Guide for Hiring Private Island Caretakers
Few island owners live on their island full time. Therefore, many hire caretakers to manage their island property while they are away. Island caretakers fulfill a wide variety of tasks while on the island from gardening to security to preparing the home for guests. Some of the tasks that island caretakers typically do include the following.
- General carpentry and construction
- Cleaning
- Gardening
- Security and monitoring of island.
- Preparing for owners/renters.
Islands require a lot of care and maintenance, particularly when there is a home on the islands. The skills that will be required of your caretaker depend on primarily on the location of your island and the duration that you will be away. It is important to hire a caretaker who has a wide variety of skills and abilities. Here is a list of things you may want to consider when looking for a caretaker.
- Basic plumbing skills
- Basic mechanical skills
- Excellent problem solving skills
- Excellent time management skills
- Ability to work well independently.
- Ability to make do with limited resources.
- Having a hobby is beneficial given the large amount of free time.
- Gardening skills.
- Enjoy working outdoors.
- Willing to work flexible hours.
- Willing to live on a small stipend
- First aid skills and good health.
- Previous experience
- No criminal record.
The position of island caretaker is relatively rare therefore it is highly coveted by people. It is also important to remember that since an island caretaker invariably has a lot of free time on their hands, the job is highly suitable for, and highly desired by those who prefer to live alone. Thus, typical applicants range from writers and artists, to computer programmers and even Buddhists monks. Compensation for island caretakers varies depending on a number of factors including isolation, duration of stay, and required duties/skills. For example, if you are hiring someone to take care of a small island resort while it is closed for the season you will need a highly skilled person to take care of the island. In addition the person will be required to spend more of his/her time working. Thus, it will likely cost more to hire a caretaker. Conversely, if you hire a caretaker for a small island home it is likely that they will spend only a few hours a day working and thus will be paid less.
