The Caretaker Gazette March / April 2022

Alaska

[Contact info available to subscribers] caretaker needed. We are located at the [Contact info available to subscribers] caretaker is responsible for providing basic services at four popular Chugach State Park trailheads: Glen Alps, Upper O’Malley, Upper Huffman, and Prospect Heights. The [Contact info available to subscribers] trailhead offers excellent access to alpine areas including the popular Flattop Mountain. Common activities in the area include wildlife viewing, hiking, dog walking, climbing, berry picking, and biking. During the summer season, the job duties will include restroom cleaning, garbage pickup, visitor counts, incident reporting, visitor interaction, and other duties as assigned. The requirements of this position include working with minimal supervision, exercising good judgment, and maintaining high maintenance standards. The winter duties will include those described above although on a smaller scale due to decreased visitation. The position can be physically demanding. Additional winter duties include snow blowing/shoveling, maintaining access to fee stations and latrines, snowmobile operation, and winter trail maintenance. Activities during the winter include skiing, hiking, sledding, wildlife viewing and snowmobiling (if the snow depth is adequate). Experience in winter-based activity is especially helpful. The summer time commitment is five months, from May1 to September 30. The winter commitment is from October 1 to April 30. The housing allowance includes the host cabin and phone. No pets permitted. To apply, please write to [Contact info available to subscribers]

LIVE-IN CARETAKER NEEDED for a lodge building in Anchorage. We are looking for a person to live in one of our buildings to maintain the common areas and be a caretaker for the building at night. Cleaning includes but is not limited to several bathrooms, hallways, kitchens, laundry room, lobby and getting rooms ready to rent. You will be expected to communicate with guests, make card keys for guests to access rooms and assist with people that have accidently locked themselves out of the building or room. Responsible for keeping out people that do not live in the building as that is a huge safety concern for our guests. Room with a private bathroom plus wages would be provided. Starting wage will depend on experience. Please text [Contact info available to subscribers] to apply.

Arizona

CARETAKERS NEEDED to maintain a ten acre Tucson horse property (100 hours a month of work) in exchange for a 1,500 sq. ft. house with all utilities paid. A couple is preferred. Horse knowledge, with handyman and landscaping skills, is a must. Please send your resume to caretakergazette@gmail.com and include “Tucson Horse Property” in the Subject Line for forwarding purposes.

A BEAUTIFUL HOBBY RANCH in the Southern Arizona Mountains seeks an animal caretaker for dogs, cats, goats, sheep, alpaca, cows, chickens, peacocks… but mainly the dogs. Will involve cleanup chores and running a floor machine. Vet tech experience is a plus. You will need to live on site and be flexible on the schedule. Fifth wheel accommodations provided. Looking for like-minded people to have a peaceful low drama living and working environment. You can bring own horse or ride ours. Must be able to pass a background check. You can apply by emailing [Contact info available to subscribers]

A SEVEN-ROOM BOUTIQUE INN in Tucson seeks onsite Innkeepers. Includes guest welcome/registration, continental breakfast set-up, housekeeping and laundry, timely room turnover, (or refresh room), minor repairs (furniture touchup/wood glue, minor painting, organization of shop and supply items, etc.), common area cleanliness a must. Consistency in amenity/room presentation and professionalism is essential. Requirements: social, self-motivated, and disciplined (able to maintain self-control, able to roll up one’s sleeves/work hard sometimes long yet rewarding hours), forward thinking and able to anticipate situations and environment, conscientious, be kind and respectful. Experience: Minimum three years of prior Innkeeper experience position, familiarity with OTA’s and Booking system ThinkReservations a bonus. Social media posting ability, Canva and marketing skills a plus. Background in hospitality suggested but not required. Quarters: private space tucked just off the pool/jacuzzi. This historic building used to be the ol’ carriage house and kitchen “out buildings” that have been connected and lovingly restored for the prior owner’s residence. Please send a resume and salary expectations to [Contact info available to subscribers] for a March 1, 2022 start date.

Letters to the Editor

Thanks to the Gazette for running my Situations Wanted ad. I am nearing the end of a three month caretaking assignment in Puerto Rico. Now that I am ready to look for another position, I am curious, how do I become one of your Caretaker Profiles? Steve J., Tampa, FL

Steve, I am sure that our readers would be interested in reading about your caretaking assignment in Puerto Rico. Any of our readers who are currently involved in, or recently returned from, a house sitting or caretaking assignment are welcome to submit a profile of approximately 1,800 words along with four photos. If selected, we will work with you to edit your profile and publish it for free for you.

Hi Gary, thanks to the Situations Wanted ad that we ran in The Caretaker Gazette we received several emails from property owners, one of which led us to caretaking a small sustainable and permaculture farm in Costa Rica. We are thrilled because this is what we’ve always dreamed of doing! Your publication has been the light at the end of the tunnel for us as we were ready to downshift and drop out of the rat race. Thanks for providing an excellent service! John and Wendy G., Guanacaste, Costa Rica

John and Wendy, thanks for sharing your successful experience with your Situations Wanted ad that ran in The Caretaker Gazette. We’re glad that you are downshifting, dropping out of the rat race and doing what you’ve always dreamed of doing. We look forward to hearing more about your experiences in Costa Rica.

Wow, were you ever correct when you said I would get a response to my cat/house sitting ad! I came home from a few days away to find nearly 40 emails and several letters in response – I haven’t even gotten my copy of The Caretaker Gazette yet so it came as a wonderful surprise. And, honestly, how do you ever even choose? They all (or most all) sound absolutely great and the kind of people you would like to know and have in your home. Thank you; thank you for providing such a terrific service. Nancy M. Cedar Key, FL

Nancy, more and more property owners, like you, tell us that they have found their best house sitters by advertising in the Gazette. Please keep us in mind the next time you’ll need a cat/house sitter for your place.

Dear Gary, I have been a subscriber to your newsletter for many years now and am enclosing my check for another three year renewal. I have always felt that when I retired I would take advantage of one of the many opportunities that you advertise. Early this year one of the email updates interested me enough that I sent an email to the property owner. After a couple of email exchanges the owner called me to say that I was one of the finalists. Because I was not yet retired and the position did not provide health insurance I had to turn her down at this time. I still feel that when I am ready your publication will provide me with an interesting opportunity to supplement my retirement. Thank you. Richard N., Frisco, TX

Richard, thanks for renewing your Gazette subscription for another three years. Glad to have you with us again. Now that you’re retired and ready to accept a caretaking position I’m sure you’ll find some interesting positions in the Gazette. Many of our retired subscribers supplement their retirement income by accepting house sitting and caretaking positions. They also tell us that they use the Gazette to discover a better location for their retirement years.

Arkansas

house sitter NEEDED for my large home in Riverwalk Farm Estates in Bentonville, AR. Will also need to care for my two dogs. Need the house sitter to start around March 15 with an indefinite time-period (at least four months while I’ll be out of the country). Can be a single person or couple (no children or other pets please). Must be dependable, trustworthy, responsible, and a nonsmoker/drinker/drug user, and in good health. Care for my home, dogs, and indoor plants. We have a weekly landscaper who takes care of our lawn and outdoor plants. Early retirees, retirees, or a part-time student would be OK. Can work in the home. Small wage possible. Be a homebody and spend most of your time on my property. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Australia

CARING HUSBAND AND WIFE farm-animal sitters wanted for pet lambs and gardening for two weeks from February 9, 23, 2022. I have a quiet 10 acre farmlet on the edge of Inverell, a large town in northern New South Wales. I have seven pet lambs for you to look after (and spoil) in their daily routine, water vegie and flower beds in my spacious garden and mow the lawn. There is a shady area for your van with shower, bathroom, laundry available plus water and electricity. Must be non-smokers and no pets. I will require two past house sitting references, Police Check and Covid 19 Vaccination Certificates. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers].

FREE ACCOMMODATION IS OFFERED to an experienced builder/renovator/handyman in exchange for approximately six hours of work per week. Assistance needed to renovate a cottage over two to three months (negotiable) starting ASAP. We are situated at Goomeri, within one hour from Gympie in Queensland. The work hours can fit in with your needs/schedule. A fair arrangement will be dependent on your skills, abilities, experience and age. Your own tools, transport and positive attitude are essential. Having a pet is negotiable. Only trustworthy, thoughtful, respectful and careful persons need enquire. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers].

CARETAKING OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE outside of Merredin, Western Australia. I’m seeking a fully self-sufficient couple or individual to camp on my farm. I am developing a new farming operation, located approximately 25 kilometers from the town of Merredin. I require a physical presence to deter any would be opportunistic thieves or trespassers. Some basic experience or knowledge of livestock is an advantage, no physical work involved, just keep an eye on stock for any obvious illness or injury. There are limited facilities on the farm, but it is connected to town water. I will be working away for the next 12 months on a two week on, two week off roster. During the two weeks off, I am at the farm, so the caretakers can head off exploring. I can supply genset fuel and a weekly account at a grocer in town for basic supplies and groceries. This position would suit someone looking to park up out of the rat race and save some money while the Covid Pandemic works itself out. Please call for more info on my mobile at [Contact info available to subscribers].

FARM HELP NEEDED from people in their own RV. We have a working cattle property and wedding venue. We are located in The Whitsundays, Queensland, 12 kilometers from Proserpine. We are looking for a couple or single person to help feed our animals daily. We have three pigs, a couple of horses and some cattle locked in yards, and a water garden. There is no heavy lifting, only light duties. We are happy to have people all year round and currently looking for helpers. There is a site for a caravan with water, power, bathroom and laundry facilities. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers].

GARDEN ENTHUSIASTS WANTED to get an established Farm Cottage Garden back into shape for future “Farm Stay Accommodation”. In lieu of gardening, accommodation will be provided in this three bedroom fully furnished farm cottage along with a vehicle. Confidence using all gardening tools essential. We are Beef Cattle producers (Raff Angus) with both Stud and commercial Angus cattle located in the southeast region of King Island called Lymwood. One month is the preferred duration of the stay commencing as soon as possible, however this is negotiable. Unfortunately due to Covid border restrictions we will not be able to cater for people from Victoria or New South Wales. If you are interested and living in Tasmania, then please contact me initially by email at [Contact info available to subscribers]

A KURANDA HORSE AND PONY CLUB CARETAKER is needed. Searching for a land management capable couple or person who loves mowing and gardening and is mobile with their own caravan/RV to live on/caretake and upkeep the Kuranda Pony Club grounds in Myola Kuranda. Three acres of mowing and trimming with club equipment and fuel provided in lieu of rent and capped power. Person(s) will need proof of residency and a blue card. Spectacular area amongst the rainforest and by the Barron River and very welcoming for nature lovers. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers]

Belize

WANTED, two persons or a couple to experience COVID Free tropical living in southern Belize by caretaking [Contact info available to subscribers]. Request a three to four week commitment any time from March to November. If you have Peace Corp experience or served in the military it would definitely be a plus. Even though we have the place for sale, it does not preclude us from visiting friends and family in Hawaii and California. If you are wondering why we are selling [Contact info available to subscribers], you can Google [Contact info available to subscribers] or email [Contact info available to subscribers]

California

WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE NEED for a solo or couple live-in caretaker to help maintain a nonsmoking ranch facility without kids in Northern California. This position requires being comfortable in a rural setting and understanding the demands of farm life. We are 40 minutes from the closest town. This live-in position comes with a fully furnished mobile home with utilities as well as a monthly salary. Pay is based on experience. This commitment is for a minimum of 90 days however if both parties are content the contract can be long term. Must have a current California driver’s license and legal status. Must have handy skills and general maintenance experience, including but not limited to fence mending, light carpentry, painting, groundskeeping, gardening, irrigation systems, equipment operation, security, must like animals as assistance with pet care is needed. More important than anything is a can-do attitude and a willingness to learn with no drama. Serious applicants can apply to caretakergazette@gmail.com with “Northern California Farm “in the subject line for forwarding purposes.

