The Caretaker Gazette September / October 2022

Alabama

house sitter/GARDENER needed in Helena a suburb of Birmingham, from September 15 to December 31, 2022. In addition to our three bedroom/two bathroom home, we have beautiful gardens, so we are looking for a house sitter to maintain both our house and gardens while we are away. The climate of Helena is typical of the Deep South. Our private house, including utilities, is offered to stay in for free in exchange for about two hours a day of taking care of our gardening needs. Our preference is for a single, non-smoking person, who is financially secure since we are not offering any compensation for this position. Last year, we received many house sitter responses from our ad in The Caretaker Gazette, but not from house sitters who are able to do our gardening work. We would appreciate hearing from house sitters who would also enjoy some of our landscaping work out in our beautiful garden area. Must be a non-smoker/drinker, with no pets, or children. Please email your interest and reasons for wanting to take this house sitting assignment, let us know your gardening background, and include your references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Alaska

WINTER CARETAKER NEEDED in Dillingham, Alaska from late September 2022 through early May 2023. The job requires shoveling snow off the roof of the lodge and the other building and cutting and hauling and splitting firewood with snow machines. The caretaker’s cabin is designed for winter caretaking as it is well insulated. It has a back bedroom, kitchen and living room with a wood stove and a drip oil stove/heater in the living room. It also has a pantry and a propane refrigerator, propane lights and 12-volt lights, plus a 4-burner stove/oven. It also has a water system for doing dishes and drinking water. The water needs to be brought in from the lake using a 4-wheeler or snow machine using 5-gallon buckets, we have a filter system to purify the water for drinking and dishes. Tikchik has a sauna for bathing. We are looking for someone who is a non-smoker and has basic mechanic skills and experience with chainsaws, snow machines, small generators, etc. The salary is $2,000.00 per month, food will be provided, along with transportation to and from the lodge, and telephone and Internet. Please send your resume and three references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

CAMPGROUND HOST needed near Valdez, Alaska. Your own RV will be required. Free campsite and some pay for facilities and guest care at beautiful [Contact info available to subscribers] (No RV hookups, Wi-Fi, and limited phone). Enjoy stunning views, fishing, hiking, wildlife, cooking out, quiet for napping and reading. The site has communal vault toilets, and a water hand pump. Personal picnic table, fire ring. We provide for the host: storage space, kayak, bikes, and tank dumping nearby. Bring your own paddleboard/other gear. Dogs are welcome. Located 24 miles to town. For more information and to apply, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Arizona

A 25 ACRE RANCH needs a full-time live-in caretaker to turn on the irrigation and keep the beautiful home/pool cared for as the weather changes. The owners come and go – usually two weeks per month. Animals: four barn cats and one outside ranch dog need daily feeding. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers], located in Sonoita, Arizona.

[Contact info available to subscribers] is seeking a live-in caretaking couple to help on our rural property in northern Arizona. Seeking assistance with property maintenance, organic garden, small vineyard, landscaping and BnB house cleaning. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers] To learn more and see photos, please visit our website at [Contact info available to subscribers]

FULL-TIME RANCH CARETAKER couple needed at a family ranch in the Rimrock area. The job involves lawn mowing, sprinkling, irrigation ditch maintenance, house cleaning and upkeep, handyman work, and feeding the livestock. Housing offered along with a salary of $45,000 – $50,000. To apply, please send your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Letters to the Editor

Howdy, I’m wondering if you folks might know of a writer/editor who “knows” the caretaker realm and offers services helping those of us who need to smarten up their resumes to send out to Gazette postings. As you know, many of us wear so many hats but yet exist on the fringes of this unique “if you know, you know” world of making your way caretaking – hopping on/off of service work that run the gamut. I am such. Whilst there’s some wordsmithing aplenty in my vernacular and articulations, it may not be (nor seemingly has been) the path forward to reaching prospective employers or situations. Got anyone in your black book to share? Very willing to pay for such services! Let me know if you can help. Thanks much and cheerio! Christopher Sean R., Santa Fe, NM

I would encourage anyone who can help Christopher Sean with his resume to please reply to santafefixer@gmail.com or Wildramble@gmail.com or call him at (206) 909-2622.

I have an online subscription and love all the email updates I receive from the Gazette almost every day. I have yet to log in using my password to read an issue of the Gazette. Am I missing anything by not reading your online issues? Henry F., Baltimore,

Md

Henry, you are missing a lot! You should log in to www.caretaker.org anytime, at your convenience, to read the current issue. Each issue has 16 pages. Many ads are only published in our issues, and never appear in our email updates. We also have these Letters to the Editor (I hope you have logged in so you can see your Letter published here) and our Caretaker Profile story. We also have our Situations-Wanted section. If you need any help in logging in, please email us at caretakergazette@gmail.com and we’ll provide you with very easy log-in instructions to use. Please don’t call us, because of security concerns, we don’t give out password information over the phone.

As a new subscriber, I’m wondering if I should publish my own Situations-Wanted ad in The Caretaker Gazette? If so, how much does it cost? Please let me know. Thanks. Judy T. Little Rock,

Ar

Hi Judy, we charge $0.65/word per issue for a classified ad. Our issues go online at www.caretaker.org for two months and are also published in our print issue. Our next ad closing date is September 15 for our November/December issue which starts going out on October 7, 2022. You can read about someone who has published her own Situations-Wanted ads in our Caretaker Profile story on Pages 8 and 9.

Hi, I am not getting any of the email updates that are emailed out every week. I used to get them. What happened? Mike L. Boulder, CO

Hi Mike, thanks for writing. We have emailed updates to your yahoo.com address every week since you subscribed. Have you checked your Spam Folder for them? You can log into your account anytime, and you can see the latest email update that we have emailed to you, right on your Welcome Back page after you log in.

Gary, I have noticed a number of Help Wanted ads in the Gazette that ask to contact the Help Wanted advertiser via your email address of caretakergazette@gmail.com. Why is that? Why don’t you publish the property owner’s contact information in their ad? Larry R., Hendersonville, NC

Hi Larry, thanks for asking. Sometimes we have some celebrities or very wealthy, well-known property owners who need to hire a caretaker, but they prefer to remain anonymous when advertising. They pay us an extra $15 to use our email address in their ad so we can then forward all responses directly to their email address. We always ask the property owners to contact each applicant that we forward to them, even after they have filled their position.

Australia

MY HUSBAND AND I operate a tourist attraction, retail shop and cafe on Kangaroo Island. We are looking for a couple with their own RV who are looking to enjoy beautiful Kangaroo Island for a while. We would like someone to start ASAP. We are wanting someone to help with our grounds man and cleaning jobs for about one hour each morning, five days a week in exchange for power, water, gas and laundry facilities. Depending on your skills there will be paid work. We have plenty that needs doing in many areas plus help in the shop and cafe. We will provide an area for you to live that will be next to a laundry, toilet and shower block on our farm. South Australian applicants should call [Contact info available to subscribers].

HELP WANTED AT [Contact info available to subscribers], an over 50s caravan park in Townsville, Queensland. Free RV site, power, and water in exchange for four short days per week, mowing, gardening, and doing check ins at the gate. Commencing November 2022 onwards for three months or more. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers].

WE WOULD APPRECIATE A LITTLE HELP around our 30-acre Barramundi Aquaculture Farm located one hour north of Cairns (near Mareeba) on the beautiful Atherton Tablelands. Our property borders the Barron River at the rear and has a focus on sustainable agriculture. We have a big vision and are slowly converting this traditional Barramundi Farm into the most sustainable regenerative agriculture, permaculture and aquaponics farm possible to make this farm very food productive. We have already added 256 solar panels for energy efficiency and are now focused on food security. I have been working in the environmental management and community development field for 20+ years and now pouring my knowledge and experience into developing our new farm. Experience is not essential; we prefer a desire and willingness to learn. There is plenty of room for your inspiration and creativity here too. We are family friendly (three kids, two adults). In our spare time we like aquaculture, aquaponics, permaculture, organic gardening, sustainability, biodynamic, self-sufficiency, eco-tourism, community development, hiking, nature, wildlife, tropical rainforest, energy efficiency, cultural heritage and house renovations. We are an active family that loves the bush and playing in nature. The family come and go while I (Rod) manage the farm. We welcome short or longer stay helpers. We provide a wonderful opportunity to learn about aquaculture, aquaponics, wicking beds and organic gardening, permaculture, a large variety of different food plants, as well as local food networks, and what it takes to run a successful small business. You will be learning and participating with myself (Rod and/or Evelyn) and/or other volunteer helpers. We have lots to do and are happy to meet and host people throughout the year and offer community development and food production skills. I plan to do all the following work this year: planting fruit trees, build wicking bed gardens, build greenhouses and Aquaponics gardens, composting and establish permaculture gardens, make coconut oil, ginger beer, a black soldier fly larvae box, weeding, pruning, painting, water tank installation, make a moveable chicken tractor house, make a pizza oven, etc. Aquaculture work includes fish harvest (every week), fixing a dam jetty, cleaning paddle wheels, setting up a fish nursery, fish tanks for breeding, general cleaning, building repairs, concreting posts, fencing, feeding our 50,000 fish daily, mowing lawns, tractor work, whipper snipping, etc. We usually work 7:30am, 12:30pm each day (so it’s not as hot), Saturday/Sunday are days off (just 30 minutes feeding the fish in morning and the days yours). We’re flexible and also happy for you to work full days and have full days off if that works better for you. All the rest of the time is yours to explore. If you’re fun loving and appreciate a fair work exchange for accommodation, knowledge sharing, meals, laundry, Wi-Fi, and hanging out with an Aussie family at the fireplace or BBQ, please consider us as your hosts. We can also show you around the natural sights (spotlighting night animals, waterfalls, aboriginal art, etc.) to celebrate getting jobs done. We love exploring the natural rainforest surrounding Cairns, Daintree and Tablelands. Also have a metal detector and love swinging that around. Maybe we could find some treasure if keen? We’ll provide breakfast, lunch and dinner (when you’re home). If you would like to cook, we’re always interested to taste someone else’s cultural food creations. We would appreciate it if you do the dishes as a “thank you for the cooking sometimes”. We’ll do the dishes if you cook dinner. We eat home cooked meals every day using our own organic vegetables and fish. Usually cook on the fire or BBQ and have a great time-sharing story with our guests. Hope you like fish! At the moment we are suited to the more adventurous type of person. Let’s call the accommodation rustic! It’s not 5 stars but we’re doing our best with what we have. If you have your own van that’s really easy as we have a separate outdoor toilet/shower block by the river and you could park near it. If not, we have beds with mosquito nets over them in a livable shed with an inside bathroom and kitchen. It’s not flashy yet we provide a 5-star effort. If you prefer, we can set you up outside in a tent also. You won’t be disappointed with our willingness to help you. We also have Satellite internet. We have mobile phone coverage around the farm from many spots. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers] I can pick you up from the Cairns airport if pre-arranged. Will always try and assist.

