Job Description: Live-In Housekeeper/Cook/Personal Assistant

Location: Lakes Region, NH, USA
Type: Full-Time, Live-In
Start Date: Immediate

Overview

We are seeking a compassionate, reliable, and organized Live-In Housekeeper/Cook to maintain a large, modest home in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The primary responsibility is to support two elderly residents who are no longer able to manage household tasks or meal preparation independently. This role requires a caring individual with strong housekeeping and cooking skills, dedicated to ensuring a clean, comfortable, and nurturing environment. The household prioritizes healthy eating, cooking from scratch, baking sourdough bread products, and using homegrown vegetables from the garden.

Responsibilities

Housekeeping

Perform daily cleaning tasks, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitizing surfaces in all living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen.

Maintain tidiness throughout the home, ensuring a clutter-free and safe environment.

Clean and organize common areas, such as the living room, dining area, and hallways.

Manage laundry, including washing, drying, ironing, and folding clothes and linens.

Change bed linens and make beds regularly.

Handle minor household maintenance tasks, such as replacing light bulbs or reporting repair needs.

Cooking

Plan, prepare, and serve three nutritious, from-scratch meals daily, tailored to the dietary needs and preferences of the elderly residents (e.g., low-sodium, soft foods, or other restrictions), emphasizing healthy, whole foods.

Incorporate fresh vegetables from the home garden into meal planning and preparation.

Bake sourdough bread and other sourdough-based products regularly, maintaining starter and following traditional methods.

Prepare snacks and ensure hydration needs are met throughout the day.

Maintain a clean and organized kitchen, including washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, and proper food storage.

Manage grocery shopping and inventory for non-garden ingredients, ensuring fresh and high-quality supplies.

Accommodate occasional special meal requests for family gatherings or visitors, using homegrown and scratch-made ingredients where possible.

Additional Duties

Assist with light gardening tasks, such as harvesting vegetables, as needed to support meal preparation.

Provide light assistance to the residents, such as helping with organization or accompanying them on short walks, if needed (no medical care required).

Communicate respectfully and compassionately with the residents, fostering a warm and supportive atmosphere.

Coordinate with family members or other staff regarding household needs or resident preferences.

Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of the household.

Qualifications

Experience: Previous experience in housekeeping, cooking, or caregiving preferred. Experience with from-scratch cooking, sourdough baking, and/or gardening is highly desirable.

Skills:

Strong cleaning and organizational skills with attention to detail.

Proficiency in preparing healthy, home-cooked meals from scratch, with the ability to follow dietary guidelines.

Experience or willingness to learn sourdough baking techniques, including maintaining a starter.

Basic knowledge of gardening or ability to harvest and use fresh vegetables in cooking.

Familiarity with food safety and hygiene practices.

Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks.

Personal Attributes:

Compassionate, patient, and respectful demeanor.

Reliable, trustworthy, and able to work independently.

Good communication skills and a positive attitude.

Physical Requirements: Ability to perform physical tasks, including lifting, bending, standing for extended periods, and light gardening work.

Availability: Must be willing to live in the home full-time, with private living quarters provided. Flexible schedule, with some weekends and holidays required.

Background: Must pass a background check and provide references.

Compensation and Benefits

All room and board provided, including private, furnished living quarters (bedroom and bathroom) and meals.

Negotiable stipend, to be discussed during the hiring process.

Paid time off (to be discussed during hiring process).