WANTED: A WILLOW CREEK CARETAKER WITH RV. I would like to exchange an RV site for caretaking my place in Willow Creek. It’s a nice level site in town, with power, water and septic included. Would like a year round occupant. I would prefer no animals. If interested, please call [Contact info available to subscribers] with any questions.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A LIVE-IN, PART-TIME HORSE caretaker for a small ranch in Salinas, California. This is a work exchange for a beautiful place to live and an opportunity to do good for others. You would be responsible for feeding our seven horses morning and night and help with repairs around the ranch as needed. The exchange is for 20 hours of work a week and any time beyond this is paid hourly. We are open to retired horse whispers or anyone with horse experience. We have kept our seven best horses to start up a local therapy program for those going through a loss or difficult time. We are not doing this for profit as we just want to give back to our local community. $16 – $18 hour is paid for work beyond the exchange. If you are interested, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

GENERAL CARETAKER NEEDED in Valley Center, California. This is a work trade situation. Responsibilities include: animal feeding, mending fences and building structures for mechanic and irrigation. Trade the work for free housing, and there is $100 a day for extra work past this exchange. For more information, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

THE [Contact info available to subscribers] is looking for year round maintenance worker(s) for our 55+ senior RV park/mobile home community in Niland, CA. Full-time hours available for a single worker or part-time hours for a couple who would like to apply together to get the job done. Job Duties will include: General housekeeping and maintenance of facilities (Rec Hall, bathrooms and showers), grounds maintenance/landscaping, perform repairs as needed, routine maintenance of swimming pool and spa, dispose of garbage around the park, and assist with additional duties as needed. Pay is $15.00 an hour. Benefits: rent and accommodations may be provided and is negotiable. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers] for more information.

AN INNKEEPER COOK is needed for a unique Inn located in the charming mountain town of Idyllwild, CA. The annualized income will range between $40,000 and $50,000 with housing accounted for. We are very flexible, but the ideal candidate will have at least two years of lodging management experience or other comparable guest-service-oriented backgrounds. Training provided. Couples are welcome and each will pay by the hour. The Innkeeper or one of a couple needs to be a good cook and provide food service through an on-property fast-paced food truck. The Innkeeper’s primary responsibility is front desk guest service, property management, and housekeeping. The owner handles sales, marketing, financials, legal, and Human Resources. The Innkeeper must be willing to be hands-on in all areas, help housekeeping with quick turnarounds, laundry, and occasionally plunge a toilet. To apply, please send your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

[Contact info available to subscribers] has a caretaking opening for RVing hosts. This hosting position is at our remote day use firing range. We are looking for the proper individual or couple who is wanting a southern California RVing location. The property is a secluded fee for use area, located in the chaparral covered northern San Bernardino National Forest. We are conveniently located close to I-15/215, and 210 freeways. Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino are easily accessed. The facility is located at the 4,400′ elevation in the shadow of Mt. Baldy, highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountain range, and the Sheep Mountain Wilderness Area, in the Lytle Creek Canyon drainage. The adjoining communities are still rural, however a large mall and other amenities are a half hour drive. Low humidity, without extreme temperatures, makes for a comfortable environment the majority of the year. This is a controlled use area. Activities in a developing controlled shooting range include the use of firearms and archery equipment from designated locations at designated targets. A tolerance of firearms is expected. The firing range is open seven days a week. The hosts are expected to maintain a presence on the property after hours, merely as a deterrent to unauthorized entry. The applicants should be mature and responsible individuals or couples who are self-sufficient, reliable, dedicated to a commitment, and independent. The facility is active from 08:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon, with light traffic on the paved road after hours. Host positions are seasonal. Applicants are expected to have a clean, self-contained RV, and should be able to provide proof of insurance and current registration. A tow behind the vehicle is a plus. The host area is separated from the shooting area by approximately 70 yards. Currently, conditions are primitive, boondocking experience is preferred. Ten hours per week, per person, twenty hours per couple covers the cost of weekly sanitation service, potable water deliveries, as well as an alternative power source, propane. Pets are acceptable, as long as shots are current and they are kept under control. Local activities include hiking, fishing, hunting, bird watching, stargazing, 4-wheeling, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, gold mining and panning, and peace and quiet. This could be a fine situation for active retirees who enjoy the seclusion of the outdoors and enjoy people in moderation. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Please email Greg for an application and to schedule an interview at [Contact info available to subscribers] Please note that [Contact info available to subscribers] is an equal opportunity recreation provider.

Canada

CANADIAN APARTMENT BUILDING RELIEF caretaker/manager needed. We need a part-time, live-in person, for a high-rise, leasehold, apartment building, located in the west end of Vancouver, BC. Work times will be Friday pm to Sunday pm, with statutory holidays and vacation coverage for manager’s days off. Duties will include: covering manager duties, picking up garbage around the building, grounds, and garbage bins, walking the property, checking entrance ways, laundry rooms etc., replacing burnt out light bulbs, general caretaking, responding to the emergency phone, and writing a daily report. The ideal candidate will be a mature, reliable, experienced person, with Canadian citizenship. This is well suited for an active, semi-retired person. Remuneration will be in the form of rent compensation (in the Relief Manager’s unit, a one bedroom apartment), plus benefits. No pets please. Please email your resume and contact phone number to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Canada/france

SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED ESTATE MANAGER who will oversee the day-to day operations of a Toronto residence and will work with a team on the oversight of a vacation home in France. In France the candidate will work with the French Estate Manager to ensure high-level management of the property, including any major construction and maintenance projects, and assist with the upkeep of household manuals. In Toronto, the candidate will be much more hands-on, and be responsible for all the details of the home. Both homes have appropriate housekeeping staff. For both residences, the successful candidate will be one that thrives in an environment with defined processes and standards. They enjoy maintaining and developing the manuals and checklists that support a well-organized home. The position requires a high energy individual with an excellent work ethic and a sense of pride in work well done. And importantly, the candidate understands that all assigned tasks are taken on with full ownership, and seen through to completion, in a timely manner. This role requires that the candidate be comfortable working in close collaboration with a very hands-on homeowner who cares greatly for their home. Daily “touch base” meetings, weekly reports, and an open and constant dialogue define the management style of the principal. Finally, both homes are highly cultured, semi-formal, but are kept to the highest standards. Duties: work with all staff and services to maintain household and property standards, train and manage all household staff, ensure that all household manuals are regularly updated for both residences, keeping the Toronto manuals current and working with the French House Manager for the manuals in the home in France, manage all household inventories, screen and oversee all trades and services, including contractors and construction projects for the interior of the home., coordinate with the Head Gardener for the oversight of all exterior trades, oversee household security and safety; ensure that protocols are maintained by all staff, manage all maintenance systems, organize major storage areas in the home and offsite, do event planning, execution, and logistics; entertaining is hands on and to the highest standard, installation of holiday décor, vehicle maintenance and occasional driving, have the ability to be hands on with all housekeeping roles if required, including cooking, managing the food system including, biweekly food plans, data entry into the recipe database, inventories, etc., and assisting as required with food and meal preparation. Must be legally entitled to work in Canada, with a valid driver’s license and passport. Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The salary is competitive, according to experience. Three weeks’ vacation, a house car will be available for work duties, and other benefits are provided. The starting date is as soon as possible. To apply, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers].

Caribbean

LOOKING FOR A CARETAKER COUPLE, OR AN INDIVIDUAL, to be Resident Caretaker. The position is for part-time duties at a small beachfront Caribbean Inn on the island of Culebra. Work would include checking in guests and light duty jobs. Free housing and use of the laundry facilities are provided plus payments for services rendered. The applicant should be in good health, resourceful, trustworthy, financially secure, and addiction and drug-free. For USA citizens, a passport is not needed to fly from the States, as Culebra, Puerto Rico is a territory of the USA. For more information, please visit our web-page at [Contact info available to subscribers]

Colorado

FULL-TIME, ON-SITE property manager/caretaker/maintenance needed in Steamboat Springs at a private Estate including three buildings, with 12 bedrooms total. We rent to one group at a time hosting weddings, retreats, and reunions. Live your dream life in the mountains while helping contribute to a thriving business. We are looking for a team player, someone who understands this is a lifestyle position where the guest experience is the focus. Skills required: maintenance, fixer-upper, customer-service, CPO-certified, self-directed, mature, proactive, and well-rounded. No dogs. To learn more, you can visit [Contact info available to subscribers] Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

LIVE ON SITE CARETAKING/MANAGER NEEDED in Aurora, Colorado. A walk up apartment complex in Aurora is seeking an, experienced, mature, reliable live-in individual. Some duties will include cleaning and grounds keeping, managing, renting apartments, collecting rents, move in/out paper work, answering the phone, tenant requests and general maintenance. This is a full-time position. Remuneration plus benefits available. To apply for this job, please email your resume and contact phone number for a follow-up phone interview to [Contact info available to subscribers]

FULL-TIME CARETAKER NEEDED in Jamestown, in Boulder County. Lots of building maintenance, all of the yard work you’d ever want to be a part of, and do you like vehicle maintenance? Yeah, there is quite a bit of custodial work too. You should be acquainted with various trucks, cars, ATVs, backhoes, dozers, graders, able to drive standard, automatic, road work, culverts, lots of tree works, trail work, ESP, snow shovels, spin casters, fly rods, jackhammers, wood working, woodpeckers, vacuums, garden hoses, fire hoses, rope swings, big swings, trash cans, out houses, pond scum, have a good memory, sheetrock, tire chains, skiing, boarding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, timber frame, first responder, star gazing, sawmill, SEL planes, chainsaws, concrete work-a-plenty, painting, roofs, ladders, climbingtrees and rocks, hiking, crawling, laughing, landlines, punch lists, drills, rope work, doing rope work without ropes, know your animals, love your neighbors, learn even more first aid, cell phones, email, more tree work, and the list goes on! Yep, we know, you are an amazing personality and you should be able to cap it too. Seriously – this is an amazing thing going on, come on and put in an application and a resume and get an interview, this won’t last long. Also, you should have some ten or more years of skills built up. We are an amazing group of people doing amazing things. It is worth quitting what you’re doing, if you’re the right person. Good pay, retirement plan, paid sick days, paid vacation, personal days, personal space, and maybe a bit more included. House provided. It’s a nice three bedrooms, two bathrooms, with one (two car) garage, all utilities (excepting internet) paid for. To apply, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

England

EXPERIENCED BUTLER/HOUSE MANAGER and Cook/House Manager Couple sought for a prestigious sporting property in Devon. The property, which is open to the public for two months of the year, hosts regular shooting parties during the season, (a maximum of 25 people) and private tours in the summer months. The Principals are busy professionals and so are seeking flexible, proactive and responsible candidates to ensure the smooth running of the property, in addition to managing the in-house staff team. There are two full-time Housekeepers. No gardening or maintenance is required, as this is done by a separate team. The house is in formal surroundings with a relaxed atmosphere. In-house training is carried out for all staff on a regular basis. The usual working hours are five days a week and 40 hours. During the shooting season, candidates will be expected to work evenings and weekends and, occasionally, a six day week. This position comes with a self-contained, two bedroom apartment within the main house with its own entrance and car parking space. Sorry, no children or pets. An excellent salary will be offered to the successful candidates. Must have clean driving licenses and have good IT skills. Please apply by mailing your resume and references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Florida

