Domestic Helper Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a domestic helper job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a domestic helper. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a domestic helper.
Who is a Domestic Helper?
A Domestic Helper is an individual who works in the employer’s home. A domestic helper handles housekeeping tasks like cleaning and upkeep for an individual or a family. Other duties can include cooking, washing, ironing, buying groceries, and doing other errands around the house. Such work has always been necessary, but it was physically far more difficult before the invention of labor-saving technologies. They may provide care for children and the elderly in some households.
Some domestic employees live with their employers. Domestic labor, while vital, is typically arduous and underappreciated.
Regular housekeeping is one of a domestic helper’s key responsibilities. This may entail doing the dishes, laundry, vacuuming, mopping, and sweeping. Additionally, they can be expected to cook part or all of the family meals. Some domestic helpers are also responsible for lawn care or gardening.
Domestic helpers are required to do errands on occasion in addition to their usual cleaning chores. Depending on the family’s needs, these may involve dropping off or picking up kids, grocery shopping, going to the dry cleaners or bringing a family member to a doctor’s appointment or another event.
A domestic helper frequently looks after young children or elderly family members. This may involve a variety of responsibilities, such as seeing that they take their daily meds and assisting them with getting dressed and bathing. Some domestic helpers are employed primarily to carry out these tasks, while others might help out sometimes.
Domestic Helper Job Description
What is a domestic helper job description? A domestic helper job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a domestic helper in an organization. Below are the domestic helper job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a domestic helper job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of the domestic helper include the following:
- Ensure all kitchen equipment, including stovetops, dishwashers, and microwaves, is well-cleaned and maintained.
- Wash, dry, and store dishes in the appropriate cabinets.
- Follow the precise washing and ironing directions supplied by homeowners.
- Make beds, change linens, and organize living spaces like bedrooms.
- Manage kitchen cleaning tasks including organizing cupboards and sterilizing counters.
- Make sure carpets are vacuumed and shampooed according to the instructions of homeowners.
- Empty trash cans and ashtrays, and ensure all trash is disposed of correctly.
- Ensure that the cupboard and refrigerator are stocked with enough food by throwing away any food that has gone bad.
- Wax floors and polish any silver items you have around the house.
- Take care of children and senior citizens.
- Clean counters, floors, and other surfaces to remove stains.
- Make sure the alarm systems you have installed are functioning.
- Prepare meals according to the homeowner’s authorized recipes or other guidelines.
Qualifications
- Get a high school certificate, GED, or its equivalent
- Obtain an associate degree (optional)
- Prior experience in a similar position is a plus
- A valid driving permit (optional)
- Ability to work a range of shifts, including weekends
Essential Skills
Here are the skills you require to excel as a domestic helper:
- Communication Skill
- Cooking Skill
- Dependability
- First aid
- Listening
- Collaboration
- Flexibility
- Housekeeping
- Interpersonal
- Organization
- Pass Background Check
- Patience
- Problem-solving
- Physical Endurance
- Time Management
- Well-behaved
- Security and Safety Procedures
Communication Skill
Effective communication between parents and domestic staff is essential. Domestic helpers should elicit information from parents and the kids to understand their expectations. To manage the house effectively, parents should also provide clear answers to all queries and maintain open lines of communication.
Cooking Skill
It is a huge benefit when domestic helpers can prepare meals for the family. Family members may have different tastes in food, maybe on diet, or have food allergies, so they need to know the kind of meals, their cooking skills come in helpful in this respect. Even though the nanny’s primary responsibility is to look after the children and keep them from being distracted, the necessity for their culinary assistance may arise in the evenings.
Dependability
Domestic helpers must be dependable and trustworthy. In addition to trusting them to accomplish their jobs as needed and give their homes the best care possible, parents must rely on them to do home duties.
First Aid
Every domestic helper must possess the necessary skills to do CPR, as well as to relieve someone who is choking and to treat burns and bleeding. If the helper is skilled in first aid, it puts parents at ease since they know they can take good care of their kids when they are not around.
Listening
Before asking inquiries, house helpers must pay close attention to and fully comprehend the advice offered by family members. They ought to be patient with the kids as well, paying close attention to their wants and words when it is suitable.
Collaboration
For domestic helpers to succeed, they must develop their communication skills with parents and other family members. Even though it would all depend on the urgency of a crisis, they should assist as needed. They ought to be able to examine other people’s perspectives and provide an unvarnished opinion. Since they may also look after the kids all day, they must commit to having a positive effect on them and providing them with proactive counsel. They must appreciate the value of their effort before arranging their schedule to accommodate duties for the benefit of the kids.
Flexibility
Being flexible is having the capacity to change course when necessary. You can require flexibility in your work environment and schedule as a domestic helper. If another worker is sick, you can be asked to cover for them or take on more responsibilities. You may overcome these obstacles and maintain good relations with your employer by being flexible.
Housekeeping
Domestic helpers should have good housekeeping skills since they do chores like cleaning, laundry, and ironing. They must possess this skill because housekeeping is a significant portion of the job description for this role.
