SUMMARY

A private family is seeking a dependable, experienced, and hands-on Estate Couple / Property Caretaking Couple to oversee the day-to-day care of a nearly 700-acre private property located near Barrie, Ontario.

The successful couple will work with a high degree of autonomy and will be trusted to identify priorities, anticipate maintenance requirements, and ensure that the property remains safe, functional, organized, and exceptionally well maintained throughout the year.

The responsibilities are divided into two complementary positions: one primarily focused on grounds, equipment, land, and exterior maintenance, and the other primarily focused on housekeeping and household support. Both individuals will work collaboratively and assist one another when required.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Grounds, Land & Exterior Maintenance

· Oversee the day-to-day maintenance and care of approximately 700 acres of fields, forests, trails, landscaped areas, and surrounding grounds.

· Perform mowing, gardening, brush clearing, bushhogging, and general groundskeeping.

· Maintain existing trails and assist with the creation and improvement of new trails as required.

· Monitor and maintain fencing, gates, roads, drainage areas, and other property infrastructure.

· Identify developing maintenance issues, such as damaged fencing, trail erosion, drainage problems, or deteriorating infrastructure, and recommend practical solutions.

· Carry out general carpentry, fencing, repairs, and preventative maintenance throughout the property.

· Assist with seasonal property requirements, including snow clearing, storm response, and other weather-dependent work.

· Assist with hay and other agricultural or land-management activities as required.

· Feed, handle, and assist with the general care of horses when required.

· Maintain vehicles, machinery, tools, and equipment in clean, safe, and reliable operating condition.

· Keep workshops, barns, equipment areas, and exterior storage spaces clean and well organized.

Equipment Operation & Maintenance

· Safely operate tractors and implements, skid steers and attachments, zero-turn mowers, spray equipment, chainsaws, and other gas-powered equipment.

· Perform routine inspections, servicing, preventative maintenance, and minor mechanical repairs.

· Monitor equipment condition and identify maintenance or repair requirements before they become larger problems.

· Coordinate specialized repairs or servicing with outside contractors when necessary.

· Maintain appropriate supplies, tools, parts, fuel, and maintenance materials.

Housekeeping & Household Support

· Perform comprehensive housekeeping of the main residence and designated outbuildings.

· Carry out routine and deep cleaning to maintain residences and buildings to a consistently high standard.

· Manage laundry, linens, and general household organization.

· Organize storage areas, cupboards, household supplies, and other designated spaces.

· Assist with grocery shopping, errands, meal preparation, and general household needs.

· Monitor household supplies and replenish inventory as required.

· Assist with the care of domestic animals as needed.

· Ensure residences and guest areas remain clean, welcoming, organized, and ready for use.

Property Oversight & Security

· Maintain a regular presence on the property and remain attentive to unusual activity, maintenance concerns, weather-related issues, and potential security risks.

· Monitor access to the property and assist with visitors, tradespeople, contractors, and service providers.

· Coordinate and oversee contractors working on-site when required.

· Conduct regular property checks and proactively identify areas requiring attention.

· Help ensure buildings, gates, equipment, and designated areas are appropriately secured.

Logistics, Deliveries & Inventory

· Receive and coordinate deliveries to the property.

· Maintain appropriate inventories of household, maintenance, agricultural, and property supplies.

· Assist with purchasing and sourcing materials, equipment, and supplies as required.

· Coordinate transportation and movement of items between buildings or properties when necessary.

· Occasionally perform duties at other properties and associated buildings belonging to the family.

Guest & Event Support

· Prepare guest accommodations prior to family or guest arrivals.

· Assist with occasional gatherings and events, including property preparation and setup.

· Provide practical support during events when required.

· Assist with post-event cleaning, organization, and restoration of the property.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Outdoor / Grounds & Equipment Position

· Significant hands-on experience operating and maintaining tractors and implements, skid steers and attachments, spray equipment, chainsaws, and other gas-powered equipment.

· Substantial previous experience working with rural properties, farms, agricultural land, forests, or large estates.

· Strong practical knowledge of groundskeeping and property maintenance.

· Experience with carpentry, fencing, and mechanical repairs.

· Knowledge of hydraulics and electrical systems is a strong asset.

· Experience handling and caring for horses in a patient and compassionate manner is a strong asset.

· Ability to safely perform physically demanding work outdoors throughout all four seasons.

Household Position

· Previous experience in private household, estate, hospitality, housekeeping, or a comparable service-oriented environment is preferred.

· Strong housekeeping, cleaning, laundry, and organizational skills.

· Ability to maintain residences and household spaces to a consistently high standard.

· Comfortable with grocery shopping, errands, basic meal preparation, and general household support.

· Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently without constant supervision.

Both Candidates

· Impeccable honesty, integrity, discretion, and reliability.

· Practical, conscientious, self-directed, and highly responsible.

· Strong initiative and an ability to recognize what needs attention without waiting for detailed instructions.

· Genuine pride in performing work thoroughly and properly.

· Kind and compassionate toward both farm and domestic animals.

· Comfortable collaborating as a couple while also independently managing individual areas of responsibility.

· Physically capable of performing demanding household and outdoor duties, including lifting and working in varying weather conditions.

· Comfortable living and working semi-independently in a rural environment.

· Valid driver's licences and reliable transportation.

· Flexibility to respond to seasonal, weather-related, animal-care, and other time-sensitive property requirements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

· This is a full-time, permanent, live-in position.

· WSIB coverage.

· Vacation and statutory holidays in accordance with the Ontario Employment Standards Act.

· All authorized hours worked outside the normal schedule are tracked and paid at the applicable hourly rate.

· Occasional travel to other family properties may be required.

This position offers a rare opportunity for an experienced and capable couple seeking long-term responsibility for a substantial rural estate, considerable day-to-day autonomy, and the opportunity to make a beautiful private property their home.

Private Household & Farm Estate jobs

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Estate Couple / Rural Property Caretaking Couple

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