AN EXPERIENCED CARETAKER OR CARETAKER COUPLE wanted, outside of Orlando. This is a live-in position. Must have a good knowledge of cattle, horses and animals, and be hardworking, organized, and detail-oriented. Looking for motivated and self-starting individuals (willing to work as a team with others). No smoking or drugs. There are eight buildings and property to be maintained. Must have general knowledge of all functions pertaining to farm work, including but not limited to fencing, building maintenance, grounds keeping, equipment, and handyman skills, cleaning inside and out. Serious inquiries only. Please send your complete resume, references and salary requirements to [Contact info available to subscribers]

WE ARE IN SEARCH OF A CARETAKER COUPLE to help maintain a 2,500 acre privately-owned ranch in the Ocala, Florida area, along with its dwellings. The ranch is seeking a highly motivated full-time couple who can assist the owner, ranch managers, and all ranch employees in all day-to-day ranch activities which may include, but are not limited to: using tractors to maintain the fields, planting food plots and clearing brush; planting spring and fall food plots; predator management; keeping feeders full and operational year round fence monitoring and maintenance; maintaining game cameras; keeping tree stands clean and in good condition; maintaining equipment in good working order; working with any sub-contractors, as necessary; building and maintaining relationships with local vendors; guiding hunting guests on an as-needed basis; maintain the dwellings on the property; maintaining the grounds; maintaining the privacy of both ranch owners and guests; and be willing to fulfill special requests as needed. Excellent time management and organizational skills required, along with a high degree of professionalism and understanding of the importance of discretion. Private housing is provided with full kitchen facilities, utilities, and internet. Competitive salary offered. Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, or a similar field. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. minimum, and be a self-starter and hard worker, with experience operating heavy equipment. Applicants may be subject to a background check and are expected to maintain the privacy of the properties. Must be well groomed and presentable at all times. Previous ranch experience is a plus but not required. To apply, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

WANTED – Domestic female live-in in Ft. Myers, Florida. Over 30 years old, please. Immediate position. Reside in a beautiful villa with your own private bedroom/bathroom. Small dog friendly. Tend to an 82-year-old woman on a walker in her own suite. Responsibilities are keeping a tidy house, and three meals daily for Lois. You may have to refill the meds every two or three weeks. Lois takes her own medication daily. In exchange for living in a country club you have food, all utilities, internet, and $200 weekly pay. We have a non-drinking household. Covid free CDC card. Beautiful setting. Country club heated pool, Jacuzzi, gym, clubhouse. Lois plays a game on Thursdays from 2 to 4, needing assistance getting from her walker onto her scooter and walk her to the clubhouse and then retrieve her afterwards. The Villa has an extra bedroom for family daughters to visit, then you’ll have time off. You can have a job if you like, Lois prepares seven breakfasts weekly and you can prepare seven lunches also. We would prefer that you be home for her dinner time. And it is absolutely necessary that you sleep over every night. This is a seven day a week job but has much free time throughout each week. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

RV SITE AVAILABLE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY on the East Coast of Florida (30 minutes south of Daytona). Free site, water and garbage, and up to $150 in electricity, in exchange for handyman, woman or couple working 20 hours per week on the property. Full hookup, 50 amp, provided. Some animal care involved. Feeding ducks and fish. There is a bumpy road coming in, but it is passable. RV’s up to 38 feet have been here. If interested, please send a note and references to [Contact info available to subscribers] Background checks will be done.

France

A CHATEAU IN NORMANDIE (LISIEUX) needs a housekeeper. This magnificent property, with historic listed buildings, with grounds for horses, forest, apple cider field, needs a responsible housekeeper. The candidate will have some experience either or in gardening, forest, animals, mechanics, or cultural center activities. He or she will have a driving license, references and basic French. Conditions are negotiable. This position requires a long-term commitment with serious credentialed candidates only. If you are interested, please apply by mailing your resume and references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Georgia

CARETAKER COUPLE NEEDED FOR A FAMILY COMPOUND on Cumberland Island, GA. Great benefits: salary commensurate with experience, partial health, and newly constructed home inside a national park. Responsibilities: Four houses, multiple vehicles, powerboat operation, grocery shopping, house cleaning. Must have good people skills, basic mechanical, and carpentry, electrical and plumbing skills sufficient for maintenance and minor repairs. Boating experience required. Please send your cover letter and resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Hawaii

WORK TRADE OPPORTUNITY for a Property Caretaker. Aloha, I’m seeking a person(s) or couple to take on a work trade opportunity in Opihikao. Ideally looking for experience with a sustainable, off-grid property. Landscaping, gardening, plumbing, electric, carpentry, and cleaning skills. The space is on multiple acre property with natural Hawaiian views and ocean views. The space is partly furnished, a one bedroom space, with a kitchenette, refrigerator, and outdoor shower. There is a new compostable toilet that needs to be installed. Looking to trade a place to sleep with power and hot water for 15 – 20 hours of work per week. Help with maintaining the grounds, general handyman work inside and out, house cleaning, and possible house sitting when the owners are out of town. The ideal candidate(s) should have experience in building structures/dwellings and working with off-grid systems (solar, catchment, etc.) Our goal is to build a few more dwellings on the property with off-grids systems as well. Cell service in this is area limited (AT&T and Cricket seems to work best.) Please send your resume and references via text to [Contact info available to subscribers]

ALOHA FROM THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII. Escape the cold, and exchange your environment for the tropics. We have a 2.25-acre estate in Kona, and are in need of an individual with finish carpentry skills, light plumbing and electrical, painting, and general maintenance. We could entertain a couple for this position, with the second party doing 18+ hours weekly housekeeping duties. This commitment is for a minimum of 90 days, however if all parties are content the contract can be long-term. This position will be open as of now. If hired, one can expect a round trip ticket from your nearest major airport to Kona, Hawaii. While on the property, we will provide you with private hi-end accommodations, free cable and Wi-Fi, maid service once a week, gourmet breakfast and dinner daily, and a negotiated stipend. Lastly, we will occasionally give you free use of a vehicle to explore the island. We are in one of the most beautiful parts of Hawaii, and I believe in the world. No drug use, no smoking of any kind, and responsible alcohol use! We are not excepting applicants who intend to bring children or pets. The applicant must have his or her own health and auto insurance coverage. This is a “Work for Hire” position and does not imply employment. We are seeking a self-motivated, organized, in shape and strong, and very tidy and clean individual, who will work 35+ hours a week to upkeep our estate. We are willing to train in our procedures, but you must have experience and be proficient in the following areas: there are occasions where we have projects which include sanding and painting, pressure washing, and tiling. It is also important to have some skills in plumbing and electrical. We undertake many small and large projects that need to be accomplished in between the general maintenance responsibilities. A fully equipped woodshop is onsite. You must be proficient and competent in using the following; saws (miter, circular, jig, band, table, scroll, plunge circular, tile saw, and Sawzall), multi-tool, tenon and biscuit joiners, routers, planers, drills and drill press, Dremel tool, sanders and belt sanders, finish sprayers, and a rotary laser. In addition to the use of the above tools, you would be responsible for the maintenance and light repairs of these tools. We have over 50 different fruit and spice trees and bushes, vegetable and herb gardens, and a ¾ acre botanical garden with rare palms, Heliconia, and Gingers. It is fabulous. We all work hard here, and we believe in quality over quantity. Our motto is; “If you undertake a project with us, do it to your fullest potential, or don’t even bother” We encourage good ideas, creativity, and a team approach. The property has a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. It is a spectacular place. If you feel this position might be your calling, please give me a call to set up an interview (I can do Skype, zoom, and FaceTime) and please send me your resume and references, as well. All applicants will be subject to background checks. You may contact me, [Contact info available to subscribers] for questions. Aloha and mahalo! Please forward resumes and references to [Contact info available to subscribers] and include the terms “House of Kona, caretakers” in the subject line of your email. My response should be received within 48 hours.

Iceland

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED in Reykjavík from August 14 to August 27, 2022. This is the twelfth year in a row [Contact info available to subscribers] offers projects in the Botanical Gardens in Reykjavík. Reykjavík is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources such as geothermal power. About two thirds of the population of Iceland live in Reykjavík including the metropolitan area; over 200,000 people. The world’s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavík is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. Visitors easily experience the pure energy at the heart of Iceland’s capital, whether from the boiling thermal energy underground, the natural green energy within the city and around it, or the lively culture and fun-filled nightlife. The Botanical Gardens are an outdoor collection of living plants, founded in 1961. The garden is open to the public and free of charge. [Contact info available to subscribers] volunteers will be doing general park maintenance and assisting the horticultural staff tending to the collection of perennials, alpine trees and shrubs in the garden. The garden organizes guided tours and events throughout the summer, the volunteers may assist in their preparation. These special events are all related to the general aim and work of the garden and some of them are carried out at short notice. The work can be repetitive as general gardening tasks tend to be and most of it is outdoors. The project starts early every weekday: working hours are from 8:00 – 15:00, except on Fridays, when work finishes at 12:00 as a part of an ongoing research into shortening the working week. Volunteers have to be motivated to start work early in the morning, but in compensation they will have more free time in the afternoon. No previous experience is necessary. As it is outdoor work, volunteers must be ready to adapt and be flexible with the working and free-time schedule, as depending on the weather, we may not be able to perform some of the tasks or activities planned. [Contact info available to subscribers] volunteers will stay in an equipped house, in a beautiful setting in the Botanical Gardens of Reykjavík, which are located about four kilometers from the center of the city. Please be aware some items or ingredients may be expensive in Iceland and you will need to buy them yourselves or bring them from your country. For more info please visit [Contact info available to subscribers].

Idaho

FULL-TIME CARETAKERS NEEDED for a remote backcountry lodge in Cascade, ID. Looking for a couple (we would consider the right single) to finish out the winter season at the lodge for us. It is snowmobile access only, off-grid. There is no phone service but there is good dependable satellite internet (Wi-Fi calls). General maintenance and housekeeping required. Pump gas for drop in snowmobilers and serve burgers and quick food, we also rent cabins and do some meals by reservation. We need someone ASAP!!! Would hope they could finish out the season (until late May) but would consider a commitment through March also. This position also has the potential to be year round. Room and board with negotiable wage provided. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Louisiana

house sitter NEEDED for my three bedroom/two bathroom home outside of Waggaman in Jefferson Parish for the month of March. I have two cats that will need to be cared for. For more info please email caretakergazette@gmail.com and include “Louisiana Property” in the Subject Line for forwarding purposes. Thanks.

Maine

ISLAND CARETAKER NEEDED IN PORTLAND, MAINE from late May – October (ish). This is a beautiful private island, with a high-end campground plus events. The caretaker basically lives in a tent all summer! Composting toilets, solar showers, food, small weekly stipend, off-duty time, and end-of-season bonus provided. Great people stewarding in an incredible place. Any/all experience preferred: hospitality, housekeeping, carpentry, landscaping, and trail maintenance. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers] with interest and experience.

