Living on a private island may appear to be a lifestyle reserved solely for the wealthy and famous, but it is possible to work as an island caretaker who does just that. The island caretaker, on the other hand, will have a lot of responsibilities, and the job will not be easy. The job can also be lonely, as the private island can be a lonely place when no one else is there. The general responsibilities of the caretaker revolve around the upkeep of the grounds as well as any dwellings or structures that may be constructed in the area. He or she will also have to prepare the island for the arrival of the owner.
The island caretaker is likely to require a wide range of skills, from carpentry and plumbing to electrical knowledge and gardening and landscaping abilities. It will be up to the caretaker to learn as much as possible about the island’s environment in order to make informed gardening decisions. Any structures built on the island will need to be properly maintained, which could include securing windows and doors before a storm, repairing any damaged or malfunctioning components within the home, or even performing general repairs during the structure’s normal life. Because it is often difficult to reach stores or other retail establishments on the mainland, the island caretaker will have to do all of this with limited resources.
The island caretaker will generally tend to whatever needs the owners require while the owner is present, in addition to the normal duties the caretaker would perform if he or she were alone on the island. This could include tending to watercraft, maintaining all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), managing various pieces of equipment or entertainment items as requested by the owner, and other duties unique to each island or owner. If an emergency occurs on the island, the caretaker may be required to have first-aid and CPR training, especially if visitors are present.
The island caretaker will need to enjoy working outside, as many of the duties will require the caretaker to spend much of the day in the hot sun. He or she will most likely live in a caretaker’s house or cabin, which may be small and sparsely furnished; pay for the job can vary significantly, though many caretakers do not earn much money.