LIVE-IN CARETAKERS POSITION AVAILABLE. [Contact info available to subscribers] is situated on 100 beautiful acres of rainforest at Bellenden Ker, set in the foothills of Wooroonooran National Park and 15 minutes away from the Babinda Village (45 minutes from Cairns, Queensland). This position would ideally suit a semi-retired/retired couple wanting to enjoy the beauty of nature in a rainforest setting. If you are used to city noises this will be a treat as the only sounds you’ll hear are early morning Kookaburras laughing and a variety of birds singing across the forest. If you are lucky you may see a cassowary or two, butterflies and small lizards abound. A short walk leads to a small flowing river suitable for bathing. The position comes with a self-contained, air conditioned, furnished unit to live in on the property with all linen provided, access to laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and Netflix. There is also a garage for your vehicle when no guests are on the property. Phone coverage is limited but access via messenger is available. The position is to caretake the unique homestead and rainforest retreat accommodation and assist with general maintenance of the property such as mowing, pool cleaning/maintenance, gardening and general maintenance so you will need to be able to demonstrate proficiency using power tools, chainsaw, whipper snipper, zero turn ride on mower skills, as well as chook pen and veggie patch upkeep for one person and general housekeeping with an eye to detail for the homestead and guests for the other person. You will need to be physically fit as the property is not flat, a self-starter, be able to prioritize work and work autonomously as well as a team, 2 to 2.5 hours per day each (four to five hours total) five days a week, and in return will be provided with a generous weekly allowance to be negotiated with the successful candidates depending on skill levels. You will need to be flexible and available for weekend work should the changeover of guests coincide with a weekend. Preference is for stays of a minimum of three months but we are open to longer periods for the right couple. Preference will be given to non-smokers and definitively no pets allowed or children, as this is an adults only retreat. If you are in Australia and interested in applying, please call [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] or email [Contact info available to subscribers]

California

OFF-GRID ORGANIC PERMACULTURE FARM CARETAKER needed in the Siskiyou Mountains. We’re five miles deep into the national forest. Mountainous, densely forested terrain, running a successful, completely self-sufficient/sustainable farm with cabin rentals economy, too. Tasks include general animal care, feeding, cleaning, goat milking, gardening, and hosting Airbnb guests. Trading work from 8:00am to noon seven days a week (28 hours) for your own cabin, all your food plus $50 a week. I’m just looking for the right person, who wants to live and work this way. Please read over our entire website at [Contact info available to subscribers] We have an agreement here for no smoking of any kind or chemical dependencies. There is an application for a visitor/member to complete on our web site at [Contact info available to subscribers] Please complete that first, and then after Maitreya Mountain Village receives your completed application, we can have a phone conversation. Thanks.

CARETAKER NEEDED for a beautiful 40 acre ranch in Upper Ojai, California. Looking for a live-in caretaker (couples welcome too) to manage this amazing residential property. Agriculture, landscape, groundskeeping, and irrigation experience are a must. Willing to get your hands dirty and tend to gardens, orchards, maintenance of the property, and repairs around the homes. Oversee and assist with renovations, manage minimal staff, organize, use a computer, resourceful, with handyman knowledge, i.e., electrical, plumbing, and can do all of the various projects around the property or find the right people who can. Knows how to operate a tractor, self-starter, can troubleshoot, and solve challenges. Willing to do errands, ensure all of the needed supplies are on hand. Comfortable greeting guests and making sure visiting our ranch is a delightful experience. Must drive, be English speaking, Spanish a plus, but not mandatory. We want our home to feel like yours and as busy professionals we need reliable, honest experienced help! Dog friendly, no smoking, athletic, not afraid to take on new projects, creative ideas, easy going a must. We want someone who takes great pride in their work and will take on all of the duties that need attention. No livestock or horses, just two beautiful dogs. Salary $80,000 + work truck provided. Looking for someone from Ojai County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County or the neighboring areas. For more information, please contact [Contact info available to subscribers]

‘IN SEARCH OF CARETAKER(S) in Southern California – with any or all of the following skills: Builder/handyman, mechanic, pilot, organic gardener/permaculture, healthy cook, healing arts, yoga teacher, admin, computer, assistant/secretarial skills, organizer, animal and nature lover. Please email your resume/letter describing any training and skills to [Contact info available to subscribers]

LOVE TO CLEAN? Love Point Reyes and want to have loads of free time to enjoy nature? Come live here [Contact info available to subscribers] and work 10, 15 hours/week cleaning. We’re one hour north of San Francisco in Marin County, California. We’re located a half mile to the entrance for Point Reyes National Seashore Park. Looking for one (one only) person to start in August and clean two to five hours/day, usually three or four days a week. Simple morning/evening chores too. View your living space and read more at [Contact info available to subscribers] This is an ideal situation for someone who loves quiet, country life, has a car, no pets and probably has some side income or retirement. Please commit to at least four months. Please write with your questions to [Contact info available to subscribers] and thank you so much for reading this and exploring the links above.

PRIVATE MOUNTAIN RANCH CARETAKERS NEEDED in Northern California. Immediate availability. A private mountain property, off the grid, in the Cascade Mountains of Northern California is seeking a mature caretaker couple. Must be a self-starter, organized and in good health. Must like the outdoors and people. Duties include: maintaining equipment – tractor, golf carts, forklift etc., being handy with tools – chainsaw, weed eater, mower, grounds keeping – mow, weed eat, general maintenance, snow blowing, supervise hired help as needed, and have knowledge of the lawn sprinkler system. Must like animals – some animal care. Seasonal cabin cleaning, up to five hours a week. Compensation: $40,000 annually, along with a very nice two bedroom home with all utilities included, and two weeks paid vacation after one year. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

[Contact info available to subscribers] looking for a live-in ranch caretaker couple in Antelope Valley, California. This is a great opportunity for a young family. Must have years of experience working with horses. The full-time job description includes but not limited to: living on the property and managing the day-to-day operations, managing a budget, running errands into town, paying ranch hands, ordering hay and different feed, being a ranch presence/security, watering trees/gardens, light landscaping, weed whacker, lawn mowers chainsaws, light tractor work, maintenance to golf carts, tractor and other ranch vehicles, scheduling vet and farrier visits and assisting, being responsible for the overall health of the horses, knowing how to administer medications, and managing a small staff. This caretaker position offers a competitive salary of $40,000 – $50,000 depending on experience, with other earning possibilities for the right family. A company truck is included, along with a nice three bed, two bath home, and all utilities paid. This is a peaceful lifestyle. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

LOOKING FOR A RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL OR COUPLE to serve as part-time caretakers in exchange for a studio cottage in Palo Alto, California. Duties would include 12 hours a week of yard maintenance, dog walking, waste bin set out, and airport pick-up and drop off. Must stay on the property during the summer and a week after Christmas. One-year commitment, non-smoking and a background check are required. If interested please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

SINGLE GENERAL CARETAKER needed in Valley Center, California on a small animal rescue ranch. This is a long-term position. Trailer live-in, and utilities paid in exchange for a ranch caretaker. You will need to have strong handyman skills and know irrigation. No drinking or smoking. Extra work past this exchange available at $100 a day. A separate large deck project can be negotiated. For more information, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers].

FREE ROOM AND BOARD AVAILABLE for a single caretaker, groundskeeper, maintenance person. Looking for a full-time, live-in person to care for a two acre property. The work hours are somewhat flexible. We are in a wonderful part of Fresno, east of town out in the country. It’s wonderfully peaceful. General property maintenance, pool, and pond maintenance, as well as yard maintenance are helpful as well. Work will be in exchange for a free room and board and use of this wonderful property, and grounds. Single occupancy only, and sorry, no pets. On-site interviews will begin soon. To apply, please email your resume first to [Contact info available to subscribers].

TREE WORK/FOREST THINNING needed on a private property in exchange for a beautiful and quiet place to stay in your RV this summer (or longer) in the foothills of Northern California. Must be experienced, motivated and hard-working. Optional: help with weed-eating and pond management (cattails and algae). We are very private and quiet people and are looking for the same. Must be a non-smoker. No drugs. Bring your own RV. Porta-Potty provided. Water but no electricity. Garden space and pasture available. Will share raw milk from a dairy cow, garden produce and eggs. This position is available now, near Placerville. For more details, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

[Contact info available to subscribers], a duck hunting club located in Northern California’s Suisun Marsh, seeks a year-round, on-site caretaker. Working couples or singles are welcome to apply (provided you meet the job duties required). Duties include preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner two days per week during duck season (typically three months, from late October through late January) and maintenance of the house and grounds, handling purchasing and shopping for meals during duck season, and for house supplies year-round, operation and monitoring of water control gates, operation and monitoring of fresh water conversion system for the house, maintenance and care of club grounds, including field work, some knowledge of the use of tractors and implements like mowers, v-ditchers, discs, etc. are a substantial bonus for the position, light maintenance of club equipment, tractor, 4-wheelers, etc., maintaining the overall security of the club property. Handyman-like skills are a very strong plus. Salary will be dependent on experience and capabilities. Free housing and utilities in a 2-bedroom house will be provided. Hunting privileges are not allowed. Please send your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

RANCH CARETAKER POSITION AVAILABLE in exchange for a cabin in Pleasant Valley, CA. Experience preferred for this ranch caretaker opportunity. Three horses and three dogs need to be cared for five days a week in exchange for the one bedroom/one bathroom cabin (occasional weekends too). Weed eating/wood cutting/fence repairing needed on the nine acre ranch (five acres are usable). $80 a month for electricity. Hoping to find someone who can move in next weekend and can start immediately. To apply, please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

Canada

CARETAKER COUPLE WANTED in British Columbia. One of Canada’s most pristine and privately owned historical ranches is seeking a responsible and result-driven caretaker couple. The position requires moving into the property (40 minutes from the nearest town), being hands-on: cutting the wood, cleaning the pool, keeping the grounds and lawn nice and taken care of, operating the bobcat, as well as some work related to construction, repair, and carpentry. Your own transportation, and Canadian work permit is a must. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers]

FARMSTAY HELP NEEDED at Aurora Gardens, in Harrop, Nelson, BC. Come and learn how to play with the plants. We are looking for apprentice/helpers from now until the end of November (weather dependent). We prefer helpers who can stay for at least eight weeks, though depending on our needs and the time of year we will consider a shorter stay. We are a small market garden, providing vegetables, berries, herbs and edible flowers to our local food Co-op, a retail farmers market, and restaurants and families in the Nelson area. My husband and I have been running the market garden for 13 years. Gardening experience is not essential; we prefer a desire and willingness to learn. There is room for your inspiration and creativity here. If you have an interest in guiding and teaching others you can take on various challenges in the leadership aspects of the garden operation. We are looking for apprentices/helpers with a serious and genuine interest in learning organic market gardening skills. You must be teachable, able to follow directions, ask questions as needed, and to participate cooperatively with others as well individually. If you are reliable, honest, responsible, physically fit, enjoy outdoor activities in most weather conditions then we would be happy to host you. We are an easy 20 minute car ride from the cafes, pubs and stores of Nelson and 10 minutes from Balfour. There is a very dependable bus service available just minutes from the garden to get you to Nelson and other destinations. There is a forest to explore above the property with many hiking and biking trails. Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park is a 10 minute bicycle ride. A semi-private beach is just five minutes down the road for swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. We have bikes for you to use, a badminton court and two hammocks under the walnut tree as well as a fire pit to cozy up to and enjoy with friends on those starry nights. We understand the need for balance between work and recreation, so we offer a different arrangement to traditional “helper/apprentices” situations. We are asking for only two hours of participation a day in exchange for accommodation and utilities. Sharing a fully furnished kitchen and living area. Laundry and wireless Internet provided. Sorry, we can’t provide meals. You will need to have enough monetary funds to supply your own personal food and needs. Sorry no kids or pets. No smoking in the house Please bring appropriate clothing and foot wear as well as a good head light or flashlight. For more info, please call [Contact info available to subscribers].