Massachusetts

MARTHA’S VINEYARD [Contact info available to subscribers] is seeking experienced Innkeeper(s)/Manager(s). Set on an eight acre farm on Martha’s Vineyard, this position offers the opportunity to oversee the development and direction of a top-notch hospitality team, assuring a warm and gracious welcome to all guests. Responsibilities include managing reservations, phone, and digital inquiries, offering concierge service for local activities, managing vendors, ordering inventory, cost controls, and housekeeping management. Working in concert with the Chef, the ideal candidate will also help manage and oversee food and beverage operations. Must have a passion for customer service, the ability to thrive in a dynamically changing environment, while working independently to run the Inn as if it were their own. This position will report directly to the owner. Please send resumes to [Contact info available to subscribers]

A LARGE FAMILY living north of Boston seeks a highly energetic, live-in couple for their beautiful 12,000 sq. ft. home on eight breathtaking acres. This is a dynamic family with four beautiful children. Her responsibilities will include housecleaning, laundry, ironing, family meals, and occasional food prep for small dinner parties, grocery shopping, running errands, and indoor plant care. His responsibilities will include lawn mowing and yard cleanup, trash removal, coordinating with contractors, care for eight automobiles, occasional chauffeuring, snowplowing (truck provided), occasional bartending, and care of two dogs and two cats. Important qualities for this couple include experience in a large family home, self-starting with great energy, discretion, flexibility, can-do and willing attitudes, nonsmoking, and child friendly. The family owns two additional homes in Maine and Vermont, to which they travel frequently. When the family is in residence, the couple will work 10-hour days with a schedule of 10 days-on, four days-off. Salary is commensurate with skills and experience and includes health insurance benefits, paid holidays and two weeks’ vacation, and newly-renovated carriage house apartment. To apply, please email your resume and references to caretakergazette@gmail.com and include “Massachusetts Couple Position” in the Subject Line for forwarding purposes. Thanks.

Michigan

HAVE YOU ALWAYS DREAMED of running a cozy Cottage Inn on an idyllic island? The adventure of a lifetime at [Contact info available to subscribers] awaits. We are looking for a friendly and active person, or couple, to live on the property and host guests at our historic 14 room bed & breakfast from May through October. Just steps away from Main Street, Downtown Mackinac Island, Lake Huron, and miles of gorgeous trails to discover. Visit with guests in the common area, rock on the wrap-around porch, tend to a small garden in the yard. To begin your most memorable summer yet, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Minnesota

MOTEL CARETAKER NEEDED. Looking for a responsible, mature caretaker for an onsite, live-in position in Hutchinson, MN. Responsibilities include checking people in and out, reporting occupancy to the manager, light maintenance and housekeeping. A two bedroom apartment and bills paid along with pay on the 1st and 15th of every month. Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug test. Please reply by texting your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers].

Missouri

LOOKING TO ESCAPE THE RAT RACE? An elderly couple with magnificent secluded 130 acres and year round stream, need person(s) with experience, maturity and energy to help do organic gardening, landscaping, assist with building projects, general maintenance and cleanup, some housekeeping and back-up caregiving, 25 hours per week. Compensation includes RV hookups, free utilities, and five acres to build your own home on. Income-producing opportunities include use of sawmill, greenhouse, high tunnel, shop and equipment. The ideal candidate(s) would not have kids or pets, and would be organized and tidy. Please send your resume and references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

CAMP HOST COUPLE OR SINGLE WANTED in Bevier, MO. We are a 78 site family oriented RV campground in rural northern Missouri. RVers are offered a full hook-up site, salary, and Wi-Fi from May 1st – October 31st. Days off are Tuesday and Wednesday. Check guests in/out as needed. Assist guests to the correct camp site if needed. Maintain campground regulations, sell/deliver ice and wood, turn off slip-n-slide in the evenings or bad weather. Do nightly security checks around quiet time, and additional optional jobs available for $10.30/hour. Assist the groundskeeper with mowing, weed eating, etc. Please visit [Contact info available to subscribers]

Montana

LIVE IN MOTEL MANAGEMENT COUPLE interested in working four miles from Yellowstone National Park in Cooke City, Montana at our small eight unit Motel. Requirements: Must be able to pass a background check and have a valid driver’s license. Please no pets, children, drug users or smoking. Must have customer service skills and like to interact with people and be friendly and honest. Office experience such as front desk, office and computer skills, email, calendar and social media a must. Job Duties: live onsite and perform all motel operations including but not limited to front desk, housekeeping and laundry. We pride ourselves on cleanliness. You will answer phones, take reservations, greet customers, check in guests, take payments, complete daily balancing and reports as needed and other duties as assigned. Rooms must be turned before 3:00pm for check in. Need experience with online reservations such as ResNexus, Booking.com and Airbnb a PLUS. One person must have knowledge of basic maintenance skills to maintain the property and take care of flowers etc. Must be able to work as if the business were your own. **Looking for a couple interested in a long-term commitment**. The management couple will live in our on-site two bedroom 2011 home with all utilities, Internet, DirecTV, etc. paid. Two days off, one week and one day off the next week. Salary will depend on experience with bonus. The start date is May 1, 2022. Will need to arrive the last week of April. Please send your resume and references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Property Caretaker Profile

Villa di Corliano, Livin’ the Villa Loca Interests: travel, snowshoeing, hiking (doing the Portuguese Camino in May), reading, paragliding, red wine, good coffee Quote: “Just do it!” Nike. And “in the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take” Lewis Carroll

Cindy Sheahan

I’d been talking with friends about unplugging from real life and traveling the world. While reading The Caretaker Gazette, I saw a listing for a caretaker in Tuscany. My friend excitedly said, “This has your name written all over it!”. A 15th-century villa in Tuscany, between Pisa and Lucca, was seeking two-month commitments for caretaking at the estate. All that was required was to contact the Count (yes, a Count!) and let him know you were interested and go from there to see what happens… A quick email to Agostino letting him know I was beyond interested…he asked for two letters of recommendation, a photo and a quick bio if available, and a short email detailing why I was interested. The job consisted of watering the estate’s trees and flowers every day, picking up litter every morning from the previous nights’ festivities, and occasionally assisting for an hour or so at weddings and other fancy events held at the villa from time to time. These chores might take two hours or so each day, and then I was free to explore the area, making sure I was back by 8 pm each evening for security purposes. And I was free from these duties one day each week in case I wanted to leave the villa overnight. In exchange for these simple tasks, I’d be given a small studio apartment up the spiral staircase above the kitchen (like Cinderella!), complete with bed, desk, tiny kitchenette and private bath. I was intrigued! I had seen a profile in another issue of The Caretaker Gazette featuring a previous caretaker who took the same position, and contacted her with a couple of questions I had about the caretaker’s position. She was happy to answer and give me some insight as to what was expected on a daily basis. After reviewing my submission and keeping me on pins and needles for a few months, Agostino let me know that the summer months were available, was I? Um, yes! We agreed, discussed some details, and I got busy making plans to spend the summer in Tuscany. I landed here in Tuscany in an incredibly amazing 15th century villa as a caretaker for two months, with free accommodations and my very own room, all for spending just a couple of hours each day doing some flower watering and picking up any bits of trash that may have blown in. Villa di Corliano is a gem, owned by the same family since the mid-1500s and situated halfway between Pisa and Lucca – two delightful, important and historic cities in the Tuscan region of Italy. Agostino Agostini (the Count) and his wife Roseanna (a Countess now by marriage, but a Baroness in her own right!) own the property and take such pride in making sure everything is well run and beautifully kept. They live in nearby Pisa, but stop by almost every day to check on things (maybe to check on me and my not-so-amazing watering and gardening skills!). Many famous people have stayed at the Villa throughout history, including the poets Byron and Shelley, assorted kings, dukes and titled nobility from around Europe, Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, and possibly the toddler Galileo Galilei, who Agostino believes was here with his parents many, many years ago in the 1500s. The estate consists of the main house with an imposing entry hall, grand ballroom, formal office/study, the owner’s deluxe apartment for when they stay overnight or when the bride and groom stay after their fairy tale wedding at the villa; a large well-equipped cucina (kitchen) downstairs, charming breakfast room, assorted other rooms, and 10 beautiful bedrooms available to rent from the lovely Leonardo and vivacious Veronica who contract with Agostino to run a bed and breakfast within the estate. A couple of lucky people live onsite at the Villa full time, Maximillian, a lanky, tall, bespectacled and always cheerful Italian man who does yoga every evening in the gardens at sunset and keeps forgetting that I don’t speak Italian, and an older man whose name I don’t know, who smiles and bobs his head enthusiastically and says “Bongiorno!!!” every time I see him. There’s an old stable, used now for storing the gardening tools, riding mower and the many, many chairs and tables on hand for le nozze (weddings), celebrations and parties that can be held at the Villa. There’s also a chapel onsite with a small crypt below. Another outbuilding is the oil mill. A beautiful classic edifice, the roof has fallen in and rendered it unusable. There are old stone baths in this building, a thermal spring runs under the property and once, the baths were used as soaking tubs for “taking the waters” but now this building is used for storage as well (Side note, San Giuliano Terme, a cute little village with the world-renowned ‘bagne’ (thermal springs and baths) is just about a mile down the road from the Villa, and has a 5-star hotel with spa services, soaking pools, mud baths and other dreamy services available, which I will avail myself of soon).

