Domestic Staffing Specialties

Administrative Assistant working

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

An administrative assistant is a vital member of any team and is often extremely helpful for any company or individual to have on staff.

An administrative assistant is responsible for assisting with Collecting data, coordinating projects, and optimizing procedures to contribute to cost savings.

Butler holding a bass bell

BUTLER

The Butler is customarily responsible for a single residence, supervising household staff, setting up the household, and ensuring all duties are fulfilled. Typical duties include ordering household supplies, setting and serving a formal table, caring for the silver, china, and crystal, and overseeing dinner parties and other events held in the home.

A Butler should have good knowledge of wines and may be required to use a computer.

 

A caregiver reading a book with an elderly lady

CAREGIVER

Caregivers help with every aspect of daily living, from driving to appointments and companionship to housekeeping and personal assistance. They help you live safely and comfortably at home.

Caregivers may assist with meal preparation and clean-up, light housekeeping and home maintenance, shopping and errands, bathing, and/or standby assistance with bathing, dressing, and calendaring/daily reminders.

 

Caretaker helping resident with their property

Caretaker

A caretaker is a highly skilled professional whose primary goal is to maintain the pristine state of a property or establishment.

A caretaker on a residential estate may provide several benefits to the property and its tenants. They are in charge of managing a property’s day-to-day activities and ensuring it is running seamlessly.

 

Smiling chauffeur sitting in the driver's seat

CHAUFFEUR/DRIVER

A Chauffeur will typically be responsible for driving family members and guests to social and professional appointments. He or she is also expected to care for the car, making sure it is always clean and operating properly.

 

A Chauffeur may also be required to work in the office of the employer, doing filing or faxing, and maybe even do errands. Often the hours vary, so flexibility is important.

A private chef cutting vegetables

Chef / Cook

A Chef prepares detailed basic and gourmet menus and food for most or all family and social events. A Chef may also prepare meals for the staff.

 

The household Chef is responsible for anything food or kitchen-related, including organization, clean up, shopping for all food-related supplies, and menu planning.

Modern Butler in a suit fixing his tie

CHIEF OF STAFF

Chief of staff is a role that assists the executives in smaller tasks and various day-to-day activities like managing their logistics, schedules, and presentations.

 

Companion helping elderly lady

Companion

A Companion offers emotional support to those in need, in addition to the tasks of those done by a caregiver.

A Companion may assist with ordinary tasks such as meat preparation, housekeeping tasks, and small errands, but with an additional focus on being emotional and social support.

 

 

Formally dressed director of estate holding a Notepad

Director of Estates/Residences

The Director of Residences is responsible for the oversight of multiple properties. They control the budget and are in charge of major financial expenditures. The Director oversees estate managers at each residence to ensure the consistency of standards.

They serve as the point of control, and final decision-makers, and are often the gatekeeper between the principals and their properties.
Responsibilities for this position generally include HR oversight and development of policies and procedures, financial control, and property management, which may include oversight of residences, corporate offices, ranches, equestrian facilities, or actively-managed farmland, negotiating contracts and vendor management, construction, and project management.

Woman standing in a kitchen holding cleaning supplies

DOMESTIC COUPLE

A domestic couple is two individuals who work together and share household responsibilities.  The term domestic couple has its roots in ancient times when a married couple would roll their sleeves and labor together to operate the household like a well-oiled machine.

 

While many identify domestic couples with love relationships, it’s crucial to recognize that these two people might just be acquaintances or family members who get along well.

Smiling estate manager

ESTATE/HOUSEHOLD MANAGER

Primarily a chief administrator, the Estate or Household Manager assumes a leadership role in managing the staff and services for one or more homes.

 

This may include interviewing and supervising all contractors, attending to the proper care of automobiles, wine cellar, managing accounts, and other functions.

 

Woman making a bed

EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER

An executive housekeeper plays a crucial role in the housekeeping department in maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of the property.

An executive housekeeper wears many hats to maintain a property’s smooth and effective functioning. They take care of many responsibilities, ensuring the housekeeping operations run like clockwork.

