Houseman

Houseman Position At The Inn At Little Washington

Since 1978 The Inn at Little Washington, located at the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, has been one of the most decorated restaurants and hotels in the world. There is no better time to join our growing team of exceptional people. On-the-job training, advancement potential, flexible schedules, amazing benefits, and competitive pay. Your next career awaits.

The Houseman serves as the operational backbone of the Housekeeping department at The Inn at Little Washington, a Forbes Five-Star, Michelin Three-Star property. This role is responsible for the logistics, heavy support, and behind-the-scenes preparation that enable the housekeeping team to deliver a flawless guest experience. The Houseman manages the flow of linens, amenities, and supplies across the property, maintains the cleanliness and presentation of all public areas and guest room building common spaces, and provides hands-on support for deep cleaning and heavy maintenance tasks. This position is ideal for a detail-oriented, physically capable individual who takes pride in maintaining luxury standards and works well both independently and as part of a close team.

Key Performance Indicators

Daily checklist completion rate of 100%, verified by Housekeeping Supervisor

Linen and supply closets consistently stocked at or above established PAR levels

Zero guest-facing deficiencies in public areas and common spaces during daily inspections

Essential Responsibilities

Linen, Supply & Inventory Operations

Receive, store, organize, and distribute linens, terry, robes, amenities, and cleaning supplies to designated staging areas and linen closets across the property

Perform all laundry operations including washing, drying, folding, pressing, and steaming of terry, robes, and other textile items

Monitor inventory levels of housekeeping supplies, linens, and guest amenities; communicate immediately when items fall below established PAR levels

Complete regular inventory counts of housekeeping items and maintain accurate records for the Housekeeping Supervisor

Ensure all linen closets and storage areas are organized, labeled, and consistently replenished throughout each shift

Public Area & Common Space Maintenance

Maintain the cleanliness and presentation of all public areas, including lobbies, hallways, restrooms, porches, walkways, and administrative offices to Five-Star standards

Sweep, mop, dust, and vacuum the main dining room following breakfast service

Clean, sanitize, and restock all public-area and administrative-office restrooms on a regular schedule and as needed throughout the day

Sweep, wipe down, and mop all guest room building porches and exterior common areas

Clean and maintain all interior common areas of assigned guest room buildings, including hallways, stairwells, and shared spaces

Remove trash from guest rooms, public areas, and administrative offices in a timely and discreet manner

Guest Room Support & Deep Cleaning

Assist Housekeepers with physically demanding tasks such as moving furniture, flipping and rotating mattresses, shampooing carpets, and deep-cleaning assignments

Deliver guest-requested items including extra towels, pillows, blankets, and amenities promptly and professionally

Assist with stripping beds and removing used linens during high-occupancy periods or as directed

Perform deep cleaning tasks and special projects as assigned, including window washing, floor waxing, upholstery cleaning, and seasonal refresh projects

Report maintenance deficiencies, damaged fixtures, and items in need of repair to the Housekeeping Supervisor immediately upon discovery

Guest Service & Communication

Greet every guest warmly and professionally, as though welcoming them into your own home

Anticipate guest needs and respond to inquiries or requests in a timely, courteous, and discreet manner

Maintain working knowledge of all hotel services, property features, local attractions, and the history of The Inn at Little Washington to assist guests when asked

Communicate special requests, guest feedback, and any areas of concern to the Housekeeping Supervisor promptly

Maintain professional etiquette, appearance, and demeanor with all guests and team members at all times

Standards, Safety & Teamwork

Uphold Forbes Five-Star standards in all daily operations and guest interactions

Follow all sanitation, disinfection, and safety protocols as established by The Inn

Complete all tasks listed on the daily checklist and submit to the Housekeeping Supervisor before end of shift

Attend all department meetings and training sessions as required

Support cross-departmental needs as directed, demonstrating flexibility and a team-first mindset

Qualifications

Required: Must be at least 16 years of age

Required: Availability to work weekends, holidays, and a flexible schedule based on business needs

Required: Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to interact professionally with guests and team members

Required: Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining a high level of attention to detail

Required: Proficiency with standard housekeeping equipment including linen carts, vacuums, mops, floor machines, and cleaning chemicals

Required: Must be well-groomed and well-presented with no visible tattoos

Preferred: 6 months to 1 year of housekeeping or facilities experience, ideally in a hotel or resort setting

Preferred: Prior experience at a Forbes 4- or 5-Star luxury property

Preferred: Familiarity with Forbes Travel Guide standards for housekeeping and public areas

Preferred: Ability to communicate in a language other than English, particularly Spanish

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb for extended periods throughout an 8- to 10-hour shift

Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds (mattresses, furniture, linen carts, cleaning equipment)

Ability to perform repetitive motions including reaching, twisting, bending, and gripping

Ability to work in varying environmental conditions including indoor and outdoor areas, exposure to cleaning chemicals, and temperature fluctuations

Ability to navigate stairs and move freely between multiple buildings across the property

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Benefits & Compensation

The Inn at Little Washington offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that may include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, a retirement savings plan, an employee dining program, and professional development opportunities. Specific benefits vary by position and employment status. The Inn is proud to be located just 30 minutes from Culpeper, VA, in the heart of Virginia's wine country.

Important Notices

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Inn at Little Washington is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

At-Will Employment

This job description does not constitute an employment contract, express or implied, and does not guarantee employment for any specific duration. Employment at The Inn at Little Washington is at-will, meaning either the team member or The Inn may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, to the extent permitted by law.

Job Description Scope

This job description is intended to convey the general nature and scope of work typically performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The Inn at Little Washington reserves the right to amend or modify this job description at any time to reflect changes in business needs, job requirements, or organizational structure. Team members may be required to perform additional duties as assigned by their supervisor or management.