Live-In Animal Loving Domestic Couple – Hertfordshire | Mon-Fri | £75K–£85K Gross per Annum

Family Description and Location

A lovely semi-retired professional couple are looking for an experienced, hands-on animal-loving domestic couple to join them at their rural Hertfordshire home.

The property is a well-maintained five-bedroom house set within approximately five acres of gardens, paddocks and fields.

The principals have three rescue ponies and two large rescue dogs, so genuine animal lovers are essential. As all of the animals are rescues, the couple must be confident, calm and experienced around animals. Unfortunately, the position is not suitable for candidates wishing to bring their own pets.

The household occasionally entertains guests. There is no childcare and no cooking required.

A gardener is employed, but the successful couple will be expected to work alongside them and assist with the general maintenance of the grounds.

Job Description

This is a varied and hands-on position combining high-standard housekeeping, property maintenance, gardening support and animal care.

The Housekeeper's responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining the five-bedroom house to a very high standard
• General cleaning and household organisation
• Laundry and ironing
• Changing and caring for household linen
• Preparing guest bedrooms when required
• Keeping the house consistently clean, organised and well presented
• General household support as required

The Handyman's responsibilities will include:

• General DIY and property maintenance
• Carrying out minor repairs and practical jobs around the house and grounds
• General garden and grounds maintenance alongside the gardener
• Helping maintain the paddocks, fields and outdoor areas
• Fencing and other general estate maintenance duties
• Dealing with contractors and emergency services where necessary
• General hands-on support around the property

Both members of the couple will be involved with the animals, including:

• Feeding and general care of the three ponies
• Turning out and bringing in the ponies
• Mucking out
• Rugging
• Assisting with the farrier and vet when required
• Caring for the two large rescue dogs
• Looking after the animals when the principals travel

There is no riding required.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidates must have previous experience working together as a domestic couple within a private household.

They should be genuinely hands-on and willing to work as a team rather than having rigidly divided responsibilities.

Candidates must:

• Be genuine animal lovers and confident handling dogs and ponies
• Have excellent housekeeping standards
• Have strong practical DIY and maintenance skills
• Be comfortable assisting with general garden and grounds maintenance
• Be flexible and reliable
• Speak a good level of English
• Be non-smokers and non-vapers
• Have excellent checkable references
• Be prepared to provide flexibility when the principals are travelling or when additional cover is required
• Have at least one confident driver who is able to drive a manual vehicle

The position is not suitable for candidates with dependants or their own pets.

Days of Work, Accommodation and Salary

Days: Primarily Monday to Friday.

The principals require a genuinely flexible couple. There may be approximately six weekends per year when some weekend working is required, with prior notice.

Additional flexibility will also be required when the principals are travelling and for occasional emergencies. The household may occasionally require the couple to assist with access for emergency services or contractors outside normal working hours.

Accommodation: A separate, newly refurbished self-contained bungalow is provided. The accommodation has a new kitchen and bathroom and has been newly carpeted, decorated and fully furnished.

A manual car is also provided for use in connection with the role.

Salary: £75,000–£85,000 gross per annum, depending on experience.

Start: As soon as possible, although the principals are very happy to wait for the right couple.

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