Colorado

WORK-HOUSING EXCHANGE AVAILABLE. A farm hand/barn manager is needed in Evergreen, Colorado. Looking for a candidate for a work/housing exchange in a tiny house on Bear Mountain. This role exchanges housing and all utilities in trade for three days a week plus alternating weekends of barn duties and pet/house sitting for vacations throughout the year. Candidates must be comfortable with mountain living and have a reliable vehicle as it can get quite snowy in the winter. This role would be perfect for someone who works remotely or an animal lover who wants to be up in the mountains. The candidate should be trustworthy and have some knowledge/familiarity with goats, donkeys, dogs, and cats. Must be able to lift 25, 30 lbs. Our dogs cannot be left in crates for more than five hours. You must be able to help with snow removal around the property. The trade includes a 2-year-old tiny house with a full bath, efficiency kitchen, great Wi-Fi, electricity, heat, trash, laundry, one parking spot, and a small deck. There is limited storage under the tiny house. No smoking in the tiny house or the main house. No long-term guests allowed. One well-behaved dog may be considered. No cats. In the barn, we have two miniature donkeys, Butchie (7) and Berto (5), and four goats Ingrid, Mary, Edith, and Sybil. In the house, we have two dogs, Copper a basset hound mix (13), and Dillon a bloodhound (5), and two cats Edgar (6ish) and Arthur (6ish). This is a beautiful quiet, mountain community with trails to hike. We are located close to Conifer and Evergreen. The owners are respectful of your privacy and expect the same in return. If interested, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

LIVE ON THE PROPERTY IN DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colorado. Clean, quiet, well maintained two bedroom, one bathroom home to trade for part-time caretaker/handyman projects and maintenance. Work averages 20 hours per week. Schedule is flexible but you must be able to feed and clean for two horses twice daily five days a week. You should be a homebody who loves quiet country life, not afraid to work in all kinds of weather. Duties include lawn and pasture mowing, brush mitigation, snow removal, barn and corral cleaning, plus other similar chores, maintenance work, occasional errands, and minor repairs. You must be able to operate a tractor and power tools and do all the light maintenance on the equipment. You must know how to work around horses, work safely, and be reliable and honest. This is an ideal job for a person who has a pension or works from home. This is not a job for someone who needs to commute to work in town. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers] for more information.

TELLURIDE PERSONAL ASSISTANT POSITION AVAILABLE. This position has a salary up to $75,000 with housing, health insurance, and two weeks paid vacation. The work includes: organization, running errands, gardening, house cleaning, light ranch work, occasional cooking, caring for pets and houseplants, etc. If interested, please email a short cover letter, resume and photo to [Contact info available to subscribers]

England

house sitter needed for our beautiful ancient longhouse in Devon with lots of land, a stream, and log fires. house sitters are needed for the month of November, as we like to travel. Need someone to look after the house and two small well-behaved dogs. Nothing arduous, just being around and feeding the two pooches. Lots to see nearby, just six miles from Exeter, and 20 minutes from the coast. We’ve had lots of USA, Australian and NZ house sitters in the past – always good. house sitters will need their own transport or we have bikes, the nearest town is 2½ miles away. Your accommodation is a huge beamed bedroom with en-suite. Plenty of logs for the fires in winter. We have all the modern conveniences. If you are interested, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

LIVE-IN COUPLE REQUIRED near Cambridge and Newmarket. We are looking for an enthusiastic and engaging couple to join a small team looking after a country house and park, as well as the family. A two bedroom lodge cottage onsite, with a small garden, is included. The principal roles are to include driving, grounds maintenance, housekeeping, plus some cooking and help with administration. You would also need to help with security around the property and help look after the family’s dogs. Tasks (divided between the couple depending on experience and capability) include general driving duties in the owner’s vehicles, supporting the existing gardeners/groundskeepers to maintain the garden, park and woodland on the property (about 120 acres), help with general housekeeping duties, including cleaning, laundry and some cooking, helping with administration and the day-to-day management of the house, including co-ordination of contractors, help with security around the property, and help feeding/exercising the family’s dogs. The successful candidates will need to be: engaging, with good interpersonal and communication skills, experienced team players who work well with others, including third-party contractors and the local community, confident and proactive self-starters who are alert and able to spot when something needs to be done, and polite and friendly. We anticipate this will be the equivalent of either two full-time roles or one full-time and one part-time role. The exact division of roles and hours between the couple will depend on capability and experience. Some roles/duties may be shared. Pension contributions will be paid into a NEST or other officially recognized pension fund, 21 days annual leave, plus statutory holidays. References will be required. 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]

Georgia

FARM CARETAKER NEEDED at an 88 acre family farm in northwest Georgia. A couple (or individual) is needed part-time, to live-in, and work five hours daily in the mornings. Must be experienced, and have references. Requirements: Equipment maintenance/upkeep, landscaping, small chicken house, gardens, fencing, road (gravel) maintenance/home repairs/some driving and auto maintenance. A nice two bedroom home (you pay utilities) plus $500 – $600 month salary depending on experience, provided in exchange for seven days a week work, five hours daily. Must be physically fit. Prefer a couple but will consider a single individual. No smokers or drinkers. A background, driving, and criminal check required. This is a long-term position. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Hawaii

ALOHA! Looking for a wonderfully organized, responsible, trustworthy, reliable, fit individual or couple to care for a family pup, two rabbits, and a rooster on a gorgeous six acre retreat in Volcano, on the Big Island. Maintain the main house and a 5-star immaculate Airbnb cottage with cleanings (paid). Caretake, manage, and weed the grounds. The property is off-grid/solar. The ideal stay is for four month+ and the ideal fit has deep cleaning, solar, electrical, and plumbing and carpentry experience for general upkeep and other on-site projects. Must have an eye for detail, excellent people/communication skills, a strong work ethic, a smart phone and car. The successful candidate is a confident, polite/friendly and proactive self-starter who is alert and able to spot when something requires attention or needs to be done. The retreat is smoke and substance free, peaceful and beautiful. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

LIVE ON THE SPECTACULAR HAMAKUA COAST of the Big Island of Hawaii. Couple needed, (either a man and woman or two women) to take care of our 93-year-old mother, as well as maintain the property (four buildings and the grounds). Driver’s license and car required. The couple would have their own private bedroom and bath in mom’s cottage. At 93, mom’s main issue is mobility. She is a fall risk and requires someone to assist with her walking. The couple needs to prepare her meals, help with bathing and dressing, social engagement, and occasional trips to town, shopping, and doctors. Property maintenance includes cleaning of hales, mowing lawns, tending to trees and plants. Come plant your own garden and vegetables. Live off the Aina. $1,000/week plus room and board. Only serious inquiries please. Please apply by emailing [Contact info available to subscribers]

LIVE-IN FARMWORKER AND KITCHEN HELP NEEDED in Kilauea, Kaua’i, Hawaii. This is a unique opportunity for a reliable, energetic self-starter to learn and grow with a small family farm on Kaua’i. Must love animals and have some background in kitchen work. Driver’s license required for deliveries. Help with garden, orchard, farmers’ markets, and milking goats. General animal care, barn maintenance, and similar ranch jobs. We are also beekeepers and would love to have someone experienced with bees! We offer comfortable, modest housing with Wi-Fi access. It is a small cottage with a full-kitchen and bathroom. Furnished with all you need, but suitable for one person only. All utilities are included. Limited use of an on-farm vehicle for shopping, etc. We encourage employees to acquire their own vehicles. We own two beautiful properties on the island of Kaua’i. We are only a few miles away from beautiful beaches. We are four miles from the nearest small town for shopping and ten miles from supermarkets and commercial shopping. Food processing and packaging three days each week. Hours will vary each week: between 35 – 40. The job will require a minimum of four 2-hour milking shifts weekly. Two days off weekly. Our hourly salary starts at $14.00. Farm produce available and a discount on value-added products such as cheese, kitchen specialties, etc. We employ three full-time workers and two to three interns at the orchard property. Definitely will give preference to candidates seeking a long-term position, and currently living in Hawaii. Proof of Covid 19 Vaccination required. Please visit [Contact info available to subscribers] and then send your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers] for more info.

ALOHA FROM THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII. Escape to the tropics. Our 2.25-acre estate in Kona is in need of an individual who can care for its landscape, gardens, and general maintenance. This commitment is for a minimum of 90 days, but a longer-term position could be possible, if all parties are content. This position is available now. If hired, one can expect round trip airfare from your nearest U.S. major airport to Kona, Hawaii. While on the property, we will provide you with private hi-end accommodations with cable and Wi-Fi, maid service once a week for bedding, gourmet breakfast and dinner, and a negotiated stipend. Lastly, we will occasionally give you free use of a vehicle to explore the island. This is a “work for hire” position and does not imply employment. You must carry health and auto insurance for yourself. We are seeking a self-motivated, organized, in shape and strong, and very tidy and clean individual, who will work 32+ hours a week to upkeep our estate’s land, agriculture, and gardens. We are willing to train in our procedures, but you must have experience. There are occasions where we have to do a little sanding and painting, and pressure washing. We live in a jungle, where it is absolutely necessary to spray herbicides and insecticides. We do our best to be as organic as possible. You must be proficient and competent in using a commercial mower, weed eater, blower, hedge trimmer, chain saw, pole chain saw, and silky pole saw. We use mostly Stihl equipment, and have an ECHO weed eater, and a commercial mower by Honda. You will have to tend to all fertilizing and weed maintenance. You must be competent in installing, maintaining, and repairing irrigation. We use Toro products. We have over 60 different fruit and spice trees, and edible berries and bushes, vegetable and herb gardens, and a ¾ acre botanical garden with rare palms, Heliconia, and Gingers. We are in the process of adding three lotus and lily ponds in mid-2022. It is fabulous, but it is hard work to maintain all of them. If you love plants and the outdoors, this is your dream job. Do not fool yourself, it is hard work, but well worth it. 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 send me your resume and a list of references. I will review them and give you a call to set up an interview time. I can do FaceTime, Skype, WhatsApp, or Zoom. Please have one of these options available for your interviews. No drug use or smoking of any kind, and we expect responsible alcohol use! We do not accept applicants with children or pets. All applicants will be subject to background checks. You may contact me, [Contact info available to subscribers] for questions. 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. Responses should be received within 48 hours. Aloha and mahalo!

