Contract and Visa Issues

Why is this important ?

American visa law regulations are complex.
And penalties for me not fulfilling them can go to 5 and 10 years inabilitation from entering the US, something I certainly don't want to happen.

What has to be done ?

There's at least one camp that offers employment without pay for internationals with a tourist visa.
As the British say, that is not "my cup of tea"
I require a legal, regular visa, so I can be paid in a legal, regular manner

Two major options exist:
to be contracted as a skilled technician (an H-1 or H-1B visa)
or to be contracted as a "trainee" (a J-1 visa)

Which one is best ?

• If I really had my choice, it would be a H-1 visa. This is a long term, real "employment" visa. The downside is that the employer must state a believable case that the employee is really extraordinary and needed. That would not be so hard with my skills and background, but puts an additional burden in the paperwork process. And we all want me in fast, don't we ?
  additionally there's a US tax of about US$ 800.-
• A J-1 visa is meant especially for exchange students, or trainee employees.
  It is valid for only 18 months, and from its requirements someone who has one cannot have a top management position.
  Yet since I actually do require further training in the way a US camp is run, it would be legitimate to hire me as a trainee, as long as there's a definite person in a supervisor position above me, and a plan of training is filled. That is a fairly straightforward process, described in detail in the ICCP website Multinational Leadership Training program. The ICCP can do the paperwork for a fee that is described as costing between US$ 485 and US$ 515.-

Who will assume this and other costs ?

• Just as I consider pay negotiable, there are several relocation costs that someone has to assume. As I mention elsewhere, I am more than open to accept a lower salary if the camp assumes as operation costs some of mine. Even from a tax purposes standpoint this makes sense. To bring an employee from overseas is a legitimate operation expense, and thus non taxable. If I am paid that money, it must be taxed as income, and thus I need you to pay me even more.

  Please consider that I have many expenses to consider:
  Passport US$ 120.-
  Visa tax US$ 40-65
  one-way plane ticket US$ 320-700 (depending where to)
  assorted relocation expenses US$ 200.-

Will I last ?

It's a bit early to answer this, but I do expect we will build a mutually satisfying work relationship, and that I will grow old there. I expect to marry in a couple years, and that will mean raising a family. Circumstances will see the details, but I expect that will mean finally settling down, and of everything I know about, what I would prefer would be a lifetime career in Camp Management.

I think our camp could use you, but...

I might want to consider a mid-level management position (Program Director, Activities Coordinator, etc), as a reasonable momentary path towards a directorship. I believe I can be loyal and take the training and experience in view of later serving in a more significant position in this camp, if that is a clearly set purpose of both parts.

What is your camp like ?

If I make it even close to a short list, I would very much appreciate further information on your camp, maybe a brochure, and more details on how this job has been done before, and how you see it ought to be done