Job Description

Personal & business ethos:

Wern-y-Cwm Farm is a privately run Furnished Holiday Let complex and Retreat Center. We run with organic principles to encourage biodiversity across the gardens and fields in a stunning location high up on the Skirrid Mountain. The properties are spread over a large farmstead which has been renovated in a creative way to deliver a stunning high-end, yet unique, hospitality location.

Already the Winner of the Visit Wales Best Self-Catering Accommodation 2025 and listed in numerous places as one of the best retreat centers in the Country, we have high standards to maintain whilst observing our environmental pledges. Every room across the farm is unique and furnished with up cycled and re-cycled items.

What do we expect from you in this role?

We are looking for a key employee to join our small team made up of Laura (the owner/manager) & three others working alongside the freelance gardeners & several local tradesmen. You will be our go-to person for all aspects of running the buildings from knowing the systems inside out, to knowing what to do if a slate comes off the roof (with input from Laura). You will help us with the regular day to day tasks like the hot tubs, and recycling, but also become the fountain of knowledge on why the underfloor heating is not working & where the tools are kept. The role is varied & requires an individual who is happy to help with all tasks - big & small. Some very simple, others need investigation and intelligent assessment.

Property Caretaking:

This role is to work alongside the Gardener & Change-over Team to keep the properties is perfect condition for the next guests. These duties include, but are not limited to:

Plant & Machinery:

- Understanding & being responsible for turning the heating (including oil, solar panels, ground & air source), electric Aga - ensuring the properties remain dry & warm for guests, but energy is not wasted.

- Understanding & being responsible for maintaining the bore holes (very little needed), trouble shooting & minor adjustments as required

- Understanding minor trouble shooting & being responsible for the appliances across the properties, knowing when calling in an engineer is needed

- Understanding & being responsible for maintaining hot tubs & electrical appliances, changing bulbs, trouble shooting and knowing when to call our electrician

- Cleaning hot tubs between guests & keeping records in line with safety standards

- Maintaining the Fire Alarm & Fridge/Freezer temperature checks across all properties (with help from others)

- Understanding the simple WIFI network (with help from others), knowing how to trouble shoot & call the engineer (which is almost never)

- Understanding the natural swimming pool, outdoor shower & sauna, carrying out simple maintenance & helping with the cleaning (when the Holistic Therapist is on holiday)

- Simple maintenance jobs for the Vintage Citroen HY Camper Van - with training.

Change Over Duties:

- Working with the Housekeeping Team, help with changeovers of guests staying, including sorting recycling, keeping outside areas clean & tidy, dealing with leaf management in Autumn (with help from the gardener), cleaning fireplaces & laying fires, replenishing log supplies, cleaning BBQs & firepits.

- Where needed helping the changeover team with heavier jobs such as delivery of laundry to each house & other jobs which the team need assistance with such as washing carpets, polishing floors etc.

Maintenance Duties:

- Taking ownership of all small maintenance & repair jobs such as changing fuses, simple repairs to furniture, putting up new curtain poles, pictures etc.

- In quieter periods using the time when the houses are not rented out to touch up paint work, minor painting & lime slurry, deal with damp issues, sand down & re-oil work surfaces etc. Plus, any other areas of maintenance that the applicant can undertake (saving the need to call in builders as much as possible).

Ancillary areas of responsibility:

The role will include keeping some of the sheds and stables tidy and well organised. This will mean taking ownership of the tool shed in order that spare parts & tools are easy to find when needed.

In addition to keeping the house and gardens tidy, the role will include undertaking a variety of other property management responsibilities such as collecting materials (using the business van) & generally being a key member of the small friendly team.

If the applicant has the skills and aptitude for other areas of work, such as log chopping/helping in the gardens/occasionally looking after the donkeys etc - then this could be of use, but they are not essential.

Essential Skills:

This role requires the ability to follow instructions & learn how the property runs in order that the house and grounds are maintained in top condition.

Whilst there are set standards for some areas, others require your input & decision making abilities - with the applicant showing an aptitude for independent thinking, being able to solve problems & knowing when a tradesperson needs to be called out.

You should be confident with all aspects of house management & DIY with great attention to detail.

You will be responsible for the technical side of the property & be confident that you know how to set & run the heating & other systems, vintage camper van & company van.

You need good time management & the ability to manage your workload, making sure all jobs are undertaken in line with the set standards. The houses must always be perfect for the next guests with no detail forgotten.

Full, clean driving license & being able to drive the Kubota around the property.

Working day:

Hours are flexible depending on the total level of skills of the applicant - if you wish to take on more of the maintenance, decorating or outside duties, then we may be able to offer more hours.

The hours will be shorter in mid-winter in view of the levels of holiday bookings, and more in the summer.

We require an applicant who will put this job first and be on hand to help in line with business needs.

Benefits:

Flexible working hours (in line with business and personal requirements)

Short working days (could suit a parent or a fit person taking early retirement)

Freelance or PAYE - in line with the applicant's other commitments

Lovely, friendly working environment in a stunning location near Abergavenny

Opportunity for Learning and Development if required

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 16.00-20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 - 30 per week

Benefits:

Additional leave Flexitime On-site parking
Work Location: In person