DAILY or LIVE IN HEAD HOUSEKEEPER I Nr HENLEY-ON-THAMES

Roles and Responsibilities

Daily Duties:

• Daily opening up procedure:
• Switch on (or off) lights as necessary.
• Open and arrange curtains.
• Tidy obvious debris from the lower ground and ground floor Reception Rooms.
• Whilst “opening up” check light bulbs and replace if able to.  If not, ask the Head Butler to replace or in his absence the Caretaker, when the family are out of residence or not present.
• Preparation of breakfast tray (if the Head Butler/Lady’s Maid are not present).
• Ensure that the Laundry Room is always clean and well organised (in conjunction with the Housekeepers and Lady’s Maid).

• Laundering as follow:

• Gentleman Principal shirts and underwear.
• In the absence of the Lady’s Maid, all lady Principal under garments are to be washed by hand.
• Bed and table linen – if the Lady’s Maid is present she will press the sheets from the Master Bedroom.
• Guest laundry.
• To take clothes/linen to the dry cleaners or for the dry cleaners in London, give to the chauffeur as and when required.
• Items for dry cleaning to be noted in the “Laundry Book” (in conjunction with the Lady’s Maid).
• The humidifiers should be operating when the central heating is turned on. They are to be topped up every morning with tap water (only). When the heating is turned off at the end of the winter, the humidifiers should be cleaned and stored.
• The vacuum should not be used in the house until everyone is awake.
• Cleaning and vacuuming of the stairs, first and second floor landings usually twice weekly, or otherwise more frequently if necessary.
• In the absence of the Lady’s Maid, cleaning, vacuuming and laying the fires in the Master Suite, Study and guest rooms when occupied.
• Bed linen should be changed every four days.
• The cleaning of the inside of the windows including their thresholds.
• Closing down procedure:
• Close curtains.
• Leave on certain lights.
• Switch off unnecessary appliances.

General Responsibilities:

• Manage the cleaning schedule for the Coach House, Chapel, Walled Garden guest accommodation, Lunch Hut and Estate guest accommodation.
• Close communication with the Caretaker regarding any maintenance and repairs required.
• Any breakages and damages to items from the Butler’s Pantry should be reported to the Principal/Head Butler and recorded in the Damages and Repairs Book.
• Monitor contractors in the house and ensure their work is carried out in a tidy fashion.
• Wind up the clocks (every three days).
• Ensure the cleaning products and toiletry store rooms are sufficiently stocked. Stock control record to be updated on a monthly basis.
• Light bulb stock control, in conjunction with the Caretaker.
• Water jug(s) must be filled each day with bottled water (sometimes twice daily).
• Dog area must be sanitized daily when in residence, and blankets and towels washed as necessary by the Caretaker.
• When in residence, it is expected that the dog feeding area is left clean.
• Cleaning of fire grates and laying of fires on the lower ground, ground, first and second floors. Only seasoned wood to be used.
• Uniform and apron to be worn at all times whilst on duty.
• The tidiness of the Laundry, Flower Room, Gun Room and Boot Room.
• Keeping the staff communal areas, to include shower and toilets, clean and tidy.
• The Lady’s Maid will inform the Head Housekeeper in more detail of the duties that she undertakes, so that in her absence the Head Housekeeper is familiar with her duties.
• When the Principals and household are away, it is necessary to maintain a program of thorough “Spring cleaning”.
• In conjunction with the Head Butler, keep an eye on the flower arrangements and houseplants. Ensure that there are no spillages.  Water, deadhead, replace as required.
• The Head Housekeeper may be asked to help out in the evening when there is a dinner party.
• Security: Report any incident details to Security Operatives on duty during the evening and the Estate Office during the day.

In addition:

• Shopping as required.
• Cooking a family type meal if required.
• Shoes and boots to be cleaned (when the Head Butler is not present).
• Order/purchase flowers 
• If the Principal(s) returns late after a trip away, the Head Housekeeper may be asked to help out “out of hours”.
• Polishing the wooden floors with the assistance of the Housekeepers.
• High dusting with the help of the Housekeepers.
• Clean fridges and freezers.

Accommodation

Superb 2/3 bed lodge

Entry Requirements

• Have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom;
• Hold a valid driving Licence and own a car;
• Present an advanced understanding of the rules of both Etiquette and Protocol;
• Present excellent, checkable, references;
• Have a valid DBS.