Personal Assistant:
A Job Description
Becoming a Town & Country Personal Assistant
If you have significant professional experience as a Personal Assistant we’d love to hear from you! Town & Country represents the best Personal Assistants in the business. We will take the time to understand you and your unique strengths so we can present you in your best light to our clients.
Town & Country is the Bay Area’s most established and largest staffing agency. Most of our clients are repeat customers or referrals from their family and friends. Because of these long-standing relationships we are able to provide you with access to the best jobs in the Bay Area.
Our clients come to us seeking the best Personal Assistants in the Bay Area, and we deliver. Most of our clients want Personal Assistants with several years of professional, in-home experience. For most assignments, qualified candidates will have been in a similar position for at least two to three years, although we do occasionally have unique positions with varying requirements for experience or education. In any case, it’s best if your experience is recent.
We always contact every previous employer to check your references and make sure that all previous employers are able to provide an excellent reference before recommending you to our clients. Also, we conduct thorough background checks prior to our final placements to make sure that everyone feels safe as they enter into a very important relationship.
Finally, Town & Country is here to make the right match. Every family is different and each Personal Assistant brings a unique combination of strengths, skills and experiences. We’re here to make sure that every match we make is rewarding for both our clients and our Personal Assistants.
Responsibilities
Personal Assistants help employers with complex and fast-paced lives to stay organized and be more productive. Most Personal Assistants have strong computer skills and direct professional experience in a private home. Additional skills vary by candidate and needs of the employer. Personal Assistants may have strengths in financial management of the home, writing, organizing or project management.
The duties of a full-time or part-time Personal Assistant may include:
- Managing the household calendar
- Making travel arrangements
- Booking appointments
- Managing household bill payments
- Organizing the home office and other areas of the home
- Assisting in planning and organization of parties and other events
- Running errands
- Handling special projects – such as helping an employer with a renovations or researching major purchases
Compensation
Compensation for a Personal Assistant is usually based on two factors: the amount of experience the candidate brings to the position and the duties included in the Personal Assistant job description.
Salary
Full-time Personal Assistants typically earn between $60,000 and $100,000 per year. When they are paid on an hourly basis, most personal assistants earn from $30 to $50 per hour.
Benefits
Some families choose to provide benefits to full-time Personal Assistants, which may include:
Paid sick days
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Medical insurance
What candidates, clients and staff are saying
“Town & Country is a great resource for Nannies, Housekeepers, Estate Managers or Personal Assistants to get connected with San Francisco’s finest families. The background requirements are more stringent than elsewhere, but it is definitely worth it. Town & Country works with many families over long periods of time, therefore knowing the business very well.” —Tina, Estate Manager
“After our kids were too old to need a nanny, we realized we still needed help so we decided to hire a personal assistant. I tried to find one on my own but after a nightmare experience I realized I couldn’t do it on my own. We asked our friends how they found their awesome assistant. They said they rely on Town & Country. I called Nancy and she found Alison, who is ideal. Hopefully she’ll stay with us until the end of time. Town & Country is worth every penny.” —Anne, Writer and Mom
“Things are great with Cynthia. Having a personal assistant has made my life feel so much more roomy. I've been more productive at work, and am enjoying my time with my children so much more. My sex life has even improved! ;-) I'm delighted that I used your services. And even more so that Cynthia is so terrific. We're a good match. Thanks again.” —Sandra, Entrepreneur and Mom
“A really great Personal Assistant is a god-send. PA’s can help to manage all the details of your life from bill paying to running errands to planning a dinner party to keeping your home immaculately organized. The time you save can be spent doing what you really want to do. Everyone needs something different from their PA – I have been matching PA’s with employers for many years and know what it takes to find the right one for you.” —Nancy McIlvaine, Town & Country Resources
FAQ
Which positions are similar to a Personal Assistant?
A Personal Assistant may be similar to Household or Estate Manager. These positions tend to have certain responsibilities in common, such as helping to manage household finances and the household calendar. Typically, Household and Estate Managers are focused on keeping a home running smoothly. Personal Assistants are focused on helping their employers with many aspects of their personal lives, performing administrative tasks as well as other household responsibilities.
Does Town & Country represent temporary Personal Assistants for short-term needs?
Yes. Town & County has a qualified pool of temporary Personal Assistants who can work for any amount of time required by an employer – whether it’s a one-time project or an extended period.
How can I apply for a Personal Assistant or Temporary Personal Assistant position?
Please fill out our application for a full time or temporary position.