Iceland

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED on Videy Island from September 6 to September 15, 2022. [Contact info available to subscribers] volunteers will have the opportunity to work on the historical island of Videy for the 16th year in a row with our host, the city of Reykjavík. Videy is a popular destination during the summer among Icelandic and foreign visitors. Videy or “Wood Island” is the largest island in the Kollafjorour Bay, just outside Reykjavík. The island is covered by many species of plants and at least 30 species of breeding birds have been counted here. Videy was inhabited soon after the settlement of Iceland in the 10th Century. Volunteers will help prepare the island for the autumn/winter season. Volunteers will beautify the surroundings by cleaning up the area, especially along the coastline, for instance by hand-picking garbage or collecting trash blown by the wind or brought by the sea to the shores and surroundings. [Contact info available to subscribers] volunteers may carry out some gardening activities as well and possibly make and maintain walking paths. Well maintained paths enable people to visit the area without damaging it and this important work also helps to improve safety for visitors. Depending on the advance of the project and weather conditions, volunteers may have other possible tasks such as checking up and repairing garden furniture. The working day normally runs from 09:00 – 17:00 with breaks for lunch and coffee; however, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the nature of Iceland’s changeable weather. The weather conditions in Iceland are unpredictable and the temperature will drop during the evenings. Be prepared to experience all kinds of weather and be sure to bring warm clothing, since most of the work will take place outdoors. Volunteers will be lodged in a local house on Videy Island, in shared rooms. Please bring your own sleeping bag. The house has an equipped kitchen. Volunteers will receive food ingredients and be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food from your home country for the international evening. For more info please visit [Contact info available to subscribers].

Idaho

NORTH IDAHO CARETAKER NEEDED. Need a single part-time caretaker to assist with property maintenance, improvements, forest stewardship, tree planting, woodwork, handyman, etc. on 130 beautiful forested acres with meadows and a creek near Spirit Lake, Idaho with three homes on the acreage. The caretaker would reside on our acreage in a completely private and secluded 26-foot 5th-wheel trailer in excellent condition, with an attached deck and yard by the creek, in a beautiful spot. Must pass a very thorough background check, be a non-smoker, no illegal drugs, and honesty is a must. Rent, utilities, high-speed Starlink internet, and a monthly stipend provided. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER NEEDED IMMEDIATELY in Northern Idaho. Trade housing for caretaking the property and keeping the animals safe and cared for. You will also need to keep any trespassers off the property. Free rent, power, water, Wi-Fi, use of the land line – all provided to the caretaker. Please call either [Contact info available to subscribers], and as I am a truck driver and on the road a lot, please leave a message if I don’t answer. Thanks.

Illinois

LANDSCAPING AND GARDENING HELP NEEDED on an enchanting property. Preferably a couple, family, or individual. Must be willing to relocate and live a peaceful life on our 150-year-old, 80 acre farm located one hour outside of Chicago. We are not commercial; it’s a relaxed environment with beautiful facilities. We have a natural spring pond, fishing, canoes, sand volleyball, tennis court, pavilion, wooded trails, farm animals, horse stables, and a loving, open-minded family awaiting the ones who want to become part of this caring team. An ideal background would be in: housekeeping, groundskeeping/landscaping (weeding, mowing, maintaining and clearing trails, etc.), mechanical/machinery skills (farm equipment knowledge; use and maintenance), handyman skills, livestock experience (feeding; small number of animals), construction (mending fences, home projects, etc.), and event planning like weddings. In exchange, you will be provided with a house (separate from the main residence), free utilities/rent, and use of a vehicle. Quality of life – living the dream. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Indiana

CARETAKER NEEDED at an Equestrian Center/Boarding Facility in Danville, Indiana. This can be full-time or part-time. I am looking for someone who is willing to give our horses the best care possible. We have around 30 horses at our facility at all times that need to be cared for 24/7. This includes graining, haying, and watering mornings and evenings; turning out and turning in weather permitting; and cleaning stalls every day. I need someone who is also willing to go above and beyond to make sure all of the horses are okay, like checking to make sure they are eating and that they don’t have any injuries. This is a very laboring job, so I need someone who is hardworking and able to correctly follow directions all year round. The salary will be $100 a day. We have housing available if needed, but this will reflect on pay. To apply, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

A 10 ACRE FARM IS SEEKING A CARETAKER in Crawfordsville, Indiana (located 49 miles northwest of Indianapolis). Seeking a caretaker to help with the maintenance of the property. Room and board, and all utilities included. The caretaker will receive a private bath and bedroom. Pets are okay. To apply, please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

LOOKING FOR A COUPLE (OR INDIVIDUAL) interested in working part-time as live-in Innkeeper(s) at [Contact info available to subscribers] in Madison, Indiana. This opportunity would be great for a retired couple looking for an adventure in a great small town, a couple/individual who has flexible work from home role(s), or individuals interested in running or owning a B&B who want to learn the trade and try it out. Our Bed & Breakfast is a small operation with four rentable rooms. Currently the season is March through mid-December, allowing for time off or winter travel, if desired, in addition to in-season time off. The position duties include guest check-in, some online reservations, cooking and serving breakfast, laundry, and housekeeping oversight (we hire someone to turn rooms). The compensation includes on-site residence (six rooms) with all utilities and internet plus commission. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Ireland

HELP NEEDED in Dunmanus Bay, Goleen, Ireland. We are a single-parent, single-child family. This work exchange is offering you the opportunity to spend time to visit this area. Hiking and biking are very good here. It is a very nice location and you will have a bicycle to use. Meanwhile your volunteer job is to be involved in our family situation. You would be spending time and giving care and attention to my daughter, Erin, going hiking, playing with her toys and games, having fun, taking the time and focus to interact and provide happy times for her. Additionally, we prepare food for ourselves and we have housework too; tidying up after ourselves, washing the dishes and sweeping the floors. It’s a typical household environment and therefore it’s about sharing the space and some time and interactions together. Our house is not far from small beaches, coves and hills for walking with clean and fresh Atlantic air. The peninsula is the most southwesterly tip of Ireland, it is called the Mizen Peninsula. We are on a road we call the Coast Road, it is the scenic route on this peninsula. The public transport system, will take you to the village of Goleen on the other side of the peninsula. Our house is about seven kilometers away from the village and it’s advisable to be travelling with bags which can be easily taken on that walk if necessary, as we don’t have our own car. Mostly, we walk or use a bicycle to get around the area which is good for keeping fit. It’s also very easy to hitchhike right now as in the summertime it is good for that. Years ago I was a Yoga and Qigong teacher, but right now I am recovering within a period of long illness and starting to rebuild my health. We eat clean, healthy, organic, vegetarian food. For more information, please call [Contact info available to subscribers]. Many thanks.

Property Caretaker Profile

Valley Girl turned Cowgirl-Roughneck by way of Culinary School Address: [Contact info available to subscribers] Interests: Cooking, writing, reading, gardening, traveling, animals, peace and quiet Quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of dust, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow what a ride!” – Hunter S. Thompson

Lainie Freeman

I doubt that anyone who knew me when I was growing up in Hollywood would have ever guessed that one day I would get a case of wanderlust, throw caution to the wind and take off for the wilds of Wyoming to work on a 6,000-acre cattle ranch as chef/cowgirl/personal assistant for a family from Manhattan. That adventure was a pivotal one and I headed down a path that was a 180 degree turn from the direction my life seemed to be heading in. That was 44 years ago. From there I moved to the Pacific Northwest to establish a restaurant in a castle overlooking the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Then to Northern New Mexico to help restore a 200-year-old adobe, acting as a construction assistant, household cook and cooking teacher. From there I went to Montana to manage a couple of restaurants, ultimately ending up on a remote 18,000 acre working cattle ranch where I was ranch cook and midwife for a herd of 800 pregnant cows. Throw in many years as a winery chef in the Napa Valley, and as a private cook in numerous households, and you have an overview of my working life. Caretaking is a wonderful way of living for those of us who do not aspire to the white picket fence idea of life but it’s also challenging: As a live-in employee you navigate things there is no training for: It’s like a marriage. You are taking on a lifestyle that is a whole education. I’ve learned a lot and want to share some of it here with you. One important thing, right off the top is that the initial communication between a property owner and a prospective caretaker or house manager or assistant or whatever position rings your bell, is paramount. Often accepting these jobs may mean a move to a different part of the country which is a large undertaking so clarity is critical. Both parties need to be able to define what, let’s say, “Caretaker” means. I have ended up in situations where I found that what I was sure I would be doing, and what my new employer was certain I should do, were defined very differently. This is critical. So, whether it’s on the phone or by Zoom interview, hammer this one out so you both feel comfortable that you understand one another. Clarity at the very beginning is extremely important. I came from the Culinary and Hospitality worlds, wherein I was the boss: One of my first lessons was that in these types of positions, the property owners are the boss. And in fact, with that came relief. After a career of scheduling, supervising and being responsible for all of it I recognized that I didn’t want to carry that kind of load anymore. Now, I can be responsible for a house and yard and be content being answerable to someone I respect (which for me is non-negotiable). Mutual respect, discretion, boundaries that work and are honored, and if you’re lucky, living in a beautiful place with peace all around. Give me that and a few happy animals running around as well as a place to grow vegetables and flowers, and I’m one happy cowgirl. Earlier I mentioned the learning experiences this particular lifestyle can include: One of those is how to market yourself. For a good number of folks who have only done traditional job searches, this is a new skill to develop. This is not at all a traditional way to find work but I was looking for more than work. As I said previously, this is choosing a lifestyle. Here is an example of an ad I placed in The Caretaker Gazette seven years ago:

SITUATIONS-WANTED AD: “Caretaker/Property Manager: Seeking a long-term position in the Western U.S. I have experience with a variety of live-in situations, with owners on-site and off. Culinary background with extensive experience in the Hospitality industry and very hands on. House manager, property manager, private cook, and gardener, I’ve managed everything from estates to cattle ranches and have administrative skills. Willing to do whatever is needed – versatile and able to anticipate what needs to get done. I’m mature, self-directed, with a strong work ethic and am available now. Thanks for your consideration. Please email Lainie at freemanlainie@gmail.com for more info and references. Thank you”

