Summer House Staff
- Overview
The Role of Summer House Staff
Summer House Staff wear many hats throughout their day-to-day work. Some of their responsibilities include cleaning, laundering, formal dining service, preparation for and execution of special events, grocery shopping, personal assistance, outdoor maintenance, chauffeuring and property maintenance.
Summer House Staff are jacks of all trades who offer exceptional customer service and excel at consolidating the duties of many different roles into one. They have a strong work ethic, a team-player attitude, and overall, they are incredibly versatile workers that allow a principal and their guests to fully enjoy their seasonal residence.
- The Role Defined
Job Description
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
Formal education is not required for Summer House Staff, although candidates will typically have completed their secondary education. Seasonal positions are popular options for college students, those who are between undergraduate and graduate studies, or who are otherwise looking for summer-only employment.
We typically look for candidates with at least 2 – 3 years of experience in a customer/personal service setting. Depending on the specific needs of a principal, experience in a particular area may be required, such as child/pet-care, executive assistance, cleaning/laundering, food preparation/service or property management. That said, Summer House Staff do NOT need prior experience as Summer House Staff, or even in private staffing. These are temporary positions, with responsibilities that are limited in scope, and necessary skills can easily be learned on the job.
SKILLS
Summer House Staff are general service providers. Principals that are hiring seasonal staff will typically have a permanent estate or property manager that is responsible for training new staff with the skills they need throughout the season. That said, skills that may be considered useful include:
- Bartending experience/knowledge of wines
- Computer/office technology proficiency
- Experience with smart home/automation devices
- Ability to chauffeur principal(s) and guests
- Fluency in a foreign language
- General physical fitness is also very useful, as seasonal positions typically require some degree of manual labor (e.g., moving outdoor furniture, organizing or setting up/taking down seasonal décor, outdoor work, etc.)
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to connect personally with principal(s), guests and other staff
CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING
Formal training or certifications are not required for Summer House Staff, however, those with formal training or prior experience in private service will have a leg up on those without.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A Summer House Staff’s responsibilities depend entirely on the nature of their position, as well as the presence of other stuff. Common duties include:
- Performing various chores and errands, including shopping for gifts and personal items, picking up prescriptions, grocery shopping, etc.
- Screening and directing phone calls and distributing correspondence
- Preparing food or working with culinary staff, formal service, washing dishes,
- Deep cleaning prior to a principal(s) arrival cleaning, regular housekeeping, laundering, outdoor upkeep and working on small projects inside and outside of the house
- Maintaining vehicles, driving guests/principal(s), etc.
- Preparing for and executing special events, organizing activities for families or children
- Various forms of pet-care, childcare or senior care
ATTRIBUTES
Characteristics of successful Summer House Staff include:
“Nothing is too small” attitude
Top-tier Summer House Staff will possess an attitude that “nothing is too small” for them – that they understand their role as the ultimate support/resource to another individual. Summer House Staff should be ready to take on any task, no matter how big or small, with enthusiasm and efficiency. He or she should be proactive, adaptable, professional and should strive to deliver high-quality results.
Natural customer service skills
Summer House Staff should have exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with principal(s), colleagues, clients and other staff. They should be service-oriented and proactive about anticipating others’ needs. They should be able to listen actively, communicate clearly and concisely and resolve conflicts constructively.
Team player
One of the most important qualities for someone in a Summer House Staff role is to have a team player attitude. Seasonal staff should think of their employment situation as being a member of a team that delivers high-quality service, similar to a luxury resort, and should be willing to step up at all times. This person should be supportive, cooperative and respectful of diverse opinions, willing to share information and feedback in a constructive manner, and also willing to seek help when needed.
Ownership
Summer House Staff should be able to work independently and proactively, taking initiative and ownership of tasks and following through on their commitments. Summer residence staff need to be able to quickly get up to speed and be fully ready for a principal’s arrival, so it is critical that they are not someone who needs to be motivated by someone else or reminded to do their work. Individuals who take a high-level of ownership in their work will naturally take pride in delivering high-quality results that can exceed the expectations of the employer and their guests.
