House Manager & Family Assistant

Job Title: House Manager & Family Assistant

Location: Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Employment Type: Part-time (10 hours/week)

Proposed Start Date: ASAP

Compensation: $35–45/hour

Requirements: Can maintain a smoke free environment, pass a background check, reliable transportation, clean driving record, valid driver's license

Proposed Schedule: Monday to Friday, primarily 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM with flexibility for additional hours as needed for errands or travel days

About Our Family

We are a busy family of five (kids ages 6, 12, and 15) who values reliability, organization, and collaboration. Our home moves at a fast pace with three kids, a bustling schedule, and a variety of activities. The family also includes two mid-sized outdoor dogs (~35 lbs), three chickens, and parakeets.

One parent works full-time from home (with occasional travel) while the other parent is a stay-at-home parent managing the children and overseeing the household. Our home is a central hub, hosting events for both kids and adults and someone should expect to work alongside family members throughout the day.

We are looking for someone who can help ease the mental load for mom, allowing her to be more present with the family. We value communication, flexibility, and initiative, and are hoping to find someone who can bring structure and positivity to our busy home life.

Who You Are / What We're Looking For

You are a highly organized, proactive, and detail-oriented person who can manage multiple tasks and responsibilities. You're someone who can notice what needs to be done without being asked, take initiative, and follow through on tasks with a positive, professional attitude. You thrive in a busy environment and can juggle schedules, household tasks, and help keep everything running smoothly.

You're comfortable with a variety of tasks, including household management, meal prep, vendor coordination, and family support. You're flexible and adaptable, especially when the family's schedules shift due to travel or other commitments. You communicate clearly with all family members and can manage logistics effectively.

You're trustworthy and reliable, with a strong sense of responsibility, and you understand the importance of being a calm and efficient presence in a dynamic family environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Household Management & Organization:
  • Maintain existing household organization systems and refreshing as needed (e.g., closets, pantry, toys, storage, etc.)
  • Reset and tidy rooms daily; maintain overall neatness, ensure home is prepped for cleaning services (2x a week)
  • Oversee family calendar, schedules, and provide reminders
  • Conduct light seasonal swaps (e.g., décor, bedding)
  • Prepare and coordinate donation drop-offs/pick ups and occasionally reselling items
  • Supervise or coordinate with service providers/vendors (e.g., handymen, cleaners, landscapers, etc.)
  • Handle light cleaning tasks, including unloading the dishwasher, wiping surfaces, vacuuming high traffic areas, and taking out the trash/recycling
  • Maintaining indoor plants
• Inventory Management & Errands
  • Track and restock pantry, fridge, toiletries, household supplies on occasion
  • Run errands on an ad hoc basis such as grocery shopping, returns, dry cleaning, gift shopping, gift wrapping, etc.
• Meal Preparation (~1-2 nights/week):
  • Plan and prepare simple and healthy meals for the family (1-2 times per week)
    • Focus on simple, balanced meals (protein, carb, vegetable)
    • Clean kitchen post-prep and ensure tidiness
• Laundry & Linen Care
  • Wash, dry, fold, and organize family laundry (e.g., clothing, bedding, towels)
  • Manage linens: refresh towels, restock essentials
• Pet Care
  • Feed and provide occasional care for dogs
  • Be open/ flexible to housesitting and pet sitting when family travels
• Vendor & Property Oversight
  • Schedule and oversee service providers (cleaners, landscapers, handymen, contractors, etc.)
  • Research and coordinate property maintenance (repairs, seasonal upkeep, and vendor quotes)
  • Manage routine upkeep across property
  • Oversee outdoor spaces and seasonal maintenance needs (e.g., resetting outdoor spaces for spring)
  • Coordinate home installs and handle samples for fabrics/materials as needed
  • Serve as the primary contact for all property-related inquiries and vendors
  • Ensure property is ready for family use, guest use, or events
• Administrative & Personal Assistance
  • Help manage the family calendar, ensuring appointments, school events, and travel plans are coordinated and reminding the family of upcoming happenings
  • Assist with event coordination and guest preparation
  • Assist with travel planning, scheduling, and logistics by collaborating with parents to understand their vision and executing plans with well-researched options.
• Family Support & Assistance
  • Assist with school and activity drop-offs/pick-ups for children as needed
• Special Projects & Deep Cleaning
  • Flag when deep cleaning is needed for home or larger appliances (e.g., fridge, oven, etc.)
  • Assist with coordinating and completing small household projects like gear rotation, storage organization, or seasonal décor
  • Clean smaller home appliances on a periodic basis (e.g., humidifiers, washing machines, air purifiers)

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills and is capable of making decisions independently
• Takes initiative and anticipates needs without requiring constant direction
• Is trustworthy and reliable
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Thinks proactively rather than simply completing task lists
• Resourceful and able to independently research information and solutions
• Comfortable calling vendors, schools, or service providers and exercising sound judgment
• Able to make informed decisions and present thoughtful solutions
• Flexible, adaptive thinker who can pivot as needs change
• Strong, clear, and fluid communication with the family. Can work and interact with both parents
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities
• Self-directed and capable of working independently
• Exhibits high integrity, discretion, and professionalism
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English

Additional Information

• Mileage Reimbursement: Reimbursement is provided for work-related driving using your personal vehicle (e.g., errands, school pickups), excluding commuting.

How to Apply:

If interested, please apply with the following:

1. A brief letter explaining why you believe you would be a great fit for this position.
2. Your updated resume
3. At least 3 professional references with contact information.

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