Napa County, where Lainie was a winery chef

The Skagit County ranch’s main house

This ad generated a few contacts from potential employers including one in particular in Washington State in Skagit County, on the coast north of Seattle. The call from this gentleman included an invitation to fly up and spend a couple of days together, getting to know one another and meeting his eldest daughter as well as his property caretaker. I spent three days just hanging out with him, meeting and cooking for some of his family members and getting a feel for the area, which was simply stunning. He needed a companion, cook, driver and all-round assistant. I was completely taken with the beauty of the property and at 91-years-old, how alert and present he was. Ultimately, he told me that after he was gone, I would have a permanent home there and my job would be to take care of the family members when they came up from Seattle. He offered me the job and I packed my things and moved in. Three weeks after I got there and was still settling in, he told me something we did not discuss before the start date. He had told me he was a recent widower but not that he felt he had not properly grieved for his partner of over 65 years. Smelling the food I was cooking, and hearing the dishes clinking, he would come to the kitchen door and then it would sort of smack him in the face: She was gone. He would expect to see her and instead, he would find me there. In the end, he decided to move back to the Seattle condo they owned, and where she had passed. Everyone there had known the both of them and he could share memories of her with their old friends. He was smart enough to know he needed this support to make it through this incredibly difficult time. I was now redundant. He was such a nice man and the loss of that position, with the security he implied that I would have had was gone. I was living in in a place where I knew no one and had no home of my own. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to this day, years after he passed away, I still dream of how great a situation that was. If you have decided that living a somewhat nomadic life would suit you, I think that The Caretaker Gazette is one of the best ways to find a situation that feels like a fit. And advertising yourself is the most effective first step to take. One of the things I had to determine about myself was whether or not I had the temperament to do this kind of work. Making the change from being the boss lady to being a much less visible presence in my work took some time to adapt to. But my need for the kind of recognition I sought when I was career building has diminished as I’ve gotten older. Think of yourself at 25. How much did a pat on the back from a boss or a professor mean to you? If you’re like me, that validation meant everything. As I rolled through my career as a Chef, I experienced a lot of praise and even applause. I liked it certainly, but as the years went by, I grew to the point where I got used to that praise and it didn’t mean a huge amount to me – I was very confident in my cooking skills. I had certainly practiced this skill for long enough since I started learning to cook at the age of eight. You know what you know how to do. If it’s something you have put time into, you just get better and better at it. So how does this connect to being a caretaker or a Property or a House Manager? This type of work is not high profile. You’re hired to do this because it’s a necessity for people who need you to take care of their most valuable asset – their home, their ranch, their castle or their land. Often you work in solitude, perhaps with your constant companion being livestock or family pets. The point of all this is simple – know what it is about this style of life that draws you to the place where you find yourself looking for a position such as the Gazette advertises. Another thing I found myself examining when I first began to look for this type of position was this: How did everything, and I mean EVERYTHING I had ever done during my job life support my job search? What did I have to offer? In my case, I started out in business when I was 19, being promoted to manager when I literally had no skill set. I believe it was because I had a really good telephone presence with the owner of the company that made up my first job. He and I spoke every day when he would call to find out what the day’s earnings were and the calls evolved into a relationship wherein, he invited me to move to the head office and to train with him and to learn to do bookkeeping. It was a great offer and gave me a definable skill that I used throughout my twenties to get jobs and was a necessary skill to have in the other fields I went into including being a chef. At this point, I have just accepted another position that came through The Caretaker Gazette. The lovely folks who’ve invited me to move onto their property in a rustic part of Southern California read my new Situations-Wanted ad about three months ago. I stayed in contact with them and after a situation they were trying out didn’t work out I happened to text them, and they wanted to talk with me. After a couple of weeks of back and forth they’ve invited me to come and move into a nice cottage and work for them as a personal assistant, cook, chicken wrangler and vegetable gardener. So, in a week or so I’m off to another post – all thanks to The Caretaker Gazette. Thanks, Gary

New Mexico, where Lainie restored a 200-year-old adobe

Iowa

FULL-TIME FARM CARETAKER WANTED on a 1,200 sow farm in Waterloo, with the potential for area management opportunities. Pay will be based on experience, up to $50,000 annually. Fully paid health care and vacation provided, and housing is available if needed. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers] for details.

Kansas

CARETAKER NEEDED AT LAKE EDUN. Responsible person needed to care for 65 acres about two miles southwest of Topeka. Duties include meeting guests, trail maintenance, watering, spraying Poison Ivy, etc. Full-time through September. Hours can be flexible. Weekends are required. For more information, please visit our website at [Contact info available to subscribers]. This is a unique job in a beautiful location for a responsible person able to work with minimum supervision. Any applicant must be able to accept this level of responsibility.

Maryland

AN ELDERLY COUPLE in good health seeks a hands-on single caretaker or couple to help them be as independent as possible in their lives. They live in a large 7,000 sq. ft. home on two acres in Annapolis, which they will share with their caretaker(s). They are looking for someone without any “baggage” who is/are honest, helpful, very organized, and nonsmoking. These caretakers will be replacing the caretakers hired a year ago. Responsibilities will include driving, companionship, cooking, laundry, and light housekeeping. This is a professional couple who are still very active and social; they go out to dinner a lot. If you have a pleasant personality and would love to improve the quality of life for two very special people, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience and includes benefits. To apply, please email your resume and references to caretakergazette@gmail.com and include “Annapolis Opportunity” in the Subject Line for forwarding purposes. Thanks.

Michigan

OPPORTUNITY FOR A RETIRED COUPLE to be caretakers for a family compound in northern Michigan. Taking care of property – mowing the lawn, spring and fall yard work, blowing snow in winter (all proper equipment on site) and minor maintenance of buildings including summer upkeep of cottages, main house and beach are the main duties. A two bedroom farmhouse style cottage in excellent condition provided as well as heat and electricity expenses in exchange for caretaking and monitoring of the property. Easy access to Mackinac Island and northern Michigan attractions, with a very private setting. Family is away most of the year. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Minnesota

INTERESTED IN LIVING IN DULUTH, MINNESOTA? We have a small resort, [Contact info available to subscribers], located on eight acres on Fish Lake in Duluth, MN. We need a caretaker couple to primarily run a kitchen and take on light maintenance, cleaning and other duties. We have a three-bedroom apartment, five two bedroom cabins, a full bar and restaurant, dock slips and seasonal RV spaces. For more information, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]. Thanks.

Missouri

MATURE CARETAKING COUPLE WANTED. Absolutely no children or pets. Must be organized, detail-oriented, and tidy. Non-smokers. You’ll have an all-appliances, partially furnished A-frame cabin, paid utilities, and receive a small stipend (depending on your qualifications). Additionally, income-producing opportunities abound, with acres of timber on our 130 acre property, including a sawmill, greenhouse and high tunnel. All that, in exchange for 20 hours a week assisting an elderly couple with organic gardening, landscaping, maintenance, driving and shopping. Specific duties will be outlined during the vetting process. Curriculum vitae and references required. Selected candidates will be sent a questionnaire to determine qualifications and would need to plan on a two to three day visit to determine compatibility. Please reply to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Montana

CLEAN-UP, MAINTENANCE, AND GROUNDSKEEPING WORK available on a smaller ranch in Central Montana. This is NOT an absentee owner or management position. You must be able to take direction well. Includes but is not limited to cleaning and maintaining yards, buildings, sheds, bunkhouses, and corrals; mowing, picking up trash, and keeping the yards tidy; and fixing and maintaining fences and buildings. Could also include maintenance and repair of older equipment and other general ranch chores. Drug-, alcohol-, and tobacco-free workplace. References required. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER POSITION AVAILABLE on a beautiful Western Montana Ranch, located near Missoula, Montana. This caretaker position offers good pay and housing. Some horse experience would be beneficial. Please respond to [Contact info available to subscribers]

WANTED: LIVE-IN GROUNDS MAINTENANCE COUPLE (Couples Only): This position is a two-person position for house and grounds on an estate on Flathead Lake, Rollins, Montana, surrounded by beautiful mountains. The job comes with a year-round two bedroom apartment, along with all utilities, and Wi-Fi. The job is full-time six months of the year – beginning in April and ending at the end of October. Skills needed: Landscaping, irrigation system knowledge, gardening and maintaining flower beds, handyman skills including minor electric, plumbing, and carpentry for house and grounds, housekeeping one time a week and after guests leave. And must be able to supervise subcontractors. Must be personable and self-starters. The other six months consist of being on the property, inspecting the inside of the house a couple of times a week, receiving packages, etc. The winter months are a perfect opportunity for other work or hobbies. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers] with a resume and references.

New Jersey

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A house sitter from September 1, October 1, 2022 for our home in Jersey City, NJ. This will just be an exchange of your house sitting service for the living space in our home, no pay involved. You should be comfortable with city living. Our home is in a quiet urban neighborhood and has a small garden which will need some watering if we get into a dry spell. We are close to shops, restaurants and other stores. The house sitter’s primary responsibility will be to look after our home and care for our two dogs while we are away. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers] if you are available and please provide checkable references.

New Mexico

A FULL-TIME RANCH AND LIVESTOCK CARETAKER position is available for a mature, responsible couple or individual. You will need to maintain and care for a small farm/ranch near Galisteo/Stanley, New Mexico. The ranch is located 40 miles Southeast of Santa Fe and 20 miles north of Moriarty, New Mexico. The ranch caretaker will be responsible for caring for a small number of various livestock including horses, donkeys, sheep, hogs, chickens, dogs, and cats located near the caretaker’s residence and guest housing. Prior experience with hauling animals is required. Minor handyman maintenance of equipment and the houses and living areas will also be required. A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record is required. The couple or individual will work collaboratively with the owner. Working knowledge of English is required. Benefits include a two bedroom apartment (utilities included), one week of paid vacation per year, standard sick leave, and a Christmas bonus. The salary depends on qualifications and experience. To apply, please call [Contact info available to subscribers].