A view of Villa Corliano

Artwork dating to the 16th century in the Villa

The grounds, about three hectares (7+ acres) are lush and green. Palm trees (I, for one, did not realize palm trees grew in Italy!), ancient cedar trees, lush hydrangea bushes with plump pink-spotted flowers causing the stems to bow from their weight, pink, white and red wild roses, English ivy, potted flowering plants and shrubs (which all need to be watered every day by me!) and two stone fountains – one with a plethora of goldfish and a couple of croaking frogs watched over by an ancient crumbling statue of a young boy, the other small pond containing seven nervous turtles who, immediately upon hearing me approach, nosedive into the murky water to avoid being seen. There’s a spectacular ginormous tree, said to be planted in the early 1800s, called The Freedom Tree, under which you can sip espresso or cappuccino and enjoy a cantuccini or sfogliatine (Italian pastries) outside the cafe in back. And everywhere on the estate, geckos of all sizes can be found, some as tiny as a child’s finger, colorful, prehistoric-looking lizards that scurry up the stucco walls of the estate and dart into the bushes, annoyed to have been splashed and disturbed from basking in the sun as I water the flowers each evening. But the main attraction at this palazzo is the artwork to be found within (and upon) the walls here. Frescoes cover the ceilings, the hallways, the entryway, the ballroom walls…even the outside walls are decorated with ‘graffiti’. Painted by Andrea Boscoli in 1592 and Nicola Matraini in 1750, these original murals are simply incredible. Many of the paintings are allegorical, and some feature astrological and mythological beings and gods and goddesses. There are dragons, cherubs, nymphs, minotaurs, tortoises, unicorns, angels, lions, fruit, princesses, centaurs, winged creatures, satyrs, kings and more. As well as the frescoes, there are statues, busts, family crests, old photos and delightful decor around every corner and in every nook and cranny. Even the steep spiral stairway to my tiny room has beautiful frescoes covering the old stone walls. In the sitting room is a concave wall in which a fountain has been created using seashells. Water flowed and cascaded down the various levels of shells until it reached the bottom. In the center of the fountain, there is a dragon above a mythological face. A few feet away, above the mantel of the fireplace, is a lever in the wall that the host could twist to enable smoke to come out of the dragon’s nose. An amazing party trick in its day, I am sure! My accommodations are so much more modest than the rest of the villa, a simple terracotta tiled floor in a stark stucco room with a tiny single bed upon a wooden platform (think “convent”). A desk, microwave and toaster oven from the 1980s, a convection hotplate from IKEA, two dishes, two glasses, a few mismatched bowls, a wine glass that I pilfered from the coffee shop downstairs, a dorm-sized fridge, an ancient 12″ TV that may or may not be connected to cable (I haven’t tried turning it on yet), and a small bathroom with bidet and a shower stall. This tiny room is where I sleep, make salads and write, and like Cinderella, I must be back at the villa every day by 8 pm in case guests have questions or will be late arrivals, so that Leonardo and Veronica can head home and know that someone is onsite for such a situation. And when weddings are here at the manor, I am expected to assist with guests, pointing them in the direction of il bagno (the bathroom) or showing where parking is available. I am able to take off from these ever-so-pressing responsibilities one day a week, and have planned a couple of overnights in Florence, the Cinque Terre, Siena and Verona so that I can explore at my leisure without having to hurry back on the last bus of the day, which is around 7 pm. Meals are not included. I make my own coffee and breakfast and a big salad for lunch, then grab cheap pizza or pasta for dinner (€10 for pasta and vino). The rest is whatever you’d spend for fun, bus to Pisa, train to Florence for the day… Ahh. Did I mention the place is haunted? Of course it is. An ancient legend says that the ghost of Teresa della Seta Bocca Gaetani still roams the halls of the villa. She was a beautiful woman from an ancient Pisa family who married Count Cosimo Baldassarre Agostini in 1755. She visits occasionally, moving the tapestries and draperies in the villa, or slamming doors and windows. During a full moon, she has been seen in the driveway, guiding a carriage drawn by six splendid horses, and her laughter can be heard in the cellar and kitchen of the villa. Ghost Hunters International, an Italian paranormal TV show, filmed a couple of episodes here, complete with electro-magnetic field radiation detectors, ambient temp sensors and other ghost-tracking devices. If you’re so inclined you can find these on YouTube. Meeting the Count and his lovely wife, hanging out with Leonardo and Veronica, Alyssia and Oriana from the B&B and meeting people from all over the world that came to stay at the villa was an experience I’ll never forget. Being able to explore the Tuscan countryside, pop over to Florence for the day, spend an overnight in Verona to see Andrea Bocelli at the Arena Coliseum and hike the Cinque Terre were experiences beyond compare. The Gazette offers life-changing opportunities to those willing to say “yes!” I’m scouring the latest issue to find my next unforgettable experience…

Detail of the Villa’s exterior

Montana

CARETAKER NEEDED for a small horse farm in Clyde Park, MT from May 31, 2022 forward. Year-round position available for the right fit. This position includes tending to horses, goats, hens, rabbits, cats, plants, property clean-up and TLC. Prefer a single, clean, tidy, fastidious, responsible, conscientious, non-smoking, minimal drinking homebody who has an outside income. This is not a position for someone who commutes. It’s a perfect situation for an artist, writer, seasonal worker, retiree, or on line employee. Horse care experience desired and I prefer no pets. Require a strong, healthy non-smoking individual who is observant, tidy, respectful of other people’s property, loving of animals, good communicator, able to lift 50# feed sacks, deal with snow, be handy and able to make small repairs. Excellent references, and resume requested. A lovely home and utilities provided in exchange for am/pm chores and TLC! Nearby is skiing, grocery, Post Office, bank and gas. Available now! Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER POSITION AVAILABLE (ASAP) for the [Contact info available to subscribers] operation located in the beautiful Big Hole Valley, in Wisdom, Montana, in a semi remote area. This is a year round position or part-time available. Located 10 miles from the local ski resort, with endless miles of snowmobile/ATV trails, and close to three local, awesome Hot Springs. There is excellent hunting and fishing in the area. It is physically demanding work. You will operate a heavy chainsaw often. There is lots of snow clearing/rooftops/parking area, etc. Deliver cut and split firewood to the house and cabins. Handyman skills needed. We offer a free cabin stay in exchange for 15 hours of honest work per week for a single person and 25 hours per week for a couple. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER JOB AVAILABLE. A working cattle ranch-owning family near Fishtail, Montana is looking to fill a part-time caretaker position to assist the family matriarch. The family is dedicated to land stewardship and sustainable practices and seeks an industrious, innovative, and responsible individual(s) committed to a similar ethic. Primary duties will include: * Care for and upkeep of several houses and outbuildings including flower gardens, lawns, trees and landscaping, and a vegetable garden * Routine animal care for horses, chickens, wild birds * Miscellaneous repair, maintenance, garbage transport, and errands as needed * Managing the website and bookings, turn-overs for a vacation rental * Transparent communication of schedules and work plans * Assisting an elderly woman with tasks as needed Secondary Duties: * Pasture weed control, irrigation, and fence maintenance * Snow removal, limited * Care and maintenance of basic equipment Requirements: * Ability to prioritize and communicate work and schedule based on changing conditions/seasons * Experience with carpentry, construction, and painting *Knowledge and experience with gardens and lawn/trees/flowers/shrubs * Experience caring for horses, fowl * Ability to lift 50+lbs * Enthusiasm with a sense of humor and strong work ethic * Eagerness to learn new tasks and skills, well organized and motivated * Good driving record The start date is May 1st, 2022, with a sixty-day probationary period followed by a one-year contract (potentially renewable). Compensation: Housing with high-speed internet, phone landline, garage/shop, access to the ranch for firewood, hiking and fishing, skiing etc. Estimated seasonal hours: 40, 50 hours/week April – September; 5 – 15 hours/week from October – March. Competitive wage and vacation time to be negotiated. To apply, please send your resume and three references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Nebraska

CARETAKER AND ANIMAL-SITTER NEEDED in Western Nebraska for four horses, a dog, and cats. This is a long-term opportunity for a capable and dependable animal lover. Need someone experienced with horses and ranch life. Cleaning corrals, barn, and feeding horses. Lawn maintenance. Feeding cats and dog when owners are away. Handyman skills are a plus. Place for RV in exchange for approximately 20 hours of work per week. Time would allow for outside employment which is abundant in this area. Your own horse or dog is possible. Located at the edge of the beautiful Sandhills and four miles from Lake McConaughy and its white sand beaches. It’s very quiet and serene on 60 acres of prairie and small woodland to wander. Abundant wildlife, exceptional birding. Explore the North Platte River and historical sites nearby. Approximately 25 minutes to town for groceries and gas. This is a great opportunity for a writer, artist, photographer seeking solitude and inspiration. No drugs, smoking or hard drinking. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

Nevada

RANCH house sitter needed from March 1 through June 30. Our Nevada home and ranch land are located near Reno, with breathtaking views of the mountains around the ranch. We have six horses on the ranch, so we’ll need a house sitter who can care for our horses. We have a four bedroom/three bath home that we’ll need the house sitter for while we are away. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers] and let us know if you can start house sitting starting March 1 until the end of June. Thanks.

New Mexico

SILVER CITY, NM. Caretaker needed for a remote ranch. Live off grid surrounded by Forest and BLM land. Duties include: feeding livestock guardian dogs, maintaining the electric fence, and water system. Large RV with all utilities furnished. Approximately 10 hours of work per week. More hours possible. Starts early April to mid-November. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

THE [Contact info available to subscribers], located adjacent to [Contact info available to subscribers] in the spectacular Sangre de Cristo mountains of northern New Mexico, has available the position of assistant innkeeper/housekeeper for the summer season April through the end of October 2022. The [Contact info available to subscribers] is a remote, destination Inn on the National Register of Historic Places. Typical schedule, subject to change, is two days a week as housekeeper and three days a week as assistant innkeeper to supplement our current staff. On-site housing is provided in addition to salary. Applicants must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and absolutely dependable. Previous experience, excellent references, and background check are required. No pets, please. Friendly work environment in a spectacular setting. For more information about [Contact info available to subscribers] and then email [Contact info available to subscribers]

OPENING AVAILABLE FOR A MATURE MARRIED COUPLE to care for houses/grounds for absentee owners. Our ranch is located in the Southwest desert adjoining the Guadalupe Mountains. Lawn and vehicle maintenance including handyman skills required of him. She will perform housekeeping, light laundry and help with grounds maintenance. Mechanical aptitude, ability to operate large equipment, some knowledge of cattle and horses all pluses. This is a long-term position with nice housing, utilities, ranch vehicle and salary. Please send your resume with contact info, job skills, prior employment history with employer names, dates and responsibilities, education level with graduation date and salary requirement. We will answer questions and provide more detail after receiving the above information. To apply, please send your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

New York

[Contact info available to subscribers] HEAD OF HORTICULTURE AND LANDSCAPING. [Contact info available to subscribers] is known for its beautiful organic gardens, providing healthy food to our kitchen and guests. We are on a 330 acre site in a secluded valley, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains. Our campus is 70 acres with 24 buildings. We have.75 acres producing vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, flowers, berries, and a wide variety of both cultivated and wild and medicinal plants. Our gardens and grounds are one of the faces of Menla, and their beauty and care is an important part of our culture and tribute to the land. Our Head of Horticulture for the past seven years is moving on, and we are looking for a Zen Gardener who brings a sense of spirituality to the work at hand. This position is full-time, from April 1, November 1, with possible part-time work through the winter months for the right candidate. Possible very affordable year-round on-site housing for the right candidate. Essential Attributes and Skills: 5-10 years of growing diversified organic production. Integrated pest management knowledge. Strong aesthetic, tidy. Able to work in difficult climate conditions (rain, cold, heat, and humidity). Able to lift 50lbs, bend, kneel, twist, and reach. Able to drive a large truck. Flexible and resilient. Able to live in a remote valley in a region with no cell service (though we do have high-speed Wi-Fi). Friendly, enjoys engaging with a wide range of visitors into the gardens. Basic hand tool skills, fence repair and small repairs as needed. Able to organize volunteer projects and instruct volunteers with little skill and no experience. Self-motivated and responsible, able to work independently. Strong observation skills, ability to assess needs of a particular project, and solve in a sustainable manner. A desire to continually learn and ability to research specific issues around horticulture and ecology as needed. Understanding of the Catskills ecosystems is a plus. Responsible for: High yield production 3/4 acre of vegetable/flower/culinary herbs/berry gardens for use in the kitchen from seed starting to harvesting to putting the garden to sleep. Maintaining and improving landscape beds throughout the property, using deer resistant plants. Clearly communicating budget needs. Floral arrangements for use in the reception area and dining areas. Indoor plant care. Seasonal container flower plantings. Continued ecological restoration work, removal of invasive species and maintaining areas which have been cleared. Interacting with guests who enjoy the gardens and grounds, including garden tours when appropriate. Working with the maintenance and kitchen team to ensure a robust compost system stays strong. Resources: A 600 sq. ft. glass greenhouse, two small sheds and plenty of tools, and a garden truck. You will be part of the maintenance team, and we have a wood/metal shop, onsite mechanic and heavy equipment operator. This is not a 9-5 job. 35 – 40 hours/week required. We understand that there needs to be flexibility built into the position to work with weather and available assistance (for example when there is a work/study crew or volunteers). Pay for a residential employee starts at $17 an hour. Pay for local applicants starts at $20 an hour. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

house sitter needed for our large home and acreage in Westchester County. Need an honest and trustworthy person to stay here. This would be ideal for a college student who lives nearby, or a retired person. This can turn into a long-term position, as we plan on foreign travel for months at a time for many years in the future and will always need help with our property. Our next trip will be from February 20 through June 1. A one bedroom/one bathroom cottage on our property will be provided to the house sitter. Must check on the main house daily, bring in the mail, and make sure that the gardener and pool person show up each week. If interested, please email some information about yourself and your references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER NEEDED for seven personal horses in exchange for a cottage in Manlius, NY. I need a dedicated horse lover. Charming cottage on a private horse farm is offered in exchange for horse care five days per week including one weekend day. We are in need of part time help 8am – 12 noon and for evening barn chores from 4:30 – 5:30pm. Some flexibility is available when coordinating with other staff. This will allow for freedom for you to work off the farm, or attend college classes if desired. Work responsibilities include all aspects of horse care such as turnout, stall cleaning, feeding, blanketing, stable management and specialty care for show horses. The farm is located 12 minutes from Cazenovia, 20 minutes from Morrisville and 30 minutes from Syracuse, NY. The cottage includes a covered front porch, an eat-in kitchen, newly renovated bathroom with stand-up shower, two closets, a loft bedroom and a spacious living area. There is also an efficient wood pellet stove for heating. Electricity and water are included. One small well behaved pet considered. The cottage will be available ASAP. A paid working trial of two weeks is required prior to moving to the property to ensure a good fit. Equine care experience, own transportation, previous employment references and rental references are required. This is a wonderful opportunity for any horse enthusiast who is looking for private country home. To apply, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

