This position is responsible for assisting in the daily duties of a private residence in Washington, DC, including housekeeping, interior maintenance, meal preparation and service, and special events/dinner parties. Full-time (40 hours/week), hourly/non-exempt position which reports to the Female Head of Household and the Estate Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:
 

Household

• Consult and work closely with the Estate Manager to coordinate operational requirements to ensure readiness of residence for occupancy as scheduled.

• Exercise open and excellent communication skills with other household staff, with Michigan staff, and with female head of household DC staff. Communication to be conducted via phone, email, or text, as appropriate.

• Perform basic daily household duties, i.e. making bed(s), cleaning bathroom(s), filling and emptying dishwasher, wiping down kitchen counters, taking out the trash, refilling beverage cooler, and keeping staff area clean and organized, etc. Occasionally touch up family living and kitchen areas. Items include, but are not limited to: dusting, vacuuming, wiping down counters, emptying trash, and putting décor back in appropriate locations.

• Conduct end-of-day procedures, including walk-through of residence to ensure items are in order; turn off lights; turn down master bed, secure locks.

• Perform a variety of administrative support functions, including opening and sorting the mail, posting/shipping mail or packages, ordering items as needed, etc.

• Run various errands as needed.

• Oversee dry cleaning pick-up and delivery.

• Launder, iron, and fold household linens and personal articles of clothing.

• Schedule personal appointments for family members as needed; ensure the household is aware of appointments, both in advance and the day of.

• Answer the phone and door. Greet guests calling at the home.

• Write checks for various services and balance household checking account. Retain receipts for credit card purchases. Submit credit card receipts and documentation monthly for reconciliation.

• Report maintenance issues to Estate Manager for guidance on repairs.

• Schedule and greet/supervise vendors.

• Oversee and coordinate the work of housekeepers and ensure their services are performed at the highest level of quality service.

• Monitor inventory levels of household cleaning supplies, food supplies, personal products, and other basic supplies at family homes. Work with Michigan Household Assistant on placing orders.

• Coordinate catalog orders, working with Michigan Household Assistant.

• Maintain inventory of household supplies; place orders, receive, and stock for household.

• Care for fresh flowers on a daily basis and dispose of spent arrangements.

• Assist Estate Manager and Private Chef with special events/dinner parties, i.e. proper table and linen setting, set up buffet or wine stations, tear down, etc. Execute event plans in absence of Estate Manager or Private Chef.

• Assist with holiday or event decorating as directed.

• Perform special projects as assigned by female head of household or Estate Manager.

Meal Assistance

• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of and experience with household table etiquette and service; demonstrate creativity and artistic presentation in food preparation and table service, whether dining is casual or formal.

• Assist in the preparation and service of meals for two people. Prepare meals upon request.

• Ensure freshness of food stock through proper storage, labeling, and inspection.

• Ensure kitchen areas, kitchen equipment, and dining areas are safe and sanitary at all times.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Variety of housekeeping and culinary and/or catering experience.

• Excellent knowledge of household table etiquette, service, and entertaining protocol.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift thirty (30) pounds to a maximum height of six (6) feet.

• Ability to remain standing on feet and kneeling on hands and knees for lengthy periods of time.

• Ability to climb steps and stairs; stoop, bend, and kneel.

• Ability to stand on small step stool in order to accomplish cleaning tasks.

• Ability to push/pull vacuum cleaner and operate household maintenance equipment.

• Valid driver’s license required.

• Equipment will be provided by employer, i.e. brooms, dusters, extendible dusters, vacuums, cloths, gloves, carts, kneepads, step stools, ladders, etc.

• Responsibilities are conducted in the home of the client of RDV Staffing. While an employer/employee relationship exists, it is important that employee is genuinely committed to being part of the household staff team whose goal is to contribute to a happy home environment.

• Preservation of a peaceful household atmosphere is essential. Cleaning of the home must be conducted around family’s activities, with sensitivity to privacy of family members at all times. This requires flexibility to determine which rooms to clean at what time in order to be least intrusive to presence of family.

• Must demonstrate professionalism, pride, enthusiasm, and graciousness in service; must be self-motivated; display good communication and listening skills; be a responsible, respectful, dedicated, and dependable person of highest integrity; neat and tidy in appearance. Attention to detail, organization, and follow-through in daily routine essential.

• Must also demonstrate ability to prioritize and to work independently with limited oversight.

• Must be willing to be flexible in work hours during unexpected schedule changes, evenings and weekends will be required. A willingness to complete unusual or unexpected duties is essential.

• The family’s privacy is of critical importance, and the highest level of confidentiality must be exercised at all times.