Landscaper standing next to a fruit tree

GARDENER/LANDSCAPER

A Gardener may possibly have a degree in horticulture and cares for formal gardens, lawns, shrubs, flowers, and other gardens. The Gardener also supervises any outside vendors who come on the grounds and orders supplies and equipment for the estate.

A top-of-the-line Gardener has knowledge of insecticides, and chemical applications, and often have greenhouse experience as well. Housing is often included. This job can also be combined with a caretaker position.

Groundskeeper working with dirt and planting plants

GROUNDSKEEPER

A groundskeeper is integral to any property management team whose primary responsibility is maintaining the property’s exterior. This includes managing the landscape, hardscape, and other outdoor areas that comprise the property.

A groundskeeper must be detail-oriented and passionate about working outdoors. Since this job requires some heavy lifting, you’ll want to find someone who’s fit and ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way.

 

Handyman working on a house

Handyman

A handyman is an expert in taking care of home maintenance, both small and large. Generally, for any task that requires construction or rudimentary electrical work, a handyman can take care of it.

 

A Family Assistant is responsible for the same tasks as a Personal Assistant, with the addition of child-related duties.

 

Maid cleaning a room

HOUSEKEEPER / MAID

A Housekeeper is in charge of cleaning, doing the laundry, ironing, dusting, silver polishing, vacuuming, and running errands.

Housekeeper duties may also include some meal preparation and/or childcare duties. Housekeepers can live in or out.

 

Houseman cleaning a window

HOUSEMAN

A Houseman is usually responsible for the heavy housework, such as cleaning the hardwood and marble floors, vacuuming and polishing silver and brass, and general repairs.

He may be required to care for the front entry area of the house and the walkways. In a home where there is only a Houseman, he typically does what a Housekeeper would.

 

 

Server leaving clean towels on a bed

LAUNDRESS

A Laundress washes, irons, steams clothing, table linens, and sheets, as well as organized closets and dressers.

She may also be required to care for the polishing of shoes.

 

A nanny holding her infant child

NANNY

Nannies are in charge of organizing and coordinating the children’s activities, preparing their meals, and keeping their rooms and play areas clean.

He or she may have several years of college or hold a degree, and ideally possess a CPR or a First Aid Certificate.

Baby nurse playing with an infant

NCS/BABY NURSE/DOULA

Helps the new mother with all aspects of care for a baby, from feeding to washing clothes and keeping the nursery clean. She is not responsible for any household duties outside of the nursery.

These tend to be temporary jobs, with Baby Nurses usually working 12 or 24-hour shifts for a duration of 2 weeks to 6 months.

Office manager working on a laptop

Office Manager

A caretaker is a highly skilled professional whose primary goal is to maintain the pristine state of a property or establishment.

A caretaker on a residential estate may provide several benefits to the property and its tenants. They are in charge of managing a property’s day-to-day activities and ensuring it is running seamlessly.

Personal assistant writing notes on a clipboard

PERSONAL ASSISTANT/FAMILY ASSISTANT

A Personal Assistant is responsible for keeping up with the social and professional demands of an employer. Duties may include keeping track of the family agenda, arranging for reservations of various events, travel bookings, event planning, some secretarial responsibilities, shopping, and running errands.

A Family Assistant is responsible for the same tasks as a Personal Assistant, with the addition of child-related duties.

 

Private educator teaching

Private Educator

A private tutor teaches students at home. They are responsible for providing students with individualized assistance to help them learn new concepts and developing and implementing a customized educational program.

Their wealth of knowledge [experience] can come from various backgrounds, such as the public and private school sectors and tutoring companies.

Private Security

A private security officer is a trained professional responsible for safeguarding people and property against potential threats and hazards.

 

Person's hand holding house keys

PROPERTY MANAGER

A property manager monitors a property’s daily operations to keep it well-maintained and running smoothly. They are the jack of all trades, from collecting rent and enforcing leases to ensuring repairs are done on time.

SERVER

A server is a skilled professional in the food service industry responsible for delivering top-notch service to diners and guests. The word “Server” can be traced back to the middle ages, when it referred to servants who served at a royal or noble household.