Hiring: Household Assistant (Part-Time)
Location: Encinitas, CA, USA
Type: Part-Time | 3 Days Per Week | Approximately 18–24 Hours Weekly
Accommodation: Live-out
Min. Experience: Relevant private housekeeping experience preferred; personal fit, attitude, and capabilities are prioritized over a specific number of years.
Salary: $45–$50/h DoE.
Start Date: ASAP
Requirements: Must live locally or within a reasonable commuting distance of Encinitas.
ABOUT US
Handgraaf Estates is a privately held luxury staffing and property management firm based in La Jolla, CA. We provide exceptional private household staffing and estate management tailored to each client's needs.
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SUMMARY
Handgraaf Estates seeks a warm, dedicated, and detail-oriented Household Assistant for a private couple residing in Encinitas, California. This part-time position offers an opportunity for a thoughtful, proactive professional to become a trusted and valued part of a welcoming household.
The primary focus of this role is housekeeping, including meticulous cleaning, laundry, household organization, and the proper care of fine wood, glass, and other delicate or high-end materials. Additional responsibilities include grocery shopping, food preparation, occasional cooking, and light administrative assistance.
The principals share a genuine passion for food, cooking, and the enjoyment of a well-maintained home. An appreciation for quality ingredients, healthy eating, and thoughtfully prepared meals is therefore particularly important. Candidates with an interest in elevated cooking and culinary presentation will be especially appreciated.
Both principals work full-time and are seeking someone who can take meaningful ownership of the household's day-to-day needs, allowing them to return home and focus on their personal lives rather than household responsibilities.
More than simply completing assigned tasks, the principals are looking for someone who takes genuine pride in their work, notices what needs attention, and approaches challenges with initiative and practical solutions.
The ideal candidate will be receptive to guidance while learning the household's individual preferences, ultimately developing the confidence and independence to manage their responsibilities without constant direction. Open communication, curiosity, warmth, and a willingness to learn are essential.
While initially part-time, this position has the potential to develop into a more extensive role as the working relationship grows and the household's needs evolve.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The position is based at a private residence of approximately 1,700 square feet in Encinitas. The home features two bedrooms, a glass patio, a modern, state-of-the-art kitchen, and carefully selected finishes and materials requiring attentive care.
The household consists of two working professionals, with family members visiting a few times throughout the year. There are no pets and no additional household staff. The successful candidate will report directly to the principals.
The atmosphere is welcoming, relaxed, and filled with an appreciation for good food, music, and comfortable living. The principals value a positive and enjoyable environment while maintaining clear expectations regarding professionalism, accountability, and the completion of responsibilities.
The anticipated schedule is three days per week, totaling approximately 18–24 hours. Flexibility and open communication are important, as some weeks may require additional hours or adjustments depending on household needs.
The principals favor a practical, results-oriented approach to scheduling. Scheduling and workload adjustments will be discussed openly to find mutually agreeable arrangements.
An average week will generally include two thorough house cleanings, laundry and household organization, grocery shopping, meal preparation or cooking for the week, and minor administrative tasks.
Occasionally, assistance may be requested at the principals' office rather than the residence. Such arrangements will always be discussed in advance.
Travel is not a regular component of the role, apart from local errands, grocery shopping, and the possibility of occasional transportation assistance for events once or twice per year.
The principals are committed to establishing a respectful, collaborative working relationship and are open to both providing guidance and learning from the successful candidate's experience and suggestions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Perform approximately two thorough house cleanings per week, maintaining exceptional standards of cleanliness, presentation, and organization throughout the residence, including the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, glass patio, and common areas.
Properly clean and maintain fine wood, glass, delicate surfaces, and other high-end materials, using appropriate products and techniques to preserve their condition.
Manage all aspects of household laundry and linen care, including washing, drying, folding, changing bed linens, organizing storage areas, and maintaining an orderly home.
Handle grocery shopping, ingredient sourcing, pantry organization, and weekly food preparation or cooking, with particular attention to the principals' culinary preferences, healthy eating habits, and appreciation for quality ingredients.
Provide light administrative and personal assistance, including calendar management, appointment scheduling, reminders, household coordination, errands, and occasional transportation needs.
Take proactive ownership of daily household operations, anticipating needs, identifying potential issues, and independently addressing them or presenting thoughtful, practical solutions.
Assist with occasional cleaning or organizational needs at the principals' office, subject to prior discussion and agreement.
Maintain open communication with the principals regarding household priorities, schedules, and improvements, gradually developing an independent understanding of their preferences while maintaining professionalism, discretion, and respect for their privacy.
REQUIREMENTS
Previous experience in private housekeeping, household assistance, or a comparable residential environment, with strong skills in detailed cleaning, laundry, linen care, and household organization.
Knowledge of appropriate cleaning methods and products for fine wood, glass, delicate finishes, and other high-end household materials.
Genuine enthusiasm for food, cooking, and culinary experiences, with an appreciation for healthy eating, quality ingredients, and thoughtfully prepared meals. Experience with elevated home cooking is highly desirable.
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational abilities, and time management, with the capacity to balance housekeeping, food preparation, errands, and light administrative responsibilities.
A proactive, resourceful, and solution-oriented mindset, with the ability to anticipate needs, recognize potential problems, and take initiative without constant supervision.
A warm, personable, and respectful demeanor, combined with a genuine willingness to listen, ask questions, accept feedback, and learn the principals' preferences while remaining open to collaboration and new approaches.
Ability to work independently once familiar with the household, with flexibility regarding scheduling, occasional additional hours, and changing priorities.
Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the ability to complete local errands, along with a strong commitment to honesty, reliability, professionalism, discretion, and household confidentiality.
Above all, they seek someone who takes pride in creating a beautiful, comfortable, and well-functioning home, approaches their responsibilities with heart, and wishes to become a trusted part of the household over time.
OUR CORE VALUES
● Principal’s First
Stays focused on meeting and exceeding the principals' needs.
● Learn from mistakes
Able to admit mistakes upfront and seeks the truth. Learns and grows from mistakes. Makes thoughtful choices and provides solutions to avoid future mistakes.
● Conscientious
Finishes duties mindfully, effectively and promptly.
● Dedication
Shows a deep commitment to the role and people.
● Accountable
Takes ownership of tasks and time for due diligence.
● Independent
Thinks, acts and finds solutions independently.
● Resilience
Does not complain or shy away from assigned work. Confronts difficulties with a positive outlook.