New Zealand

WE NEED A HOSTEL ASSISTANT MANAGER for our hostel in Auckland. Must have experience living in hostels and be confident and friendly talking to guests, be reliable, fun and a team player and be able to commit to at least three months though longer is preferred. [Contact info available to subscribers] is a chilled out hostel, located five minutes from Queen St and K’rd and central to all the Auckland suburbs. This position is best suited to a backpacker as it is a live-in position. A free private single room is provided. Duties include running the reception, guiding the housekeeping and cleaning team, relaying back to the manager, good communication, cash handling, back office, reservation management, guest relations, etc. Must be self-motivated, with attention to detail and love the hostel life. Mixed shifts, five days a week, 8am – 4pm mainly though could involve some evening shifts. Around 35 – 40 hours a week and $22.85 plus annual leave. A private room is also provided for free along with laundry and unlimited Wi-Fi. Only apply if you can live in. Please feel free to give us a call to discuss at [Contact info available to subscribers]. Due to border restrictions please only apply if you are in New Zealand.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME AWESOME PEOPLE to come and work with us in our lovely freshly renovated lodge in Paihia – [Contact info available to subscribers]. We are based seconds from the beach in the beautiful Bay of Islands! Work each day consists of doing various cleaning tasks around the hostel – making beds, servicing rooms or cleaning bathrooms etc. We provide comfy staff accommodation with Wi-Fi and laundry. You have access to kayaks and the pool. With the government rules this is paid work, doing up to 12 hours per week, ($20.00 + 8% holiday pay) so you must already hold a valid Working Holiday Visa and have an IRD number. This is a live-in position – your accommodation will be in our staff dorm room and fees for this will be deducted from your weekly pay. We are looking for people to stay a minimum of a month during the busy summer. Please apply in person at [Contact info available to subscribers]

North Carolina

PET/house sitter NEEDED. Can be a single or couple, but no pets or other people, please. I live in Asheville and have a very small 950 square foot house and a small dog. Fred is a friendly dog and he loves my fenced backyard. I will be away for most of April and May 2022. If you’re a dog-loving person, you’ll love it here. I will need to check your references. For more details, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Ohio

A UNIQUE AND REWARDING FULL-TIME, year-round opportunity is available for a highly experienced private estate head manager for our home in Grandview Heights, Ohio. This management position will provide many diverse situations requiring well developed people and estate management skills. The qualified applicant will possess eight to ten years of direct estate management experience on high end properties. Strong people management and organizational skills are mandatory. A goal oriented approach to projects, issues and challenges is essential. The proper maintenance and pristine care of the many residential buildings, structures and expansive grounds will require this manager to make independent and sound recommendations while maintaining the highest degree of quality standards. There is an opportunity for a spouse, as a part-time, seasonal cook during the summer months. The focus of this 20 – 25 hour/week cooking position would be the preparation of meals using fresh vegetables and fruits from the family’s large garden. Experience in canning and preserving is required. The workplace is a respectful and a very productive environment. This position offers excellent pay, free housing, and a generous benefits package are available and commensurate with experience. Please email a letter of qualifications with salary requirements and resume to caretakergazette@gmail.com and include “Grandview Heights Position” in the Subject Line for forwarding purposes. Thank you.

Oregon

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A CARETAKER, HANDYMAN, and gardener who knows how to milk a goat, knows irrigation and sprinkler systems, and enjoys living in a self-sustaining community environment. Mechanics and construction skills are a definite plus! We are located southwest of Grants Pass on Jerome Prairie Road. Looking for one person, and no pets preferably. We do not want pot growers, drugs, drinkers, cigarette smokers, whiners, drama, or unresolved mental/emotional baggage, and no criminal history. Been there, done all that! We just want someone who lives healthy, and is calm, intelligent, skilled, mentally stable, appreciative, and pleasant to share our charming little paradise with. That didn’t used to be a hard thing to find but now it appears to be. My husband (a woodworker) and I (a writer) are 60’ish, semi-retired, and we have four mini Nubian milk goats, 15 hens, and a lot of dogs. We have a nice, clean, modern fifth wheel to live in, plus all the milk, produce, and eggs you can eat, in trade for work, plus we require $200 for utilities/expenses. Serious inquiries only please. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

Panama

CARETAKER NEEDED IN LATIN AMERICA. Seeking a highly responsible individual or couple to oversee our tropical 5-acre property and home located in a quiet canyon in the Chiriqui state of Panama (one hour from the beach, rain forest, and Costa Rican border). Responsibilities: mowing, trimming, light planting, building maintenance, general security. Nine-month post from March 15 – December 1, or could be year-round for the right person(s). In exchange, free accommodations in your own secure cabana with covered outdoor kitchen, indoor shower, hot water. Internet available for those with remote work. You will need income to cover your daily living expenses. Prefer someone with experience living in Latin America or similar. English required. English/Spanish preferred. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers]

Pennsylvania

FULL-TIME CARETAKERS NEEDED in Bushkill, PA. [Contact info available to subscribers], has a unique business opportunity for a couple to run the Club’s hospitality service business, lodge, and grounds care. Located in the beautiful Pocono Mountains in Northeastern Pennsylvania, our club has over a hundred year history of hunting, fishing and outdoor activities with a strong dedication to conservation. Established in 1901, we are seeking a couple to care for its 1,250 acre property. The 13 bedroom lodge is situated facing a private 350 acre lake with a private caretaker’s home attached. The couple will be responsible for caring for the lodge, preparing meals for members and guests, housekeeping, grounds keeping around the lodge and in the woods when required, and general maintenance as needed. Living accommodations (a three bedroom lake view home), all utilities, paid vacation and health insurance included. Please email resumes to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Rhode Island

LIVE-IN PROPERTY CARETAKER / PROPERTY MANAGER needed. A private family seeks an experienced and hands-on professional to assist with the management and maintenance of their main 15,000 sq. ft. private residence with guest houses and a 2nd residence in NEWPORT, RI. Able to work autonomously and make high-level decisions and minimize outside influences impact on Principal(s) and act as point person on daily estate matters. The ideal candidate must be outgoing, energetic, discreet, with experience working in private households. Must be self-motivated, self-driven, no job is too big or too small, very hands-on, and willing to go above and beyond to get the job done. This person should have intermediate knowledge of household exteriors and interiors, ability to work at heights on occasion and the mobility and flexibility to navigate tight spaces and lift and carry heavy objects (at least 50 lbs.). Comfortable with being on your feet for long periods of time. Experienced with hand and power tools. Provide direct supervision (including screening and overseeing) of outside vendors, contractors, construction and renovation projects, maintenance of grounds, autos, etc. Review, negotiate, and approve invoices for utilities and services provided by vendors on the property across all residences. Serve as the sole point of contact for contractors and external service providers. Able to anticipate next steps by thinking creatively, solving problems, and taking the broad perspective to make the Principal(s) lives easier. Oversight of all deliveries; and primary point-of-contact for renovation projects and general maintenance of residences. Understanding of home automation systems (entertainment, lighting, security, etc.). An intermediate knowledge of mechanical systems and maintenance routines for HVAC, Wi-Fi, oil fired heaters, hot water, floor heating, and water circulation pumps. Familiar with FloLogic, an automatic main water shutoff plumbing monitoring system and Lutron and LED lighting systems. Hands-on duties such as pressure washing, daily checking mechanicals and controls systems in addition to snow removal, and maintenance to landscape lighting and irrigation. Conducting inventory procurement of household supplies as needed, including grocery shopping, and personal items. Always keeping properties guest-ready (interior and exterior). Running errands and adhering to special requests as needed. When housekeeping staff is not available, assist with all aspects of general housekeeping and daily cleaning of residence: vacuuming, dusting, sanitization, making beds, dishes and garbage disposal, etc. Safely drive the Principal and guests to and from destinations including offices, appointments, meetings, airports, events, assisting with luggage and packages, opening doors. Caring for all vehicles including cleaning the exterior and interior, checking for engine oil, inspection, washing, registrations, insurance, and always ensuring the pristine condition of the vehicles. Additional care of the snow blower, air compressor, and a backup diesel generator is necessary. REQUIREMENTS: On call for 24/7 and able to perform small repairs and handle things personally but also can identify when the task requires outside vendors and will do what it takes to provide a concierge level of service. SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, must be flexible to work weekends as needed by the Principal(s). Must be available after hours in case of an emergency. COMPENSATION: Negotiable, along with room and board, car and more. The owner is on site in season (May/June – September/October). Please email your cover letter and resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

URGENT REQUIREMENT FOR ANIMAL LOVING PEOPLE (especially vets/vet nurses) to help take care of the animals on the tiny island of Mayreau, St Vincent and The Grenadines. Mayreau is the smallest inhabited island of the Grenadines. This is a great opportunity to live in self-contained free accommodation and sample the “old time Caribbean” on a very friendly, unspoiled island (population 270), in return for help in looking after the welfare of all the island animals, including our own rescue dogs and cat. You must like dogs, cats, and farm animals. We are vegetarian and vegan friendly. Wi-Fi available. To learn more about us and to contact us, please visit [Contact info available to subscribers]

Scotland

EXPERIENCED, ENERGETIC COUPLE WANTED for a large family home in Central Scotland. We are looking for a couple who are self-motivated with a flexible attitude, and take a logical approach to tasks required. Previous experience in a similar role would be advantageous and assisting in all areas including housekeeping, cooking, laundry, gardening and maintenance is essential. Driving licenses are essential and you will be expected to work as necessary, meaning long days, evenings and weekends, not all the time but when the family are in residence but especially during school holidays. The package includes self-contained furnished accommodation. Please apply by mailing your resume and references to [Contact info available to subscribers].

South Carolina

RESIDENT COUPLE NEEDED for an historic plantation perfectly situated midway between Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. One should have excellent fine finish carpentry skills to work full-time on plantation structures. The other person could work full-time in either gardening, house painting, or housekeeping. The job includes a spacious one and one half story brick house with pool on the plantation, along with a $70,000 per year salary. All inquiries should be by phone to [Contact info available to subscribers].

