands-on, motivated, responsible and experienced Daily Housekeeper to work alongside 1 other Housekeeper (who was placed by Green Baize Door in 2022).
The Daily Housekeepers will be responsible for maintaining and caring for the interior of the property, and will be required to work to high standards at all times.
The clients are resident of the USA, and use their home in Windsor as a secondary / holiday home. There can be long periods when the property is unoccupied, but when the family arrive, it turns into a very busy family home, and is used to entertain numerous important guests.
Candidates must be happy and able to carry out day-to-day cleaning duties, along with ensuring the rooms and interiors are properly presented at all times. They should have established knowledge of the correct care procedures, products and methods to use, when caring for fine fabrics, hard and soft finishes and antique furniture. Along with a meticulous eye for detail, they must also have the ability to remain enthused and motivated during the periods when the house is unoccupied. It is essential that the housekeepers works diligently during the quiet periods, to ensure the house is always maintained in a permanent ready state by following an established rotational cleaning plan.
Working a standard five day week, longer hours/weeks and some weekends may be required when the family are in residence.
Previous private household, hotel and/or Yacht experience would be an added bonus.
SALARY
Circa £35,000 D.O.E
LOCATION
Windsor, in Berkshire
POSITION
Daily Housekeeper
TYPE OF HOUSEHOLD
Mansion, Professional / Philanthropist, Formal Household, Rural Location
Roles and Responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION
DAILY DUTIES:
- Un-lock the doors as necessary
- Switch on or off the lights/flood lights as necessary
- Whilst opening-up check light bulbs and replace
- Make a thorough walk-about of the buildings to ensure that everything is in order
- Low-level dusting: furniture / picture frames / skirting boards / dado- rails / banister & balustrades.
- As rooms are cleaned, the windows should be opened (if weather permits) to air the room; sills and thresholds should be wiped clean as required
- Note any maintenance problems, make recommendations, and take appropriate action to put right.
- Monitor pest infestation; act accordingly and report severe incidences
- Ensure all Fire, Security and CCTV systems are fully operational
- Work areas should be left in a tidy and correct fashion at the end of each working day
- Ensure that the house is properly locked up at the end of each day
WEEKLY DUTIES:
- Ensure automatic timers that control lights and water systems etc are correctly set
- All flooring: should be vacuumed / mopped / buffed as appropriate to the surface
- Ensure that any houseplants receive adequate water and care. Please ensure that staff are careful to avoid water spillage
- All taps and water appliances should be run, to ensure that water is running clean, and that siphons are full (to avoid bad smells rising). Leave the plugs open in baths and wash basins during periods of absence
- Bathroom taps and fittings should then be cleaned as per the instruction of the maker; if this is unknown investigate the correct care procedure with the supplier
- Turn on all lights and ensure that light bulbs are replaced as required
- Sweep outside terrace areas & wipe outside furniture
- Wind and set clocks including digital to correct settings
- Check all appliances are working i.e. stoves, dishwashers, stereo, washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, televisions, audio /visual equipment, AC &heating etc
- Maintain an inventory of cleaning & household products and ensure that stocks are maintained above minimum levels
JOBS TO BE DONE MONTHLY
- Windows should be cleaned both inside and outside sills
- Where not contracted by a specialist contractor ceiling lights should be dusted and cleaned as required
- High-dusting: curtain pelmets / curtains / cornices / ceiling ventilators / air-conditioning vents / bookcases / and bed drapes (a vacuum set at its lowest suction level is the most appropriate for most of these tasks)
- Silver ornaments should be polished using quality silver cleaning foam or liquid polish
- Brass and copper items need to be cleaned with the appropriate products on a regular basis
- Clean refrigeration and beverage storage facilities
- Clean all outside garden furniture as appropriate
JOBS TO BE DONE TWICE ANNUALLY
- Move heavy furniture so that floors and skirting, which are normally hidden, can be cleaned
- Defrost and wipe clean freezers
- A full and thorough inventory check
KITCHEN & STORES
- There is an adequate supply of mineral water, soft drinks & mixers
- There is an adequate supply of snacks, dry stores, cleaning materials etc
GARDEN TERRACE
- The Garden is managed by a Contractor who is responsible for the general maintenance and this should be monitored.
Entry Requirements
Valid DBS
Excellent checkable references and candidates must agree to sign an NDA