FURNISHED ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT AND UTILITIES provided in exchange for part-time pet caregiving in southeastern New Mexico. For more information, please call ([Contact info available to subscribers]

New York

CARETAKER COUPLE WANTED for a beautiful Hudson Valley estate overlooking the Hudson River. A professional couple with a home in the Hudson Valley who travel frequently seeks a full-time live-in couple for pet care (two dogs and a cat and a few chickens) general lawn, yard and garden care (four acres), snow removal in the winter and general light maintenance and home care duties. Expected duties approximately 30 – 40 hours per week. This is a salaried position. A lovely two bedroom cottage with utilities on the property will be provided. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

LIVE AND WORK IN THE BEAUTIFUL ADIRONDACKS! Full-time, year-round Superintendent/Caretaker needed for the [Contact info available to subscribers] near Tupper Lake, NY. Competitive salary and outstanding benefits. Requires residency in a charming community-owned gatehouse. This is a private lakeside community with 30 family Camps. Requirements: prior experience managing properties, forestry/woodsmen, heavy equipment operation, general maintenance, water management, boat inspection, security and more. In-person interview, references and background check required. Please send your cover letter and resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

New Zealand

IN SEARCH OF CARETAKER(S) – with any or all of the following skills: Builder/handyman, mechanic, pilot, organic gardener/permaculture, healthy cook, healing arts, yoga teacher, admin, computer, assistant/secretarial skills, organizer, animal and nature lover. Please email your resume/letter describing any training and skills to [Contact info available to subscribers]

North Carolina

SMOKY MOUNTAINS ALMOST HEAVEN! We are Julia and Frank, a retired married couple. My husband and I just bought a 20-acre mountain farmette in Western North Carolina near Asheville. This area of North Carolina has a mild climate and is so beautiful with nature and all kinds of wonderful native edible plants growing all over. The farmette is all the way up top a mountain with a ¼ mile drive so it is VERY private! Our main objective is growing our own food. We want to keep everything very manageable and small scale, but we want extras for canning. In addition we are thinking about goats, chickens, and rabbits for food. There is very good trout fishing here. Also we run a camping Airbnb here that will need to be managed. We live in Florida part time and North Carolina part time depending on the weather. We will ask you to pet sit on occasion (two dogs, two cats and pet bunny). You may bring your pets as well. You should be able to start immediately. Ideal candidates should have: – Farming/gardening experience – Farm animal experience is great, but not necessary – Butchering experience is great, but not necessary – Building/construction experience is great, but not necessary – Healthy good attitude no drugs can lift 50 pounds (bale of hay) and chop wood – Available at least six months – prefer yearly residents – Prefer to live in a tiny home or cabin or RV – simple living – Resilient and mentally prepared in case of power outage – Ability to pass a background check – Able to sign a one month long trial period contract with us – Able to commit to six months work stay – Independent learner – Provides pleasant customer service Benefits: – 20-hour work weekly task list with no direct supervision – Free room and board (farm grown food) – Landline phone and Internet use at the main house – Use of work truck or we will pay for your use of your own vehicle – Stipend (negotiable and based on experience) plus two weeks expenses paid Florida vacation Please call [Contact info available to subscribers].

BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA. Housekeeper needed for a vacation house. General care of the house including cleaning of all surfaces including floors, making of beds, washing and ironing personal laundry and linens. When the family is in residence, grocery shopping, setting the table and cleaning up after meals, occasional light meal’s preparation, setting fires and bringing in wood and generally being available to the family (this is generally three or four times a year). Work in coordination with the house manager for scheduling outside contractors and any other larger issues. This position has very flexible hours most of the time. For more information, please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Norway

WANT TO HELP BUILD A COMMUNITY? Love the sea? After finishing the building of our boat and our first sea-trial trip, we are presently based on an organic apple farm 40 minutes south of Oslo, where we are focusing on beekeeping as we intend to build up on honey production and queen-breeding this summer. We are a community-based project born over 10 years ago. Involving people from all over the globe, we hope to eventually form a community present both on land and at sea, that will cooperate with eco-villages, sharing the bliss of sustainable living and traveling through organic farming and sailing – connecting places and people across the oceans. If you have any knowledge or interest in permaculture, self-sufficiency, alternative living, etc., don’t hesitate to contact us and share your ideas. Our hopes are for the farm to flourish into a place where food, thoughts, plans, adventures, and – of course – boats, can grow! Please send an email to [Contact info available to subscribers] explaining why you would be interested in our community and please place this in the Subject Line: Sea Gypsy Application so we know you have been reading this. Love from Sailing the Farm, a sea gypsy tribe of tomorrow!

Oregon

[Contact info available to subscribers] is an educational non-profit operating on a quiet 80 acre site in southern Oregon. The 90 day renewable caretaker contract provides an RV site with full hookups and Wi-Fi in exchange for 10 hours per week minimum volunteer commitment. The primary duties include facilities maintenance, visitor management, and groundskeeping. Capacity for minor physical labor and some mechanical ability are assets, as well as good human relations skills. A background check and references are required. Information on the [Contact info available to subscribers] For additional information and to apply, please go to [Contact info available to subscribers]

RANCH HAND/CARETAKER NEEDED. A cow/calf ranch in the John Day, Oregon area is looking for an experienced ranch hand/caretaker. Need previous experience working on a ranch and handling fence repairs. A house with a garden will be made available. The salary will be based on experience. To apply, please email your resume and references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Pennsylvania

CARETAKER COUPLE REQUIRED for a Berwyn, PA live-in position. A single man and his 13-year-old daughter require a hands-on couple to manage the 5,500 sq. ft. main residence. There are also two other homes to manage. Duties to include: cooking, you must be a good cook (small dinner parties and business lunches), daily cleaning, and laundry. Must know how to organize his homes, closets, and storage areas. Close and open the other two vacation homes. Must be able to fly/travel to other homes. Benefits to include car health/dental/bonuses, and accommodations. Salary is $90,000 for the couple. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience, be in good health and have the energy and love for this kind of hands-on position. Please email both of your resumes to caretakergazette@gmail.com and include “Pennsylvania Property” in the Subject Line for forwarding purposes.

YEAR-ROUND, LIVE-IN CARETAKER NEEDED at our hunting and fishing club in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. Ever dream of living in the woods? Have a passion for nature and the outdoors? This is your opportunity! Located in beautiful Lycoming County, our rod, gun and social club is searching for a caretaker couple or individual to operate our clubs hospitality business, care for the cabin and take care of the club grounds. Established in 1918, our club has over 100 years of history and tradition. Located on over 5,500 acres of forest ground with an approximate five acre, stream fed pond, this private club of 40 members features a two story cabin complete with full commercial kitchen and caretaker living quarters attached. Successful applicants will be responsible for the caring for and cleaning of the cabin, preparing meals for members and guests, housekeeping, grounds keeping and general maintenance as needed, and other projects on the property. Benefits include a salary of $35,000 – $100,000, plus other income and gratuities, living accommodations, utilities, paid vacation, health insurance available, and other compensation perks. To apply please forward your resumes/bios to [Contact info available to subscribers]

A TWO PERSON CARETAKER TEAM is needed for a 200+ acre farm in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Duties include landscaping and property maintenance, lawn and farming equipment maintenance, housekeeping, minor farming, hay production, animal care (horses, cattle, and goats), lawn maintenance, and pool maintenance. Benefits include health and dental insurance, a 2-bedroom apartment, an automobile, and vacation. Must have experience. Salary of $40,000+ per year for each caretaker. Full work days are Monday – Friday. Animals need to be fed on weekend mornings. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

GROUNDSKEEPER/PROPERTY MANAGER needed in a Philadelphia suburb. A retired couple seeks a healthy strong single person or couple to maintain the interior and exterior property needs on a two acre, private 6,200 sq. ft. residence with numerous shrub and perennial borders/beds, plus a small second property. Grounds duties include maintenance of shrub and perennial borders/bed landscape, hands-on, irrigation management and related gardening tasks. House management requires maintenance and handy skills. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, takes a hands-on approach, no job too big or too small, comfortable lifting/hauling 50 lb. material, knowledge of perennial gardening, and experienced with hand and power tools. A pick-up truck is required. This position includes housing in a three bedroom 1,800 sq. ft. house plus utilities, located a 15 minute drive from the main residence, plus a salary determined by prior experience. Looking for an initial commitment of four months (June through September) with expectation of a long-term tenure for the right candidate. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Scotland

LIVE-IN COUPLE required for a rural estate in North Scotland, Moray. A friendly family including an elderly couple is looking for a professional, discreet and reliable couple, or individual to assist with household, handyman and garden duties. Working alongside other staff, the candidates will take care of general kitchen duties including some cooking, household work, and laundry, as well as some garden duties, basic general repairs, driving and errands. Need to have basic computer skills, a flexible and caring attitude and a pleasant disposition. Clean driving license and excellent references essential. The start date will be ASAP. A generous salary and separate accommodation will be provided. Please mail your CV and references to [Contact info available to subscribers].

South Carolina

[Contact info available to subscribers] in Wagener, SC is a non-profit organization focusing on small exotic felines, hybrids and domestic cats. We are looking for people to fill our live-in positions in return for your accommodations which is a room in our large farmhouse with perks. Positions available: 1. Housekeeper/cook 2. Caretaker 3. Cat Assistant. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

South Carolina/georgia

A HISTORIC PLANTATION located midway between Charleston/Savannah seeks a couple with any combination of following skills: house painting, finish carpentry or gardening. $75,000 salary provided, plus a one bedroom residence on the plantation. Please reply by telephone: [Contact info available to subscribers].

South Dakota

A BEAUTIFUL HOME IN BELLE FOURCHE, SOUTH DAKOTA needs a caretaker to feed three horses daily. We are looking to fill this caretaker position immediately. If you love horses, you will love these horses. We’re looking for a non-smoker, no illegal drugs, and preferably an upstanding individual with high moral values. The caretaker will be required to pay utilities. To apply, please call [Contact info available to subscribers] Thank you.