South Dakota

AN [Contact info available to subscribers] ATTRACTION needs couples from May – September 2022. Must have your own RV. The job duties will include maintenance, groundskeeper, and retail. Compensation will be full RV hook-ups and a salary. To apply, please send your resume and photo to [Contact info available to subscribers].

Texas

RANCH CARETAKER COUPLE NEEDED at a privately-owned ranch in Sunnyvale, Texas. We are looking for a reliable and motivated Ranch Caretaker Couple team to manage many aspects of this privately owned ranch. Duties include: upkeep of fencing, mowing, landscape, ranch buildings, and equipment as well as running errands as needed to support ranch activities and assisting the ranch manager, general maintenance and management of the interior and exterior of the residence, structures, and grounds, general repairs around the ranch and within the home, clean and dust furniture, baseboards, windows, equipment, walls, etc., clean and disinfect sinks, countertops, floors, toilet, mirrors, tables, chairs, refrigerators, microwaves, etc., sweep, mop, vacuum and/or hand scrub floors using brooms, mops, and vacuum cleaners, identify potential safety or maintenance issues and communicate them to the owner, empty trash cans and recyclables into disposal areas, replenish supplies in restrooms and kitchen, assisting with the care for animals on the ranch, assisting with setup and teardown for events, always keep property at guest ready level throughout the year, organizing and managing contractors, supplies and inventory acquisition, and other special duties as assigned, and must be able to assist in all areas of hospitality while working with the owner and/or other family members. Must be physically fit to perform the job duties, to include lift/carry, use of ladders and tools, etc. Must have the ability to maintain good relationships within the community, guests, as well as the owner. Must be able to safely operate a tractor, truck and other equipment including power and hand tools, and have the ability to work autonomously. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Vermont

FULL-TIME, LIVE-IN PROPERTY CARETAKER (or daily, living off-site) position available caring for a 30-acre property in central Vermont that is a corporate and family retreat. The owners are long-term employers who use the residence on the property throughout the year for business and personally. The property is used for corporate, social and family events. Fantasy Island is a gorgeous working farm located in Marshfield, VT. We have many animals ranging from beautiful pheasants, chickens, ducks and peacocks to cows, alpacas, llamas, mini horses, and big draft horses. So many more in between. We take pride in providing the best care for the land and our animals throughout the year in all the seasons. The farm is a family retreat as well as a working Airbnb, corporate and social event grounds. We are continuously expanding, adding more attractions to the farm and more animals to the pack! We hope to find a person(s) (couples welcome) who is just as passionate as we are about the place and looking to better it each day. We are looking for a property caretaker(s) to oversee and execute the daily operations and tasks of the property. You will provide ongoing maintenance, repair, remodeling and care of the property. The caretaker(s) will be responsible for the following, but not limited to: mowing lawns, gardening, painting, cleaning of the main house/guest house, guest interactions, cleaning/maintaining animal corrals, feeding/taking care of animals, riding/training the horses, building/repairing buildings on the property, building/repairing the fence line, cleaning garage buildings and barns, snow removal in winter months, basic plumbing and electrical repairs, enforce rules and regulations, perform equipment maintenance, and diagnose problems and contact the appropriate vendor(s). The caretaker(s) must be mechanically inclined and experienced in mechanical repairs (i.e. small engines), repair work and lawn/outdoor land maintenance. The caretaker(s) will work on projects to update the buildings on the property (renovation work) and will complete these projects themselves and contract out when needed (e.g. electrical, plumbing work). Must have a knowledge of horses and animals, as well as riding. The caretaker must be aware of their limitations and meticulous in their actions to avoid causing larger issues. This property is seeking long-term caretaker(s) who can step into and keep it running. Full housing is available, there is room to board one horse, and a salaried option and other benefits. To apply, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

HOUSEKEEPER AND CABIN MANAGER NEEDED. [Contact info available to subscribers] is hiring someone with high standards to clean our cabins, manage the laundry, and ensure that all cabin supplies are maintained. As the sole manager of the five cabins, you will be in charge of our customers’ first impression upon arriving at the property. We offer free housing, internet, and heat in a small furnished studio apartment with a private entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and a beautiful view of the Vermont Mountains. The job can be part-time hourly or full-time salaried. We are flexible on compensation for the right person. $500 bonus in the first week, paid vacation (additional unpaid vacation in slow season available if desired), with an annual bonus. We also offer farm produce, eggs, and cheese subject to availability. The job is physically demanding and you must be capable of pulling the cleaning cart with supplies, equipment, and laundry between the various buildings in all weather conditions. The ideal candidate will enjoy living on a farm and appreciate Vermont winters and all the surrounding area has to offer. Please send your resume and cover letter (no phone calls please) to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Virginia

LOOKING FOR A NEW CARETAKER/INNKEEPER to start April 1st at our unique property in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We designed and built this 6,500 sq. ft. home to retire in and pass on to our kids almost 20 years ago. The home overlooks Back Creek, which draws deer, herons, turkeys and lots of beautiful native wildlife. We did not expect to leave, but had an amazing opportunity and decided to leave our home. We now live outside the US. We started in 2019 with the concept of doing a proper BnB, but COVID cut that off, and we pivoted to a VRBO type rental. The property is unique and has huge potential. Without any real marketing we were able to fully rent the property by the week through the summer high season. Currently we are profitable at just 33% occupancy! We are looking for someone to come and live at the property, maintain it and help market and build the brand as a high end retreat center and family gathering space starting April 1st, 2022. You can learn more and see photos at [Contact info available to subscribers] If this sounds interesting to you we would love to talk to you. Please contact us at [Contact info available to subscribers]

Washington

[Contact info available to subscribers] is looking for an experienced operator. This is an opportunity to run your own business on Blakely Island, a private island community in the heart of the San Juan Islands. The store and marina have historically operated May through September. Revenue sources include: sales of food, beer, wine, clothing, sundries, souvenirs, fishing and other marine related gear; coin operated laundry and shower facilities; and a share of revenues from fuel sales and transient moorage. An onsite two bedroom apartment is provided. For more information please contact [Contact info available to subscribers]

OUTRAGEOUS CARETAKING OPPORTUNITY AVAILABLE for a single or couple to manage and maintain our 5-acre historic farm on Bainbridge Island. Rent free cottage apartment with beautiful west facing view of the Agate Pass and Olympic mountains. Includes a modest salary of $1,200/month, utilities, and internet. Large, sunny garden and abundant fruit trees waiting for a green thumb. Around the clock love from all farm animals including watchdog Ellie, our herd of a dozen sheep, and our wonderful donkeys, Mack and Jimmy. Strong work ethic, attention to detail, mechanical intuition, farm caretaking experience and three year commitment required. Duties include: Lawn care: mowing and weed-whacking; garden, orchard and vineyard care; animal care: hay, grain, and water along with routine medical/vet/farrier procedures. Manage inventory of feed and supplements. Maintain farm equipment: tractor, riding lawn mower, various gas powered tools, etc. Preventative maintenance and mending of fences, gates, stalls, etc. Comprehensive job description available. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKERS WANTED ON ORCAS ISLAND. Housing provided. Handyman experience necessary, with caretaking responsibilities. This position involves the management of a 45 acre oceanfront property. There is lots to do and lots to enjoy! The ideal couple would enjoy living on a beautiful piece of paradise and help in maintaining it. The owners provide private housing with utilities paid. We are looking for caring people who are sensitive to caretaking and capable of handling the estate management. Artisans welcome! We are really looking to share this property with good people with the intent that we would help each other out. Please respond with references and experience to [Contact info available to subscribers].

[Contact info available to subscribers] is seeking full-time Managers/Caretakers to oversee the daily operations of the lodge. [Contact info available to subscribers] is a year round recreational facility nestled in the Cascade Mountains, one mile south of I90 on Stampede Pass Road. You can learn more at [Contact info available to subscribers] Applicants should possess knowledge or prior experience in a hospitality or related business. Experience in financial management or accounting is desirable. The ability to communicate effectively and warmly with lodge members and their guests is highly desirable. Experience and knowledge of building maintenance is necessary as well as mechanical aptitude. Duties include reservations, snow cat maintenance, maintaining cleanliness of the lodge, bathrooms, sauna, hot tub and laundry as well as snow removal from common areas. The Manager/Caretaker position is a team. Couples are encouraged to apply. A modest apartment, utilities and basic satellite TV are included. The position is structured as a renewable one year contract, 10 months paid salary of $24,000 and two months non-paid vacation in the off-season between April 1st and September 30th. Trollhaugen is a non-smoking facility. Please email resumes to [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER NEEDED on a tiny ranch near the Canadian border, 38 miles from Colville, WA. Seasonal three to four months from May to September. This is a tranquil country location. Need a self-motivated person willing to do outdoor as well as a few indoor tasks between two to three hours a day such as gardening, watering, brush pile burning, and tree trimming. Most weekends off. Must be able to operate: small backhoe, chain saw, riding lawn mower, and DR trimmer. Mechanical and computer skills are a plus. Couples are welcome, but only one paid position is available. If the Canadian border is open, it’s five miles to a Walmart, otherwise it’s 15 miles to a grocery store. Indoor bedroom available in a separate building, or your own RV. This spot in the forest would suit the artist type or someone seeking solitude. To inquire please write [Contact info available to subscribers] Applicants must include three non-family telephone references.

LOOKING FOR A CONGENIAL, ENERGETIC AND CAPABLE Henry Island Caretaker Couple. Come live in nature’s wonderland with orcas, seals, herons, eagles and more! Henry Island lies off the northwest shore of San Juan Island, Washington. It’s accessed by boat or floatplane so boating skills are essential. The work on our 13-acre estate involves property upkeep, systems maintenance, grounds cleanup, supervision of contracted work, window cleaning and handyman fixes. The caretaker also services various equipment such as small watercraft, utility vehicles, and outdoor gear. Exterior maintenance includes a hot tub, dock, irrigation system, and cleaning metal roofs and gutters. Must be smartphone and computer capable to keep expense logs and service records. Housekeeping needs include cleaning, some laundry and caring for an organic garden. Housing and associated costs are provided as well as flexibility for one person to do remote work part-time. Salary and benefits depends on experience. Please email your resume and cover letter to [Contact info available to subscribers]

West Virginia

NEED FARM HELP on my homestead: 21 acres of woods and three acres grass. Mow grass, cut weeds, apiary help, general upkeep, water young fruit trees. Care for chickens, guenies, goats, cats, dogs. Plant flowers, herbs, vegetables, weed, cultivate, harvest, home-can vegetables. Must be reliable, not afraid of hard work, self-motivated, mechanical aptitude, carpentry knowledge, experience animal husbandry, early-risers, have inner enjoyment of nature. No smoking or drinking. There are five rustic buildings. Natural color and texture. (1) Rustic one-room cabin with porch. Hardwood floors, handmade kitchen cabinets, galvanized double-tub kitchen sink in polyurethaned wood counter, hidden kitchen table with fold down legs looks like drawer beneath counter. Back of cabin has sliding double doors, front and side has very large windows. Supplement heat by wood or propane. (2) Root cellar with rustic bath house, guest area above. Upon entering through the gate, looking right are 10 acres some semi-level bottom land, year-round creek, beyond that woods. Looking left are 14 wooded acres, buildings, yard, garden. Please email your availability, previous work experience, references, skills, and phone number to [Contact info available to subscribers], then I can call you after that.

