Houseman

Overview:

New York based private family seeks a hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy Houseman to work with an UHNW family. The Houseman role is a live-in, hourly position primarily focused on maintaining the residence's functionality, cleanliness, and organization. The ideal candidate must demonstrate flexibility, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and a strong commitment to family needs. This role involves collaborating closely with the Estate/House Manager and requires an adaptable mindset to accommodate changing priorities.

Responsibilities:

• General upkeep of the residence, including cleaning, minor repairs, and reporting maintenance issues promptly.
• Anticipate and identify potential maintenance issues, resolving them proactively.
• Daily check-ins with the Estate/House Manager for special assignments.
• Perform daily, weekly, monthly… tasks as outlined in the Trello system, ensuring proper documentation and issue reporting.
• Troubleshoot technical issues (e.g., BMS, AV systems, security systems, pools/fountains) with vendors over the phone as needed.
• Compile and update list of non-emergency issues needed to be addressed, according to system in place

Outdoor & Grounds Maintenance:

• Maintain cleanliness across the exterior of the estate.
• Perform minor irrigation repairs and upkeep of outdoor structures, including gates, fences, driveways, and pathways.
• Adjust irrigation programing as needed based
• Seasonal responsibilities:
• Power washing granite, beach staircases, patios, and outdoor kitchens.
• Leaf blowing, fountain maintenance, flower care (seasonal), and pool maintenance.
• Cover/uncover outdoor furniture based on weather and family activities.
• During summer:
• Fill and light outdoor torches for evening use.
• Weekly backyard mosquito treatments.
• Ensure water in pools and fountains is balanced
• Winterize pools area, including outdoor furniture, kitchens, hose bibs…
• Inspect and maintain gutters, roofs, patios, and terraces as per the maintenance schedule

Painting & Carpentry:

• Perform minor paint touch-ups and basic carpentry work as needed.

HVAC Maintenance:

• Ensure proper functionality of heating and cooling systems.
• Replace filters and belts as needed, maintain system efficiency.
• Monitor the BMS system daily and report irregularities to the Estate Manager.

Tools, Equipment & Vehicle Maintenance:

• Organize and maintain garage tools and equipment.
• Ensure all luxury car batteries are on chargers and cars are clean and fueled (never below ¼ tank).
• Keep children's outdoor toys clean and organized during summer.

Personal Service:

• Ensure the family pet is fed, walked, and cared for according to the schedule.
• Assist with serving meals, beverages, and providing support during pool parties or events.
• Drive family members to appointments or desired locations as needed.
• Run errands, including picking up and dropping off dry cleaning.
• Monitor and adjust room and pool temperatures according to family preferences.
• Ensure paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper are fully stocked at all times.

Inventory Management:

• Maintain and track spare parts inventory, including:
• Belts, filters, lightbulbs, generator components, elevator/dumbwaiter parts, and system components (BMS, plumbing, AV, pools…).
• Coordinate inventory orders with the Estate/House Manager as needed.

Quality Assurance & Security:

• Oversee and accompany all contractors and vendors during service visits, ensuring adherence to procedures.
• Report damages or system malfunctions promptly.
• Manage deliveries, including logging, sorting, and distributing per protocol.
• Familiarize yourself with the alarm system, emergency protocols, and security measures.
• Monitor the daily calendar for vendor schedules and family activities.
• Protect the family’s privacy and confidentiality at all times.

Gatekeeping Responsibilities:

• Serve as the first point of contact for contractors, visitors, and deliveries:
• Notify the group chat and Estate/House Manager of arrivals.
• Provide visitor badges and accompany vendors as instructed.
• Receive and log mail and deliveries, distributing them accordingly.
• Answer gate and house manager phone lines, following proper communication protocols.

Key Attributes for Success:

• Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
• Professional demeanor with a high level of discretion.
• Flexible, adaptable, and willing to take on varied tasks.

Schedule:

• Primarily daytime hours with five overnight stays per week. Significant flexibility for overtime and schedule adjustments is required to meet family needs.