Need Advice Finding a Part Time Household Manager

I think people wouldn't like the 5 hours of "on call" of being available within 30 minutes. That seems like a big ask.

Household manager is also a job title not typically seen around here - you might have better results if you curate the assignments to be in line with "personal assistant" and set regular hours. (say, 6 hours per day on 3 days per week to be mutually agreed on, or whatever)

Hello, 

I think the job sounds fine except for to be available within in 30min. Being available witjin 30min does not sound low maintenance. Are they excepted to be available within 30min during the 5 hours on call only? I would just say have set hours then. Even if that is 15hours on site and 5 hours remote work. Or saying some hours remote work. If you are flexible with the hours I would say 20hours mutually agreed upon weekly schedule. I agree with previous comment, personal assistant is better title. Personal assistant to low maintenance family.

If it's a correct statement, I would clarify that the the 30 minute availability would be within a set of 5 hours that you expect the person to be available (for example, you would not need to come in on Thursday mornings from 9-2 but you would need to be available if we needed something on Thursday from 9-2).  Seems like also a job for someone working as a part time legal assistant or part time office assistant and you could classify it that way.  I would not put the phrase 'miscellaneous and unexpected needs at home' in the ad as it makes it almost impossible for the job seeker to know if they do or do not want to do this job. Also, you may have luck making it a temporary summer position. 

the only thing I find a little confusing in your job description is the on call part. I think applicants may worry that you expect them to be on call always but are only going to pay for 5 on call hours. If that is not your intention, maybe just say 20 hours/week, flexible schedule (or list any specific hours/days you need), and then negotiate the on call part later as an extra perk for them. If always-on-call is your intention, I think that you probably need to pay a lot more!

The list of responsibilities seems like a lot, and not super well defined. As an applicant, I'd be worried about a piling-on of tasks that I hadn't agreed to do, or about being able to complete more in 20 hrs than is reasonable. 

Someone said 5 hours on call would be undesirable, but if you're paying $50/hr for that on call time I can't imagine why it would be a problem as long as it's a regular time they can plan around. Having 5 floating hours that you can use within 30 minutes notice any time would not be reasonable, so I assume that's not what you were proposing. 

You asked for feedback on the job description -- I think you might be having trouble finding someone because of that "on-call" within 30 minutes requirement. Given that your job is 20 hours a week, most people would be balancing that job with other work and/or family obligations. Some people might be able to work additional time with a day or two's notice, but 30 minutes doesn't seem reasonable. Maybe you actually need a full-time housekeeper.

Hello! Here are my thoughts/ questions/ red flags I would have as an applicant:

• What is meant by on call? Clarify exactly what you expect here - 24/7? M-F only? Weekends/ Holidays? I think this role will be hard to fill if you want someone to be on call whenever. People with children will likely not be interested.  
• Noting/ resolving repairs: how will I know what needs to be repaired? Am I expected to fix things or just arrange for others to do so? I would recommend reducing your expectation here to something like “calling tradespeople to arrange for minor household repairs”
• Monitoring service providers: am I watching the lawn guy work? What does this mean. Red flag: the feeling I get here is that I (hypothetically as your employee) will be monitored by you constantly and that will be unpleasant.
• Dinner prep: this is a little tricky because it sounds more like a “nice to have” than a “need it,” but will you be disappointed if it isn’t done?” Same with “light cleaning/ organization.” It’s pretty tricky for someone to come in with zero knowledge of what you need/ want and organize the house. 

Overall, it sounds like you are looking to pay someone quite a high hourly for the domestic work that you do. This could be a great fit for the right person as long as you ease them into it. The problem I see is it’s going to be hard to find someone who can do everything that you currently do to a standard set by you and know that it needs to be done. 

I think you’ll be more successful finding someone if you reduce the scope of your job description and make it very specific, then hire someone you vibe with that seems reliable. Start them at 35/ hr and give them raises as you add in some of the responsibilities listed above. If they are not willing or able to do it all, oh well, at least you have taken some tasks off of your plate. Good luck! 

Agree with ECMom2, it seems like set hours would be helpful and something like occasional "on call" time if available that they would be paid for. I was thinking household or personal assistant, I think it also couldn't hurt to be a bit more specific about what the needs are for the teenagers (i.e., pick-up, overseeing homework/tutors) and having clear expectations about what you really need the most help with and making sure the person has time to do those tasks (as you know shuttling kids around is so time consuming). I think the salary you are offering is very generous