Wyoming

[Contact info available to subscribers] is a pristine, rural Wyoming working cattle ranch with guest facilities located 30 miles northwest of Cheyenne along the eastern slope of the Laramie Mountains. After 17 years our loyal cook/housekeeper/guest coordinator is retiring. Ideally, we are seeking a dynamic, personable couple or an individual to help with the day-to-day operations of both our ranch and event destination, The Stone House. The busy season begins in April (winters are fairly quiet), with prepping for summer weddings and various retreats and fly fishing. The hunting season begins in the fall when trophy big game hunters from throughout the United States come to the ranch. We seek an accomplished cook who can prepare meals for both small and large groups and can also perform housekeeping and cleaning while overseeing general upkeep. There is also a need for someone to manage the ranch facilities including equipment operation and maintenance, fencing, grounds and gravel road maintenance, weed control, etc. Experience with cattle and general ranch work would be desirable. Seeking a strong work ethic, the ability to be flexible and solid references. Housing is available; preferably no children or pets. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

RANCH CARETAKER WANTED for a private ranch in north central Wyoming. The ranch is leased for cattle grazing in the summer months. There is a river running through the ranch. There are extensive improvements including the owners’ home, ranch manager’s house, guest cabins, the shop, equipment buildings, roads, bridges and fences. The ranch caretaker’s primary responsibilities would be repair and maintenance of all the improvements, grounds maintenance, landscaping, road maintenance, and plowing. This position is for one person, but there would be potential part-time work for a spouse, and cooking and shopping for the owners occasionally. The owners are looking for a caretaker who will live on the ranch year-round. This is not a cattle and horse job. Required experience includes: carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical; equipment operation and maintenance; grounds maintenance, landscaping; and general computer skills. Please do not call. Please send your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Situations-wanted Ads

Seeking a house sitting/caretaking position in Whitefish, MT in June. I (Sophie) am a teacher and my husband (Colton) works in construction. We are a responsible and outdoorsy, young couple. We both have experience house sitting and animal care. You can reach me at my provided email to schedule a call/interview. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Southwest Michigan – South Haven area. Seeking a live-in Property Caretaker/Personal Assistant arrangement. A healthy, conscientious man with many years experience can provide capable support in many facets of life: landscape maintenance/gardening; general (light) maintenance/repairs; cleaning; painting; house and pet sitting; organization; administrative/office help; errand running; elderly care; etc. Please contact Brian by calling [Contact info available to subscribers]

Traveling female artist crossing the country west to east seeks short-term (up to two week) assignments. I cook, very light housework, mending, errands with your car, can care for dogs, cats, a few goats, sheep, chickens, koi, etc. No horse experience. I have a 21′ RV and need power and water, if possible. Teach drawing, watercolor doodling, can make card designs with landscape, house or pet portraits, and more. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

Dependable, trustworthy, single, 62-year-old man, non-smoker/drinker, seeking a house sitting position. Will safeguard/maintain home/farm and animals. Rural/remote areas preferred. Have many years of experience. Great references available. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers].

Hardworking, organized female is seeking a long-term house sitting or caretaking position in Philadelphia, PA. I am a clean and quiet individual who can manage a busy schedule, keep on track, and complete a multitude of tasks. I have years of experience with hospitality, pet care, cleaning, and general upkeep. I will consider all types of housing. Trustworthy and excellent references can be provided. If interested, please reach out to me at vanessaxenia@gmail.com Thank you.

Pro caretaker experienced ranch and property management for hire as of March 2022. Full line construction in all phases. Currently developing a tiny home village, new sewer, water, electric, well ponds, irrigation, tree felling, and am the Manager for 31 units. Heavy equipment operator and mechanic to include small engines. Have my own tools. Some innkeeping full line cook experience catering. Remote locations are OK. Looking for housing on the property and wages. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers] (I’m currently in New Mexico).

Ornamental Horticulturalist with a strong background in property management looking for an Estate Caretaker position. My name is Kyle Mike and you can contact me by email at [Contact info available to subscribers]. Current resume and professional contacts are available upon request. Willing and able to relocate.

Personal Chef/Companion/Caregiver seeks a Live-in/Work opportunity in the San Francisco Bay Area. Have over 10 years’ experience serving seniors and clients with special needs. My name is Jeri. For qualifying certifications and references please email [Contact info available to subscribers] Thank you!

Couple looking to housesit around the Salem/Boston Massachusetts area this Spring. We’re great with pets and can take care of your home and property as if it’s our own! Can provide great references. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Caretaker couple seeking a position in Tennessee (possibly the surrounding states). He is skilled in heavy equipment operation, maintenance, iron working, roads maintenance, and carpentry. She is skilled in livestock care, business management, accounting and guest ranching. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Searching for a vacant building (or land) in Maryland. Perhaps a former hospital, closed motel, former resort, park land, former boarding school, unused college dorm, farm, or church. Must be at least ten acres with facilities to accommodate twenty to thirty families and kids. Life Force, the company I volunteer with, desires to start a rehabilitation center to house displaced families and or children in need of temporary housing and retraining. Zoning would allow for horses and sheep. Cottages and/or small buildings would be allowed around a central core. Hopefully the site would have water access. Also planning for small agriculture plots for teaching purposes. Foremost desire is for ten acres and necessary zoning. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers] Thank you.

Retired single, non-smoking, no drugs, gentleman from South Carolina experienced in house/apartment/cat/dog-sitting. “Gigged” in NJ/MA/VT/VA/NH and NYC. Meticulous, detail-oriented, no dependents or posse included. Have references from homeowners, landlords, pastors, and co-workers. Was a military brat (USMC) so we moved a lot. Managed a small resort in Cape Cod, volunteered at a refugee camp on the Mexican border, was a pianist at a Spanish speaking church there, front desk hotels/motels in the Great Smoky Mountains, volunteer and pianist for the Salvation Army for 13 years. In New York now. Willing to travel a reasonable distance to meet. Prefer a minimum of two months. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

Adult couple that have returned to school to complete their degrees seek a cottage/casita on large absentee vacation estates in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Corona Del Mar, or within similar areas in exchange for house sitting, interfacing with maintenance, contractors, landscapers, pool maintenance, etc. Will also prep the primary residence for arrivals and provide on-site security. He has over 35 years of construction and electrical experience and she has over 30 years of executive assistant experience. Seeking a six month to one year term. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers]

Trustworthy couple is looking for an estate or yacht in the Southeast Florida area. In exchange for use of an estate or yacht, we provide house and petsitting, overseeing staff and armed security (concealed weapons permit). We have an outside income, and we are 30 year Florida residents and business owners. We are open to other similar opportunities, seasonal or long-term. References available. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

Farm Caretakers Available in the Derry, NH area. We will protect and maintain your farm property for the privilege of living there. Caretaking provides an immediate response to plumbing, electrical and heating emergencies. It also includes safeguarding buildings, livestock, equipment, crops, woods, roads, fields, and water systems. Location must be in New Hampshire and no more than a two hour driving time from Derry, NH. Please text [Contact info available to subscribers]

Looking for farm or ranch work. I’m a 20-year-old male living in Central Texas currently. Looking for a place where I can continue to learn the trade of cowboying while pulling my own weight. I am not the most experienced but I live my life with integrity, a strong work ethic, and a constant desire to learn. I can operate equipment, weld, do construction, and much more. Please feel free to call/message me at [Contact info available to subscribers] for any questions or references. I’m willing to travel anywhere. Thanks.

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The Nanny Poppins Agency wwww.nannypoppinsagency.com Full Serviced Domestic Staffing Agency since 1995. Inquire for services or you can apply online at www.nannypoppinsagency.com or call (888) 849-6090 for a no obligation consultation. Let us find you the perfect fit for your household or home office staffing needs. Apply for job opportunities today! Placing caretakers, estate management, office management, caregivers, chefs, housekeepers, etc. nannies, private household and office staff since 1995. Live-in and/or out. Full Service Private Staffing Agency. Covering All Areas. No Registration Fee.

XENIA STUDIO began with the quest to find a beautiful yet simple pair of earrings that was affordable but not fast-fashion. When owner Vanessa couldn’t find what she was looking for, she taught herself how to make her own jewelry. The result is a line of unique statement jewelry that focuses on harmonious combinations of shapes in pleasing color palettes. Xenia Studio’s mission is to provide affordable jewelry that is expressive and transformative, simple yet meaningful. Special adornments to accompany you wherever life takes you. To learn more, please visit etsy.com/shop/thexeniastudio and use code “CARETAKER” at checkout for 20% off your purchase.

An Alternative to Costly Medical Insurance

Over the decades many of our advertisers and subscribers, both property owners and caretakers/house sitters, have discussed their healthcare situation and possible insurance options/alternatives with us. My wife and I dropped our current medical insurance when the premiums jumped to $2,000 per month with a $12,000 annual deductible. We switched to a $354 per month healthcare program for called Medi-Share. I wanted to send you some information about Medi-Share as I thought you might be interested in their affordable healthcare. Like us, you and your family could join their community of 400,000+ who share in each other’s medical burdens. Since 1993 more than $4 Billion in medical expenses have been shared and discounted by Medi-Share members. Always free and unlimited with Medi-Share: · 24/7 Telehealth · TeleCounseling · Dental and Vision Discounts · Prayer and Encouragement If you would like to learn more, please go to http://join.medishare.com/caretaker or please call Myles Lilley who is a Member Development Specialist at Christian Care Ministry at 800-772-5623 extension 2224. I hope this helps! Take care, Gary C. Dunn, Publisher THE CARETAKER GAZETTE

For Sale: Unique property with ocean view on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. If your dream is to live in the tropics, run your own bed and breakfast, have your own organic garden, or eco/green mini-resort, hostel or simply own your own piece of paradise it will be hard to find a better place to do it, or a better opportunity than this one. For more information, please email caretaker@caretaker.org with “Costa Rica Property For Sale” in the Subject Line.

Need to earn a living to support your travels? Want to “give back” by volunteering at state parks or wildlife refuges? Workers On Wheels can help you learn how and can help you find your perfect position. For Help Wanted ads, how-to articles, tips for finding the best jobs, and a community of people who are actually living the lifestyle you dream of, visit www.WorkersOnWheels.com and sign up for your free newsletter.

Communities Magazine has relaunched with the Global Ecovillage Network – United States (GEN-US)! We are continuing with the same quarterly frequency, in-depth articles, vibrant photography, networking opportunities, and content relevant to creating resilient, regenerative communities and collaborative solutions in this time of climate disruption. Please visit www.gen-us.net/communities to subscribe/contribute.

Arizona Cowboy has written true stories in four exciting and interesting books all about half a century on horseback. 2005, was the year the books closed on the Arizona, cattle and horse ranch named the DK Ranch. After nearly fifty years there as a cowhand, I had advanced as their chief honcho. In 2005, the handwriting on the wall began and the books closed on this historic steer and horse ranch. I sadly, then, became my pen-name, The Last DK Cowboy. Read stories of true happenings during our daily work. Happily chasing steers over the open range while aboard bronco horses we were trying to make into usable cowponies. Join me by enjoying these true tales and later in the other books describing a rewarding, exciting life among wild cattle and wilder cowhands. Ridin’ out in Arizona’s beautiful, natural scenic wonders. These true tales, although unusual, are just as I recollect them. To all those who have ever dreamed of being a cowboy, here’s your chance to ride along with me as your side-kick and saddle pard. You can view an entertaining intro with many colored pictures at lastdkcowboy.com or write lastdkslashcowboy@gmail.com