COMPENSATION
Compensation varies widely for Summer House Staff, because each employer is unique in the way they choose to employ others. A standard approach is to pay staff for each day they are employed throughout the summer. Rates generally range from $250 – 400 per day (gross compensation), or between $25 – 50 per hour. Factors that command a higher salary include specific experience, education or training requirements, ability to work outside of normal hours or be on call, flexibility to travel or live on site, fluency in languages other than English. Components of a Summer House Staff’s compensation include:
Base salary
A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. As mentioned, we typically see employers think of pay for their seasonal staff per diem, but compensation may also be thought of per hour (or for the duration of the season), and paid out proportionally on your normal pay-period.
Completion bonus
A Completion Bonus is a bonus that is paid to seasonal employees who meet certain criteria: most notably staying until the end of the season, however it can also be used to reward attendance or performance. A completion bonus is a highly recommended incentive for seasonal staff.
Living expenses
It is common for some or all household staff to be offered living accommodations either at the primary residence, at an adjoining accommodation on the property or within certain proximity of the residence. Reasons for this include the need for staff to be available off-hours, the type of duties staff are responsible for (e.g., waking up early to get the residence ready, or staying up until the last guest has gone to bed), or because the residence is in a remote location, or one that would require staff to relocate. If a principal requires any of these living situations of their Summer House Staff, housing and/or moving expenses are expected to be included in the employee’s compensation package. Food/beverage and other daily living expenses may or may not be included at the discretion of the employer.
STANDARD BENEFITS
Summer House Staff typically do not receive employer provided benefits, although if staff are associated with a family office, or they are being considered for long-term employment, they may receive any of the following:
Medical, dental and vision
Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.
Retirement savings account
401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.
Paid time off
PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.
Travel/miscellaneous expenses
Expenses incurred when travelling or conducting business on behalf of the estate. Expenses can include transportation, accommodations, meals and other costs related to business travel, and may either be reimbursed or covered by an allowance or budget.
OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"
Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:
Education
- Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children
Professional development
- Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications
Health and wellness
- Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered in the house
- Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
- Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
- Life and disability insurance
Employee assistance
- Financial counseling
- Legal advice
- Transportation reimbursement or allowance
Charity
- Volunteer opportunities
- PTO days for community service
- Charitable match program
Family benefits
- On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
- Parental and family medical leave
Workplace
- Remote work/flexible hours
- Casual work attire
- Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards
REPORT STRUCTURE
Summer House Staff generally reports:
- To a House or Estate Manager
- To an Executive Assistant, Executive Personal Assistant or Personal Assistant
- To another contact designated by the principal (e.g. Director of Operations or Administration of a family office, a principal’s Chief of Staff, etc.)
- Directly to the principal(s)
Summer House Staff rarely manage other staff, although every employment situation is different. In our experience, principals typically maintain a relatively flat structure for seasonal staff.
Elevating Your Summer Home
Summer House Staff are essential for maintaining the perfect atmosphere at your seasonal home. Whether managing daily operations, organizing events, or handling housekeeping, they ensure that your summer retreat runs smoothly. With attention to detail and a dedication to service, they help create a welcoming, stress-free environment.
Ready to enjoy your summer home to the fullest? Let us connect you with Summer House Staff who will take care of everything, so all that’s left for you to do is relax and unwind.
Adam Cook
Managing Director, Old State Staffing
- Stress-Free Summer
Our Seasonal Staff Have You Covered
Why You Should Consider Summer House Staff
Summer House Staff provide comprehensive care at your seasonal residence, from housekeeping and maintenance to event planning and guest services. Their support ensures that your summer home remains clean, organized and welcoming at all times. A Summer House Staff team can help:
- Manage day-to-day household operations during the season
- Provide housekeeping and property maintenance
- Organize events, activities, and guest accommodations
- Offer concierge-level service for your comfort
- Handle all the small details so you can fully enjoy your time away
Hiring Summer House Staff ensures your seasonal home is always ready for relaxation and enjoyment, with professionals taking care of every aspect of your property.
- Experts For Every Need
