Salaried House Manager — Job Posting

Bethlehem Farm Is Hiring an Hourly House Manager

Apply: eric@bethlehemfarm.net or 304-445-7143.

Bethlehem Farm is seeking a friendly, organized, and mission-driven House Manager to coordinate meals, housekeeping, and hospitality for volunteers and staff at our farm.

This is an on-site, full-time, salaried position based at Bethlehem Farm near Alderson, West Virginia. Hours vary seasonally, averaging 40 hours per week. Hours will be heavier during the 15–17 volunteer weeks per year, and lighter the rest of the year.

About Bethlehem Farm

Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia that transforms lives through direct service — primarily low-income home repair — alongside sustainability education. We invite volunteers to join us in living the Gospel cornerstones of service, prayer, simplicity, and community.

In the spirit of the Gospel, Christian unity, and the cornerstones, Bethlehem Farm provides a warm “welcome home” and services to anyone regardless of age, race, color, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, & military status.

Applicants of any Christian tradition are encouraged to apply.

About the Role

Reporting to the Executive Director (or designee) and accountable to the Caretaker Community, the House Manager coordinates the use and upkeep of the farm house, including meal preparation and planning, oversight of daily chores, and supervision of home crews. Key responsibilities include:

Planning menus for up to 50 people and sourcing food as locally and organically as possible
Coordinating and supervising home crews during group weeks, instructing students and adults in food preparation and hospitality
Preparing meals for volunteers and live-in Caretakers throughout volunteer and non-volunteer weeks
Overseeing kitchen equipment and food inventory, and accommodating dietary needs and restrictions
Maintaining a clean, hazard-free environment throughout both main common houses
Managing Farm laundry, household supplies, and general upkeep
Providing warm hospitality to volunteers and community members
Facilitating volunteer prayer planning in retreat spaces

Position Description

Definition

Under the supervision of the Bethlehem Farm Executive Director (or designee), and accountable to the Caretaker Community, the House Manager coordinates the use and upkeep of the farm house — including meal preparation and planning, oversight of daily chores, and supervision of home crews — to maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming home environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Kitchen Duties

Plans menus for up to 50 people and purchases food
Sources food as locally and organically as possible, maintaining relationships with local farmers and regional cooperatives
Prepares meals with assistance from service-week participants for volunteers and live-in Caretakers Sunday night through Saturday morning during volunteer weeks (weekends off, with meals prepared in advance)
Prepares dinner Monday through Thursday during non-volunteer weeks
Oversees kitchen food and equipment inventory
Coordinates and supervises the home crew during group weeks
Accommodates dietary needs and restrictions of volunteers and Caretakers (e.g., vegan, allergies)
Works with the Farm Gardener to preserve and store garden produce
Maintains food budget records, balancing cost with support for local farmers and food systems

Housekeeping Duties

Provides warm hospitality to volunteers and community members
Maintains a clean, hazard-free environment throughout common areas of both houses
Maintains household appliances
Oversees Farm laundry
Monitors natural pest control services for the house
Purchases non-toxic cleaning and household supplies
Coordinates reuse-reduce-recycling efforts, including composting of kitchen scraps, in accordance with the Christian value of care for creation
Organizes storage spaces and maintains pest-free environment in pantry and linen closets
Assists with long-term maintenance of both main houses as needed

Volunteer Management & Education

Orients volunteer “Home Crews” (primarily teens and young adults) to their daily work through the lens of the Gospel cornerstones of prayer, simplicity, community, and service. Models the integration of these values and discusses how they are implemented in daily life at Bethlehem Farm.
Teaches service-week participants house cleaning and meal preparation skills and oversees them in the successful completion of both activities, taking final responsibility for a quality result.
Facilitates volunteer prayer planning in retreat spaces
Upholds Christian standards and values as described in the Community Handbook’s “Responsibilities of Community Members”

Qualifications

Ability to supervise volunteers
Ability to teach house cleaning, food preparation and food preservation skills to volunteers with limited experience
Basic cooking and food preparation skills
Open to faith-based, collaborative ministry with volunteers and the local community
Possession of a current driver’s license and a good driving record
Ability to pass a background check and drug test
Faithful Christian open to the Catholic tradition

Commitment and Compensation

$35,000-$40,000, based on experience
Tiered health insurance benefit
Training & development funds available
Eligible for retirement matching benefit after 2 years of service
Local and organic meals included during work hours
Use of Bethlehem Farm vehicles for Farm business during work hours
Hours vary seasonally, averaging 40 hours per week. Hours will be more rigid (9:00am-6:30pm) during the 15–17 volunteer weeks per year, and more flexible the rest of the year.
Typically Monday-Friday. Weekend hours will be required on some group volunteer weeks (2-3 times per year)