Household Manager / Family Assistant

Nanny/Household Manager Opportunity Location: Parkville, MD 21234 Employment Type: Part-time, approximately 20 hours per week; 20 hours guaranteed Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM, in addition, the family guarantees 5 flexible hours per week, typically scheduled on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday based on the family's needs and the candidate's availability. While the core schedule remains consistent, some flexibility is appreciated for occasional schedule adjustments related to school activities and children's needs. Note: Because the children return home on Saturday afternoons, Friday or weekend availability may be especially helpful for completing household resets and preparation for the upcoming week. Compensation: $30 - $35 per hour based on experience Start Date: August 2026 Requirements Reliable transportation; must be comfortable using the family vehicle for child transport and errands Maintain a smoke-free environment Must be authorized to work in the United States Up-to-date vaccinations (general wellness, COVID, and flu) preferred CPR and First Aid certification preferred or willingness to obtain Valid driver's license required Experience with, or sensitivity to, neurodivergent individuals is a plus, though direct interaction in this role is expected to be limited About Our Family Life in our home is full - wonderfully, beautifully, sometimes overwhelmingly full. We are a busy household anchored by a mom who has her own business and is now navigating the exciting, demanding world of entrepreneurship from home. I am deeply committed to my work and equally committed to my family, and right now those two things require more bandwidth than any one person can manage alone. The goal of this role is not just task completion, but reducing the mental load of running the household so the home feels calmer, more organized, and easier to maintain. The household includes several children spanning a wide range of ages, stages, and needs, creating a dynamic and active environment. During the school year, the younger children are typically in the home from Saturday afternoon through Wednesday. During the summer, they are also in the parent's care during the day, with schedules that may include camps and activities. These periods can be especially active and require more coordination, flexibility, and hands-on household support. Responsibilities include helping a school-age child with morning routines, lunch preparation, and occasional afternoon pick-ups, as well as providing transportation support for an older child attending college classes. The family also shares the main living area with two large, friendly dogs who are an important part of the household and daily routine. Two smaller dogs also live in the home with an adult child but are expected to have more limited interaction with this role. The ideal candidate will enjoy a lively environment, be comfortable balancing multiple priorities, and bring a calm, proactive approach to keeping the household running smoothly. This is a home that wants to feel like a home - warm, inviting, and functional - and is ready to invest in the right person to help make that a reality. Who You Are / What We're Looking For You are someone who finds genuine satisfaction in creating order out of chaos. You walk into a space and instinctively see what it could be, and then you make it happen without being asked twice. You don't need a detailed checklist to do good work - you are resourceful, self-directed, and take real ownership of your environment. You notice when the dish soap is running low. You remember that the towels need replacing. You research three contractors before recommending one. You bring a positive, grounded presence to the home. You don't have to be high-energy or effusive, but you show up with warmth and a genuine desire to be there. You read the room - some days there's time for easy conversation, and other days the household is moving fast and you move with it. You are direct and transparent in your communication, and you don't shy away from flagging something when it needs attention. You are comfortable around kids of varying ages and needs, including those who may require extra patience and sensitivity. You're not flustered by a busy morning or a last-minute schedule change. You thrive in environments where your contributions are felt and appreciated, even if the family is too busy at the moment to stop and say it. Most importantly, you care. You care about doing the job well. You care about the family you're supporting. You care about the kind of environment you're helping to create. That sense of investment is something this family can feel, and it makes all the difference. Key Responsibilities Household Organization & Maintenance Establish and implement sustainable organizational systems throughout the home, including kitchen cabinets, drawers, linen closets, the pantry, and children's spaces Support light upkeep of children's spaces, especially the younger child's bedroom, including helping maintain organization systems, putting items back in place, and keeping the room manageable between deeper cleanups. Creating order, functionality, and long-term maintainable systems will be the primary focus of the role during the initial months of employment. Daily resets including tidying, dishes, wiping surfaces, and vacuuming high-traffic areas Prep the home before the monthly deep clean Seasonal clothing swaps and donation coordination Refresh laundry area, mudroom, and entryway areas Assist in nudging household members on assigned chores and maintaining routines Holiday, vacation, and guest prep (including gift wrapping during the holiday season) Laundry & Linens Wash, fold, and organize laundry for the household including kids' clothing and bed sheets Refill and maintain laundry supply containers Linen rotation and general upkeep of laundry areas Replace worn or stained linens as needed (within household budget) Inventory & Errands Receive and put away grocery deliveries; reconcile with what is already in the home to avoid over-ordering Manage and right-size household product subscriptions (Amazon, Costco, Target) Maintain pantry, fridge, and household supply inventory Handle occasional returns and dry cleaning as needed Organize refrigerator with fruit and vegetable bins for easy access Transition household products toward cleaner and plastic-free options over time Meal Planning & Preparation This area will be phased in gradually after organization systems are established. Phase 1: Rinse and organize produce into fridge bins after grocery delivery; prep morning school lunches for the school-age child (simple, approximately 5 to 10 minutes) Phase 2: Batch cook 2 to 3 simple meals per week; prep proteins such as taco meat, chicken, and ground beef; prepare grab-and-go lunches and snacks aligned with a protein and macro-focused nutrition plan Kitchen clean-up and general maintenance Family Support Morning routine assistance for school-age child including getting ready and preparing for the bus Occasional afternoon bus pickup (approximately 3:50 PM) when the parent has conflicting meetings Transportation for older child to community college classes (fall schedule to be confirmed but will fall within the scheduled hours) Light backup childcare coverage during the parent's work conference travel (2 to 3 times per year), including morning school routines and afternoon coverage until another household member is home Support with kid-related errands as needed Assistance with scheduling children's medical and related appointments as needed Pet Care Provide short dog walks or light enrichment during each shift to support energy management and separation anxiety. Schedule grooming appointments; ease into transporting pets to groomer once comfortable with the household Maintain pet supply inventory Vehicle Upkeep