Covid-free job with great pay
2026
Make simple meals, take care of the house (daily clean-up, organization, maintenance—attention to kitchen cleanliness is very important), grocery shopping, watering and other plant care (you'll learn how here), errands, light laundry, and other tasks. A small amount of daily personal care. A car is essential (unless you take on the responsibility and costs of using a car service.) Must be 21 or older, healthy, vaccinated and boosted. Your most important part of the job is to be here and commit to helping make this a COVID-safe home and environment. CoViD, colds, flu, other viruses—we want to avoid all of it.
$700 a week (a bit over $3,000 a month) salary plus free rent and utilities. After the first two months, you'll receive a raise to $750 a week if all is going well. You’ll have a living room and bedroom on the second floor by yourself. Rooms are furnished. You'll make a commitment to stay here seven months and you'll receive a $3000 to $4000 bonus at the end of that time. (If you've done an exemplary job, the bonus will be $4,000.) Of course, you're welcome to stay longer, and some helpers have, but seven months is the minimum commitment. It goes quickly, especially if you have goals for how to use your free time.
General life experience. Most similar job would be a housekeeper/nanny (though your employer is very well behaved, promise!).
Approximately 35-40 hours of work per week depending on your work style. The day usually starts at 10 am and, if you're organized, the bulk of your tasks usually can be done in about 3-4 hours, though some days we might have a special project (unpacking a box, organizing some shelves, dealing with something unexpected), plus an hour or so at dinnertime, and 20 minutes or so at bedtime. Bedtime is 12 midnight. Afternoons there will be an errand (like grocery shopping nearby) or a special task, doing a small load of laundry, or finishing up your work from the morning or just free time. A lot will depend on how organized you are and how well you keep things maintained. The most successful helpers left the kitchen absolutely clean every night, so each night just required maintenance. There will be occasional small interruptions like bringing in mail or packages or helping with something that only takes a couple of minutes. It's life, so expect the unexpected, but usually things are quiet and routine. One helper described the afternoons as “having a lot of downtime.”
End of October, 2026, or sooner, with a rock-solid seven-month or longer commitment. (If you’re the person for this job but the time frame doesn’t work for you, please specify that on the application.) Keep in mind that your time here will include the winter holidays.
You are thoughtful, like to laugh, and understand how vitally important good communication is—communicating freely and easily and warmly is one of the most important parts of the job. Introverts are very welcome here! You're careful, active, and flexible when little changes happen. You can handle a lot of details and manage the many routine tasks required to run any household well (you'll also be trained at the start of your job here—how to make dinner, where everything is kept, bedtime checklists, you name it). You have a lot of integrity and make rock-solid commitments. You're a body-positive person who just thinks bodies are bodies. You are highly observant, thorough, and absolutely trustworthy. You are single; this old house and this job really aren't set up for couples.
You want to save a lot of money to make your dreams come true or to pay off your debts—and with no rent and utilities, this is your chance. Perhaps you take online classes or have an online job, or maybe are an artist or writer—or you just want to have a quiet job without constant COVID and respiratory virus exposure, commutes, customers, or pressure. Or, maybe you're moving here from another state and want to ease into Portland. Or maybe you just need a chance for a reset. Oh, and if you have a (reasonably well-mannered) dog, that's wonderful!
A previous helper spent her time here going online to finish her Master’s and teach classes. She saved her pay, bought a car, and went on to travel to Europe! Another helper is an actor who moved to Portland for this job and saved money while looking online for projects. A helper in 2023 wanted 9 months to just chill, self-reflect, devote time to being with her dog, and work on some low-key crafts and other personal projects.
“Living and working here was a chance for me to grow and heal. I was also able to pay off my debts and save money for the next chapter of my life. I’d just left a long term relationship and was beginning to medically transition. Here, I found a safe space where I was supported and seen. She was so receptive to my needs—she really cared about me. The joking and humor we shared was very uplifting, too. As expected with a Covid-safe house, there’s some isolation, but also free time. I had the ability to reflect without distractions and to take a long daily walk. I also started making chainmail jewelry. I grew more into being my full, true self, made a new friend, (and now have a bunch of cool jewelry!)” —H. Smith, Portland
This household is progressive and wholeheartedly non-discriminatory. We welcome LGBTQIA+ applicants.
Even if you’re not the person for this job, you might know someone who is! That might be a relative in college, a former nanny, a coworker’s sister, a “starving artist,” or a neighbor. The best way to help would be to copy the job description above and paste it into a Facebook post to your friends and family, including a link to this page so the perfect person that you know can apply directly. Thank you in advance for spreading the word!