Housekeeper & Property Host

Housekeeper & Property Host

Private Vacation Residence · Aptos, California

Location:  Aptos, CA (Santa Cruz County) — local candidates welcome

Schedule:  Part-time, monthly/semi-monthly — approximately 8-16 hours per month, with heavier activity in the summer season

Compensation:  $50+ per hour, depending on experience

Residence:  Approximately 2,000 square feet                              

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is seeking a reliable, friendly, and trustworthy professional to help care for their second home in Aptos. This is a wonderful role for someone who takes pride in keeping a home in beautiful, ready condition and who enjoys the rhythm of a property that is loved and well used — but not lived in full time.

The family does not rent the home. They use it themselves, most often during the summer months and otherwise roughly once or twice a month, and they also share it with friends and family. What they are looking for is essentially an owner-only turnover service paired with thoughtful, occasional property care — someone who can prepare the house before and after stays, get it set and welcoming for guests, and keep an eye on things between visits. The family has school-aged children, so a calm, dependable, and discreet presence in the home matters a great deal to them.

Over time, the ideal person will come to know the family’s preferences well — how they like the home kept, what makes a guest arrival feel special, and the small touches that make the difference between a house and a home that is ready to be enjoyed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Housekeeping and general upkeep of the residence, keeping the home clean, fresh, and in ready condition between visits.
• Laundry, including coordinating items that need to be sent out to a cleaner or laundry service.
• Preparing the home before and after family or guest stays — turnovers that leave the house welcoming, comfortable, and fully set.
• Learning and anticipating the family’s preferences and bringing that knowledge to each turnover and visit.
• Being present to open the door for occasional vendors and service providers and helping coordinate routine property-related needs.
• Occasionally stocking the refrigerator and arranging fresh flowers ahead of family or guest arrivals.
• Helping ready the home for changing seasons and weather, so the property is well looked after year-round.
• Keeping open, timely communication with the family about the condition of the home and anything that needs attention.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The family is looking for someone genuinely reliable, friendly, and trustworthy — a professional they can hand the keys to with complete confidence. The right person is detail-oriented and self-directed, comfortable working independently, and takes real pride in a home that is cared for properly.

• A minimum of two years of experience in a similar role — estate caretaking, vacation-home management, housekeeping, or property hosting for a private home.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication.
• Strong organizational skills and sound judgment, with the discretion appropriate to working in a private family’s home.
• Local to the Santa Cruz County area, or able to reliably commute to Aptos.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.
• This is a smoke-free and vape-free position; the selected candidate must not smoke or vape.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The role is active and hands-on. Candidates should be comfortable with the physical demands of caring for a home, including:

• Standing, walking, bending, and reaching for extended periods during turnovers and housekeeping.
• Lifting and carrying household items, laundry, and groceries, generally up to approximately 25 pounds.
• Using stairs and moving comfortably throughout a two-story residence as needed.
• Performing routine cleaning tasks that involve repetitive motion and time on one’s feet.

BACKGROUND CHECK

As a condition of employment, the selected candidate will be asked to complete a background check.

REFERENCES

Candidates should be prepared to provide professional references from previous household or property-related positions.