FULL-TIME, YEAR-ROUND PROPERTY/FACILITIES manager needed at a 5-Star Luxury Hunting Lodge in South Dakota. A strong farming background (2,000 acres of food plots), as well as good mechanical and overall maintenance skills are also required. Located in the heart of South Dakota hunting country we have hosted guests from Argentina to Alaska. Chuck and Sheila built this wonderful lodge in 2000 and set the standard for excellence for a truly quality facility for more than 20 years. Starting pay will be $40,000 ~ compensation will be based on experience and performance. A newly remodeled three bedroom home is included, with utilities. You can learn more at [Contact info available to subscribers] Resumes to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Spain

IBIZA, SPAIN: Property Manager/Caretaking Couple Wanted, Dual-Language Skills Essential: Spanish/English. Seeking a highly experienced, personable and outgoing couple with a solid and long-established working relationship to live-in and manage a beautiful, picturesque 16-hectare finca (farm) in Ibiza, Spain. The property, located in the pastoral north end of this Mediterranean island, has been inhabited for more than 2000 years. The new owners aim to restore the historic residential and farm buildings and to establish a viable regenerative farm practice for a small-scale commercial pomegranate orchard, a vineyard, a self-sustaining home garden, and a small number of domestic farm animals. Applicants must be well-versed in responsibilities and possess the skills to operate such a rural property, sensitive to growing and harvesting demands, responsible land conservation practices, tree care, and some construction supervision for the first two years. You will live in a comfortable apartment off-site, in the seaside resort town of San Antonio, until your on-site apartment is ready. Once the on-site residences are habitable, responsibility will shift to include cleaning and cooking, too. Your on-site residence will be custom built to the highest modern standards, located in the most picturesque and historic section of a 400 year old stone barn. Both members of the couple must have valid driver’s licenses, and one personal vehicle. A second farm car comes with the job. We hope that the exceptional and intelligent couple who take this job will become an integral and essential part of building this exquisite and unique project and expect to become a vital and creative part of our extended family and the Ibiza community, with an intention to settle here for many years. All living expenses are fully covered, housing, most meals, and utilities. In addition, there will be a fair salary which we need to discuss together. The start time is immediate. Please send your CV, proof of residency in the EU or a visa which allows you to live legally in Spain, and a letter, written in English or Spanish, explaining why you are uniquely qualified and deeply interested in this extraordinary opportunity to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Texas

IN SEARCH OF CARETAKER(S) in East Texas – with any or all of the following skills: Builder/handyman, mechanic, pilot, organic gardener/permaculture, healthy cook, healing arts, yoga teacher, admin, computer, assistant/secretarial skills, organizer, animal and nature lover. Please email your resume/letter describing any training and skills to [Contact info available to subscribers]

A PART-TIME GROUNDSKEEPER AND BARN MANAGER is needed at our cutting horse and cattle dog operation in Bowie, Texas. Duties include and not limited to: barn chores, sweeping, weeding, mowing, weeding and watering the garden and flowers, and animal and pet care. A two bedroom/two bathroom home with utilities provided. Salary depends on responsibilities and experience. Possible horse accommodations. A background check and references are required. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

AG MANAGER NEEDED in Central Texas for a diverse and eco-conscious operation. You will need to take care of livestock, pecans, hay and pastures. Manage livestock breeding and marketing. Our vineyard is coming soon. The salary will be $40,000+ (depending on skills and experience) plus housing and benefits. Please email your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

FULL-TIME HAY RANCH CARETAKER NEEDED in Valley Mills, TX. Must be able to operate and maintain hay production equipment. Additional duties include limb cutting, shredding, road maintenance, and water well maintenance. House, utilities, water, and truck provided to the caretaker. Compensation is negotiable, based on experience. The caretaker must have a valid driver’s license (no DWIs, and no criminal record). A background check will be done. Please call/text [Contact info available to subscribers].

RESPONSIBLE, MATURE PERSON NEEDED to live in our Flower Mound, Texas home and care for our 12-year-old, 57 pound Belgian Shepherd while we are overseas. Quiet, secluded, wooded and safe neighborhood near Lake Grapevine and hiking/biking trails. Small koi pond needs feeding twice a day, and weekly filter cleaning. Starting now, for between three and six months. References requested, and our reference from prior caretaker available. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

SEEKING A CARETAKER for our manufactured housing community in Kingsland, TX – one hour west of Austin. Kingsland is a nice small town on Lake LBJ, with lots of great boating, fishing, and hiking in the area. There are only about 3,000 residents so there is no traffic and easy living. We have owned and managed Twin Rivers Community for a decade. There are 30 homes in the community, seven homes are owner occupied and the rest are rentals. We have very little turnover and many long-term renters. As we turn over our rental homes, we are looking to sell them when possible to shift to a more home owner community. It is very nice, clean and quiet and centrally located in Kingsland. We are just down the street from banks, a pharmacy, HEB, a coffee shop, the post office and restaurants. We have worked hard to create an affordable housing solution for Kingsland that offers folks a nice and safe place to call home. We would like to spend more time traveling and are seeking caretaker(s) to live in the community and provide handy-person services, lawn/landscaping services and oversee contractors (plumbers, air-conditioner repairmen, etc. if the job needs this). I will continue to collect rents and manage any tenant/resident issues. It is not a full-time position – some weeks may require more hours than others. We are offering a discounted rent on a one bedroom/one bath home. Or if a larger house is desired, we have a 3/2 we can consider. We will also pay a competitive hourly rate for work done. We are looking for a nice individual or couple who share our values and work ethic and would enjoy caretaking this community. We will allow one small dog or cat. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers] or emailing [Contact info available to subscribers]

[Contact info available to subscribers], located in Waxahachie, Texas, has a ranch caretaker position available with housing provided. We are a 200 acre ranch located 30 minutes south of Dallas. We raise reined cow horses and rope horses and currently stand one stallion off-site. The caretaker position duties include maintaining all grounds, residential and horse facilities. Will need the ability to run and maintain farm equipment, general landscaping knowledge and attention to detail is a must. Pay will depend on experience. References and background check required. To apply, please send your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER/BARN-HELP WANTED. Immediate opening for a caretaker/couple at [Contact info available to subscribers] facilities to care for our horses and perform basic farm work in exchange for a large, furnished two bedroom apartment and a monthly stipend based on experience. Utilities included. This is a perfect position for someone with supplemental income (pension, etc.) who loves country living. [Contact info available to subscribers] facilities are located on Lake Buchanan in Burnet, Texas. [Contact info available to subscribers] serves those with a variety of physical, emotional, and mental challenges through our therapeutic riding programs. The successful candidate must have extensive experience caring for horses, positive/self-starter, non-smoker, dependable and team player. No children. Must have own transportation. Experience in basic ranch repairs is a plus. Background/references checked. This is a great opportunity for someone who loves a calm, positive environment. For more information on [Contact info available to subscribers] please visit [Contact info available to subscribers] For more information or to apply, please send your bio/resume to [Contact info available to subscribers].

U.s. Virgin Islands

IF YOU HAVE PROVEN SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE working with horses and a passion for hosting retreats, eco-tours, and educational programs at a healing, meditative equine farm along the Caribbean Sea in the US Virgin Islands, bringing daily joy to the lives of horses, tourists, and the local community, this could be your dream job. This 30-year established 100 acre farm with 25 horses is seeking gentle, collaborative, skilled horse trainers, farm hands, and passionate tour guides with deep integrity to share educational experiences through horseback riding tours in the sea, internship and mentoring programs, summer camps for all ages and abilities. To apply, please email [Contact info available to subscribers] with the subject line “Caretaker.org horse stables opportunity” including the following info: an explanation of why you want to do this, and confirmation that you can provide three references who can verify your ability to undertake the big responsibility of basic horse handling and/or livestock farm skills (email a resume if you have one). Must have proven excellent references to verify your high caliber camaraderie, teamwork, and positive attitude, keen ability to identify and communicate issues effectively. Desired skills include proper grooming of horses, basic riding and training techniques, recognizing behavioral signals and health issues, administering basic health treatments, knowledge of horse anatomy, conformation, equine nutrition, basic farm skills, fence mending, water/well/pump engineering, and/or construction skills, or a willingness to learn. Willing to train the right person who has exemplary social skills. Must be able to hike big hills leading horses, and work in the sea for extended periods of time several days per week and enjoy leading tours on foot and horseback educating tourists to maintain a 5 star Trip Advisor rating. Being part of a creative team, community, and summer camp working with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds must be your passion! This role requires a deep love for rugged nature, working in heat, humidity, sandy beaches, rocky shorelines, swimming in the sea, getting wet and running with horses throughout the day, in areas prone to intense sun, rain, mud, mosquitoes, bugs, and extreme weather events that come through the Caribbean Islands. Our horses are gentle, and as a trainer, you must agree to and whole-heartedly believe in implementing the Monty Roberts Join-Up horse training style of training. First Aid/CPR certification, or willingness to obtain. Must have a valid driver’s license and transportation (we can help connect you to options). This is not a job for complainers. Seeking happy, positive, kind, collaborative contributors to community, sustainable living visionaries, and those who respect and aspire to practice mindfulness, well-being and gentleness. Need ability to problem solve, willingness to learn, ask questions, seek guidance/consensus from leaders and the team as ONE and understand the interpretive skills of guiding, mentoring, teamwork and have a sense of humor and love sharing food, friendship and fun! Lodging provided (private bed/bath, shared kitchen, community area with Wi-Fi) and some meals in exchange for four days/week work six hours/day; anything over is paid $100/day depending on number of tours, construction/projects, and your experience. This is a beautiful island with lots of culture, hiking, diving, snorkeling, and many other free-time options. Thank you for reading!

Virginia

BEDFORD, VIRGINIA CARETAKER(S) NEEDED. We are just north of Smith Mountain Lake. Applicants should be in good health, handy and resourceful with a common sense understanding of the hazards of nature. Responsible, trustworthy, reliable, competent, with a strong body. Must be self-reliant. No tobacco or alcohol users need apply please. Experience rural life on seven acres. Live rent-free in exchange for maintenance work such as weeding, raking, gardening, light maintenance of fences and buildings, weed-eating work and light chain saw work. The caretaker will need some of their own tools to do landscaping and gardening, as I have some tools but not enough for all kinds of work etc. The caretaker will work with ducks, goats, and chickens. Might be other animals, not limited to mentioned animals. Will exchange a furnished, partly furnished, or unfurnished small but comfortable one bedroom cabin for work. Will provide a small tank of propane each month along with paying a percentage of electric. No other wages or moneys provided. If you’re interested, please send an email message to caretakergazette@gmail.com with “Bedford, VA Property” in the Subject Line for forwarding purposes. Thanks.

SANCTUARY CARETAKER POSITION AVAILABLE. Starting in January 2023, a cat sanctuary in the greater Northern Virginia Area (Culpeper) may be seeking a person or couple experienced in the care and handling of cats including feral cats. Animal Allies has feral cats that must be observed and assessed and retrieved if in need of veterinary care. The person/couple must have a genuine commitment to the animals for their sake as demonstrated by previous work/volunteer history. The person must have computer/IT skills to communicate effectively and to be responsive to the Board and others with whom responsiveness is required. Animal Allies designees must be informed of the status of the sanctuary and sanctuary animals on a weekly basis. The person must have organizational skills in order to develop and coordinate volunteer efforts for the care of the animals or repair/improvement/enhancement of the facilities. The person/couple must not have engaged in hunting or any lethal program for wildlife management and have an appreciation for wildlife (the property serves as a wildlife sanctuary). The person/couple will be expected to maintain the facilities in a clean and sanitary condition (housing and runs) for 20 – 40 cats. This can be done by resident caretakers or through recruitment of volunteers. Cats must be observed as much as possible each day, fed, have their litter changed and provided with enrichment to the extent possible. The person/couple will need to cooperate in wildlife programs that may be available. Compensation will be a free residence worth $1,600 per month according to a recent appraisal. This would be the equivalent compensation of about $400 a week for work performed. It is estimated that 25 hours a week would be expected/required to accomplish the maintenance chores. If caretaker(s) engages in any projects, develops any programs, conducts any fund raising or educational activity in conjunction with the sanctuary, that enhances the welfare of animals and the work of Animal Allies, bonuses will be provided accordingly. For further information or to express your interest in this position please call [Contact info available to subscribers].