Interpersonal
Understanding other people’s feelings and communicating with them are examples of interpersonal skills. Because domestic helps frequently interact directly with employers, who may have various personalities or requirements, this is a crucial ability. A competent domestic helper will be able to notice this and react appropriately.
Organization
The organization skill is the ability to monitor activities and resources. You can oversee supplies in your employer’s home or workplace as a domestic helper. You should also be able to finish chores on schedule and know where to get the essential supplies. This can guarantee you accomplish jobs quickly and ease your employer’s worry.
Pass Background Check
Domestic helpers should give companies their background information and references from prior work. The potential employer may want to look into both criminal and driving histories. While some would prefer helpers with experience, some insist on hiring maids with high school diplomas.
Patience
The ability to wait is known as patience. When adjusting to your employer’s schedule or waiting for them to give you a task, you can require patience as a domestic helper. You may improve your work productivity and interpersonal connections by being more patient.
Problem-solving
Domestic helpers should be able to sort through complex difficulties and assess potential solutions for domestic-related challenges. They must be open and problem-solving-focused while speaking with their bosses. They must be capable of handling some situations on their own without assistance.
Physical Endurance
It’s crucial to have strong physical endurance because a domestic helper’s job can be physically taxing. You might have to move furniture and other large objects or lift heavy goods. Additionally, the capacity to stand for extended periods is advantageous for cleaning or cooking.
Time Management
The ability to schedule and carry out work in a way that guarantees you fulfill your duties within a time duration is known as time management. For instance, it’s crucial to know how long each work will take so you can prioritize appropriately. Knowing when to seek advice or assistance from others is another important aspect of time management. You can use your time and resources more effectively if you have this skill.
Well-Behaved
Since domestic helpers may be around kids all day, it is obvious that kids would pick up diverse habits from them. They gain knowledge from other family members as well. For this reason, domestic helpers must uphold high moral standards and behave professionally. Their good manners positively influence the kids, which may motivate them to adopt their good behaviors.
Security and Safety Procedures
Knowing safety and security protocols is crucial for domestic helpers. They can be in charge of guarding their employer’s residence, thus they had to know how to keep them secure. They should, for instance, be aware of all emergency exits and what to do if the fire alarm goes off in the home.
Additionally, they must understand how to safeguard themselves from any risks at work. For instance, they should understand safe tool usage and chemical handling techniques.
How to Become a Domestic Helper
Below are the steps you may take to become a domestic helper:
Step One: Acquire Experience
You may get experience in various methods to help you become a domestic helper, such as working as an office cleaner, restaurant assistant, or babysitting.
Step Two: Go for College Education
It may be beneficial to get a college degree to increase chances to be employed in homes that would require that while you clean and cook, you may also tutor their kids in homework, etc. A bachelor’s degree may be helpful if you want to assist older kids or eventually transition into teaching. An associate degree in early childhood education might equip you to work with young children.
Step Three: Collaborate with an Organization or Agency
If you look for work through an agency, you could have better access to local job openings and families. Although you might also need to interview the family, agencies frequently do comprehensive screening procedures and interviews to ensure they match you with a fit family.
Step Four: Choose your Price
Consult ads and other working domestic helpers to learn more about the rates charged in your neighborhood. Knowing what others are charging can help you bargain effectively and be adaptable enough to meet the demands of a particular family or community. Consider your education, credentials, and the services you are willing to offer when you choose your fees.
Step Five: Advertise
Consider developing a professional presence when you get expertise. Make a CV that highlights your areas of competence, then search online job boards. Choose a photo and bio that are both approachable and knowledgeable. Share with those in your network and community that you are available for employment, and be timely and courteous when answering questions.
You can also print fliers of your services and share them with your neighbors, and also post them where possible.
Where to Work as a Domestic Helper
Typically employed in their employers’ homes, domestic helpers carry out a variety of tasks including cooking, cleaning, washing, and child care. Additionally, they can be in charge of conducting errands like grocery shopping or picking up and dropping off the kids at school.
Domestic helpers could have their living arrangements in certain circumstances while they might reside in their employer’s house. They may work lengthy, unpredictable shifts and be available round the clock.
Domestic Helper Salary Scale
Domestic helpers in the United States make on average, $26,490 per year, or $12.74 per hour. This equates to $509 each week or $2,207 per month. Their earnings may vary between $19,500 to $31,000.
In the UK, the average salary for a domestic helper is £24,001 annually or £12.31 per hour. The starting salary for entry-level jobs is £21,568 per year, while the average yearly salary for experienced professionals is £33,150.
In Canada, a domestic helper makes an average of CA$27,300 a year or CA$14 an hour. Most experienced professionals earn up to CA$31,541 yearly, while entry-level occupations start at CA$25,350 annually.
A domestic helper earns an average salary of AU$26,506 annually in Australia. More experienced ones may earn up to AU$37,371 per year, while entry-level ones start at AU$22,923 annually.
Domestic helpers make an average gross salary of €27,039 or about €13 per hour in Germany. Additionally, they receive a €262 bonus on average. The typical wage for an entry-level domestic helper is €27,039. The average pay for the senior-level domestic helper is €33,155.
The typical wage for a domestic helper at entry level is €21,293 in Ireland. An experienced senior-level domestic one makes an average income of €26,856.