Retired mature couple to work together in Umbria Italy. Job is hands-on property and grounds maintenance and cleaning ironing - Orvieto

Live-in settled mature couple for long-term position at rural north west Umbrian home, Italy. Retired or similar. Practical, mechanical, skilled, clean, organised, domestic and takes pride in work and appearance. September 2014 start. European Union passports essential.

Details

We are an independent couple who travel frequently and are looking for a live-in couple to work together at our rural north west Umbrian home, halfway between Rome and Florence. You both will need to hold a current European passport which is necessary for work in Italy.

You are a mature couple of at least 50 years of age, nearing retirement or retiired. The next step you take needs to offer a new horizon, but also a job, a home and an opportunity to work together whilst topping up your savings. Ideally, you seek a position for at least three years with your own apartment on site. 

We are at 410 metres altitude with stunning views and have warm hot summers and cold winters, which occasionally brings heavy but short-lived snow. We have no immediate neighbours. You should be in good health, happy and settled together as a couple and possess clean driving licences and have high standards in all aspects. We seek someone who is mechanically adept and can complete general repairs and maintenance of houses, machines, vehicles, swimming pool etc. You must also be house-proud with a sense of good hygiene and an eye for security. We like the grounds to be maintained in a visually appealing manner. You will possess a practical problem solving approach, and also a willingness to take instruction. The desire to complete tasks and take pride in your life and your work is essential.

Like all jobs, there are routine tasks, but no day is the same and you must be able to drive a tractor, lawnmower and car as part of the responsibilities in maintaining the property and grounds. There are occasional times when we ask for help with meals, but generally we cook for ourselves. You must regularly dust, launder, iron, clean, sew, wash floors and windows and enjoy making jams, chutneys and preserves. There will be occasional need for chauffeuring.

Green fingers are also essential to manage our walled vegetable garden, lawns, raised vegetable and herb beds, and flower beds. And Mother Nature requires that weed killing by strimmer and by hand is a regular occurrence too. You need to be able to use a chainsaw to cut trees from our wood for stacking, drying, and using as firewood.  

Pool, pumps and filters require maintenance. This includes skimming, topping up, and pump and filter work to ensure good water quality.

You must be dog lovers as our two small pets require care and affection, removal of ticks, visits to the vet, walking, feeding and supervision.

Our passion is our small non-commercial vineyard which requires attention from the Spring to the harvest in Autumn. We use our own cantina to press grapes and bottle the wines to complete the cycle from vine to table.

We are in full-time residence from Easter until end of October, with irregular visits most months outside these times. Between Easter and September we have occasional guests, and preparation is needed in advance and on departure.

There are two houses with an interconnecting paved courtyard and the ground floor of the smaller house has an independent staff flat of 90m2 which offers considerable privacy. The flat is fully furnished and appointed to a high standard.

The season ends in November with the olive harvest. The seasons are very distinct, and the winter months can be a good time for learning Italian or pursuing a hobby. Good Italian language skills are not vital for the role, but knowing a few phrases and some vocabulary makes life easier.   

We place high standards on ourselves and would expect the same of the hands-on couple who come to work. The position is a long-term one with an expectation of committing to at least a three-year period. Your independence, maturity and capability of bringing to the situation an enterprising set of minds, eyes and ears is important.