What do you think about this job opportunity?

[Anonymous]

This is a listing for an open position in San Francisco. It's through an agency that I *think* is new to San Francisco though they also work in southern California. Here's the job description, let me know what you think.

FT, LIVE-IN nanny needed for one week ON, one week OFF schedule in SOMA for young, fun & modern family! Position is for very rambunctious and active boy who will be 2 years old in June. Pay is $60K/year GROSS. Family currently employs a wonderful nanny, and this new person will work with current nanny as a team on all fronts - you work one full week, then she works the next full week. They want someone who looks forward to being in a nanny team & communicates with her about how your week with the child was, any new behaviors or developments, etc. When 'on' duty, you will need a 24/7 mentality, but Mom is around often and encourages nanny to take a break during nap, grab a coffee, get fresh air, etc. However, hours are often long and you must be comfortable with this for 7-straight days each shift. Parents also have a fair amount of social events during week/weekends, so evening care is required (child goes to bed by 7PM, but nanny will need to be more than happy staying at the family's loft). Occasional travel may be asked (family is building a house in Mexico). Duties include providing full-charge, TLC to toddler. This means taking to and from activities, coming up with fun outings, playing indoor and outdoor games, and have TONS of physical energy to keep up with him - Mom says he can keep going & going! Also, Mom wants someone who is 100% confident reinforcing positive discipline with him and setting boundaries + maintaining consistency in discipline. Light housekeeping includes keeping up with all of child's toys/laundry, meal prep and clean up for him. Mom has noted that they keep a VERY clean home and look for someone who values this (i.e., if you use a dish or the child uses a dish, it goes straight from the dining table to the dishwasher). Also, MUST be up from some occasional family assistant duties during child's 3-hour nap (running to store to grab groceries if mom is home, organizational projects, etc.). MUST be confidential, discreet, a total toddler pro, and physically energetic. MUST have valid driver's license - car available to use on the job. AWESOME career nanny position!

[Anonymous]

I see a few red flags, but first I'd want to know why the yo-yo schedule? It can't be good for the child.

[Anonymous]

Seems like the most effort the mom puts into raising her kid is finding a nanny to do it for her. I would not take this job.

[Anonymous]

I would cautiously proceed and attempt to clarify a few red flags/details. It could be workable, it could be terrible, but it isn't obviously one or the other so if it sounds good to you I'd say talk to the mom.

[Anonymous]

When you break it down the hourly rate is right around $13/hr, (24hrs x 7 days x 26 weeks a year= 4368 hours/yr) and that's not even factoring in any over time calculations. Definitely not enough to be worth it for me.

[Anonymous]

NO WAY! That is a full 7 days a week, even if getting every other week off. It comes out to (if I did my calculations correctly), about $2300 each week worked. Since I don't know how they are paying you for the hours, I just did 16 daytime and the 8 sleeping hours for each day. It could be $20/hr for daytime and nothing for sleeping, though would probably be less for daytime and then some for sleeping. That is without any OT.

But they are asking for A LOT of you with this position. It really deserves at least $20-23/hr daytime AND extra for sleeping. Definitely not something I would consider. There was another ad being posted for a dual nanny (switching off) that asked the nanny to not work another job in the time she had off from them, BUT paid her for that time too (just in case they needed her at some point). It was a very well paid position, and didn't seem like the mom would micromanage you or demand such extreme cleanliness.

[Anonymous]

Looks to me like the kid has no boundaries. I doubt they'll tell you how many nannies he has already had.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if it's even a true live in, or if they'll make you find your own place for your off weeks.

[Anonymous]

Pay rate aside - how sad for this kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if it's even a true live in, or if they'll make you find your own place for your off weeks.

I was wondering the same thing and in that case I definitely wouldn't pursue it.

About the hourly rate- I usually make $20+ an hour but really liked the idea of two weeks off per month. If they are providing live in for the whole month I don't think it would be so bad. It'd also be nice to have another nanny as back up.

One of my main reasons for looking into 24 hour a day jobs is because I find that when I work long days (10+ hours) I don't really do anything else the rest of the day, just go home, eat dinner and go to bed. I figured I might as well be doing that at work and getting paid for it. KWIM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pay rate aside - how sad for this kid.

I totally agree. Very sad situation but I figure this is the situation many celebrities have, right? They have nannies around all the time even when the kid is sleeping or out doing something, just to make sure someone is there to take care of anything the comes up.

[Anonymous]

This family has been looking for a while. The salary is too low, should be at least 65K for a job like this and even then they will have trouble finding people.

Btw, some people love this schedule. One of my friends currently works this and she loves having the time off.