Washington

A FULL-TIME CARETAKER POSITION ON A PRIVATE ISLAND in Washington State is available! This employment opportunity comes with a home, car, and all communication devices. The duties of the caretaker include maintenance and operation of the water treatment plant, pump house, fire house, post office, runway, roads, vehicles, and equipment. In addition to a salary you will also receive additional funds to help defray costs of health insurance, travel, and other expenses. Please email responses to [Contact info available to subscribers]

CARETAKER WANTED. Live-in, full-time and rent free at a private Central Washington ranch (seven miles from Ellensburg) on hundreds of acres with river frontage and abundant natural scenery and wildlife. The opportunity start date is flexible and begins this Fall. Must be honest, capable, handy, healthy and generally available during normal business hours. The gig comes with a two-bedroom apartment, utilities and internet included, ample storage, and workshop type areas can also be provided upon mutual agreement. Additional compensation may be offered for specialized skills and contributions that go well above and beyond typical property caretaker duties. Not looking for social types, but rather folks who enjoy plenty of elbow room, peace and quiet. The ranch enjoys a true four seasons and weather conditions at times demand that the caretaker be in very good health and mobility. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: routine walkthrough inspections of the various structures on the property and patrolling the surrounding acreage, light to moderate maintenance (such as mowing, snow-plowing and minor repairs), coordinating and managing necessary outside help, and generally being a constant and reliable presence at the ranch, particularly during business hours and while ownership is away. No children or pets please, no smokers or heavy drinkers. Must have your own reliable automobile in good working order. Someone with a full-time job would likely not be a fit due to the lack of needed availability. No hunting or fishing allowed on-property. To apply, please email your resume and references to [Contact info available to subscribers]

LOOKING FOR A CARETAKER COUPLE for my home/estate in North Bend, Washington, located on 60 acres on the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River about 35 miles east of Seattle. Housing is included with a very nice 1,200 sq. ft. apartment over the garage. Caretaking includes exterior maintenance of the yard and buildings along with firewood cutting and splitting. Five acres of mowing during the growing season and lots of landscape maintenance. Please contact me at [Contact info available to subscribers] if you’re interested in knowing more.

ON-PREMISE INNKEEPER-COOK COUPLE NEEDED for a luxurious boutique resort in Manson, Washington. Onsite housing is provided in a three-bedroom home (nonsmokers and no pets). The position is year-round full-time with the primary season May, September. The resort includes accommodations for up to 50 guests, an onsite cafe, sports activities, and event spaces. Experience successfully managing a B&B, Inn, or Boutique resort, including reservation system. Ideally, each has innkeeping experience and one must have culinary experience and can provide fresh, high-quality cuisine from locally sourced ingredients. There is an onsite garden to manage. The base salary for the couple is $70,000 – $80,000 plus housing, comprehensive benefits, bonuses, and off-season time off. To apply, please submit your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers]

Wisconsin

WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN ON-SITE CARETAKER/MANAGER for a 24-unit apartment complex for families near 124th and Burleigh in Wauwatosa, in Milwaukee County. Must be adept at landscaping, cleaning, minor repairs and have strong communication skills. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license. Previous experience is required. This is an ideal setting for a couple, and one can have an outside job. The hiring process will include a background check. Salary up to $1,250 per month plus a two-bedroom apartment and utilities included. If interested, please fax your resume to [Contact info available to subscribers].

Situations-wanted Ads

I am a mature female, a UK resident currently in Canada. I am looking for caretaking opportunities in Canada and the Americas. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Experienced property caretaker, household manager, and caregiver looking to thoughtfully arrange her next position. Presently located in Hunterdon County, N.J. Bucks County PA region. For an easy transition, considering all surrounding counties in the area. Over 25 years of experience working for private individuals and families throughout the U.S. with excellent references. Experienced horsewoman in addition to caring for livestock and all family pets. Enjoy quiet locations and familiar with the responsibilities and labor that are required to maintain the property and home. Discreet, conscientious, hardworking, self-starter, who easily adapts to employers preferences. Please inquire at [Contact info available to subscribers]

House Sitter Available: 35 years animal care, excited to provide peace of mind while you’re away! In home house/pet sitting modeled after pets’ familiar routines and favorite activities. Work From Home and present throughout the day. Home care and personal assistant business 5+ years. Excellent references. Fully vaxxed. Please text [Contact info available to subscribers].

We live on the Big Island of Hawaii and have 30 years of organic coffee and macadamia nut farming, gardening, and carpenter helper experience. Light work such as mowing, pruning, and branch pole sawing is available, as well as non-toxic spray and carpenter assistance. In addition, some domestic help and shopping. From Kamuela to Kona, we are available for a long-term commitment. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Permaculture Caretaker Seeks Home Base. Do you want to grow an abundance of food on your land? Need help? Certified Permaculture Designer and experienced Urban Farmer looking for live and work arrangement, both as an on-site project and base of operations. Currently living in Missouri USA. Open to relocation, especially to sites on or near water. Seek exchange of paid living accommodations plus hourly rate, plus equity in land and/or business in exchange for consulting and design services. Additional professional background as a Business Analyst, Operations Manager, and Office Manager. Patiently searching for the right fit. Please contact at [Contact info available to subscribers]

I don’t know if this even exists, but I’m going to put it out there anyway. I’ve got this dream to live in a remote setting in a green valley with foothills, surrounded by mountains and wildlife and a big view of it all. In exchange for this experience I will care for your property as if it were my own only better because it’s yours. Two mature 60+ ladies traveling in RVs with one small dog and two Labradors. Looking forward to talking with you and seeing what is available out there. Please call or text [Contact info available to subscribers]

Experienced estate, farm and ranch caretaker seeking long-term, full-time, live-on situation. I am proficient in all of the trades, can operate and maintain equipment, pools and spas, and have managed multiple properties. I have also buttled, chauffeured, done basic housekeeping, provided security, and supervised staff, vendors and contractors. I am equally comfortable working inside and outside the home. I can care for and ride horses, and I love dogs, cats and most farm animals. Former marina General Manager, lifelong sailor and boater, musician and aviation enthusiast. I am open to new opportunities anywhere, and am flexible geographically. No pets or dependents. I don’t drink, use tobacco or drugs, am fully vaccinated with boosters, and I’m physically fit and healthy. For my resume and bio, please contact [Contact info available to subscribers]

MAINE. Capable and experienced, hands-on, mature caretaker couple available. We are seeking an equitable, long-term, live-in assignment in the mid-coast, down east regions of Maine. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

74-year-old single female enjoying good physical and mental health relocating to Wyoming. Available for caretaking or work exchange near Thermopolis or Greybull. Offering a loving presence on your property and care of your home and animals while you are away. I’m a professional healer, housekeeper, caregiver of animals and elderly humans and an experienced gardener seeking a quiet, comfortable, small cottage for myself and cat companion in exchange for my skills and services. Please contact Maureen at [Contact info available to subscribers]

35-year-old female with extensive experience in homesteading, animal husbandry (including horses), gardening, landscaping, housekeeping, childcare, cooking, customer service, writing, and web-design. Self-starter, friendly, adaptable, organized, and dependable. Also, a harpist, yoga teacher, and astrologer for supplementary/flexible income that is mostly from home. I come with a 9.5-year-old that unschools and an indoor cat. Prefer independent housing. I am available immediately in the Pacific Northwest or anywhere in the US or globally with moderate winters beginning October for longor short-term opportunities. I also have a dog and four dwarf goats I would like to bring to the right long-term position. Please contact Melissa at [Contact info available to subscribers]

After 30 years of professional private home service it is time to segue to a property/estate caretaker. My skill set includes working as a house manager, personal assistant, cook, nanny, pet/house sitter, housekeeper, and all around Jill of all trades. I am still open to doing most of these tasks, except nannying. Or I can oversee your property or help manage a small inn. I am an excellent cook! Mature, energetic woman, unencumbered, seeking to move back home to the Western U.S. I will pass a background check, I am honest, full of integrity and extremely reliable. Please contact [Contact info available to subscribers] Thank you.

Active, healthy mature man seeks a property caretaking position in Montana. Arborist and tree service owner over 40 years, practicing modern arborculture. Diverse significant experiences in forestry, horticulture, gardening, ecology, agriculture and landscaping. A student of nature. Previous caretaking experience, including almost five years on a remote cattle ranch. Experience operating equipment, cutting and raking hay, small sawmill, crane, large truck and chipper, etc. Prefer only rural settings. Have lived remotely and simply for many years. Much experience painting, oiling/staining, carpentry, constructing rock walkways, walls, patios, and raised bed walls. Strong organic focus. Also a student of nutrition, human, animal, and plant. Strong sense of responsibility, very honest with integrity and require it in all significant relationships Excellent references available. Please call [Contact info available to subscribers]

I’m a general contractor in search of housing and/or employment. I’m willing to relocate for the right opportunity, where it’s a win-win situation for both of us. I have more than 30 years of experience as a home improvement contractor. I have never advertised,all word of mouth. I’m still operating my company as well as being a property manager and caretaker. So, I’ll be in my current location in Fairfield County, Connecticut, until the end of September. I have been instrumental in all aspects of renovating a 10,000+ sq. ft. home that was bought in foreclosure for $870,000 and sold for $2 million in cash. I live in a cottage behind the main house and I store all my tools in one bay of the garage. Let’s have a conversation to discuss my background as well as your needs. With my experience, I’ve become a jack of all trades including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, tiling and historical restoration. I’m computer literate, mainly using Microsoft Office Suite, setting up networks and Wi-Fi. I also like to cook, read, golf, fish, travel, and confident LOL. References are available upon request. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [Contact info available to subscribers]

Available for house/pet sitting. Geographically open. Prefer the Southeast. Professional, outgoing mature female. Extensive property management experience, residential and commercial. Have Airbnb Superhost experience. Speaker and writer. Please contact May at [Contact info available to subscribers].

Experienced, mature caretakers (9 years off-grid, 5 years managing a retreat rental) seek a position with private housing. Extensive gardening, greenhouse, landscaping, tree work, admin, guest services, catering, house cleaning, handyman, ranch, and animal skills (vet-tech) etc. Prefer a rural setting – quiet, peaceful, nature-lovers. Dependable, no drama, healthy and self-motivating. Excellent references available. Housing as compensation, income negotiable. Central coast California from Paso – Ojai. Will consider other California, Oregon locations. Please email [Contact info available to subscribers]

Holistic Animal Practitioner (semi-retired) near San Francisco, California seeking short or long-term positions in the U.S. and abroad. Excellent references for pet care and estate management provided upon request. My own precious pup of 14 years has crossed over. Now, I am honored to love and care for your sweet fur family in your absence. Thank you in advance for entrusting me with your best friend(s). You can verify my profession at my website [Contact info available to subscribers]

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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. Take care, Gary C. Dunn, Publisher THE CARETAKER GAZETTE

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