Us Embassy Salaries Below Legal Minimum In The Us?

[trennod]

For 3k neto a month they would want to have some pretty darn good benefits to make up the shortfall. Like throwing in a car or an apartment.

 

[sesamosinsal]

An American friend tried repeatedly to get a job at the US embassy but was never even offered an interview. He insists they want Argentines. Judging by a lot of the emails that go out and the people who answer the phone, this is the case.

Most U.S. citizens working at a U.S. Embassy are diplomats or family members of diplomats. Some of these positions might be given to family members first because they have priority.

However, a lot of these positions have very strict requirements. For example, the Cultural Affairs Specialist position (available now) requires "native" proficiency in Spanish, as well as extensive knowledge about Argentine culture. In other words, an American would most likely not qualify for this position. I know they exist, but I've not met a single American here that has native-like proficiency in Spanish.

Many other positions have very similar requirements.

If you're an American and you want to work at an embassy, join the foreign service -- easier said than done.

 

[sergio]

One thing I have never understood is why they send out emails that were written by a non native English speaker. It is sometimes obvious - or why there are recordings by someone who has a Spanish speaker's accent. You'd think they could get a native speaker to review the email and make the phone recording. I can't imagine an Argentine embassy asking non native Spanish speakers to do these things - but that seems to be the way of the US State Dept. I remember some years ago when you entered the US consular section in BA the walls were covered with photos of old Buenos Aires. An Argentine friend couldn't understand why they didn't have photos of important sites in the US to help tourism - national parks etc but no, they had old photos of Buenos Aires! He couldn't believe it.

 

[Rich One]

One thing I have never understood is why they send out emails that were written by a non native English speaker. It is sometimes obvious - or why there are recordings by someone who has a Spanish speaker's accent. You'd think they could get a native speaker to review the email and make the phone recording. I can't imagine an Argentine embassy asking non native Spanish speakers to do these things - but that seems to be the way of the US State Dept. I remember some years ago when you entered the US consular section in BA the walls were covered with photos of old Buenos Aires. An Argentine friend couldn't understand why they didn't have photos of important sites in the US to help tourism - national parks etc but no, they had old photos of Buenos Aires! He couldn't believe it.

To evaluate the decision of hiring people with shaky English one would have to know the ratio of inquiries from US expats to Spanish speaking locals. My guess, off the cuff, 10:1 or more for Spanish calls.. You make the call!

As far as Tourism and pictures etc, they intend to develop Empathy.... Is a way of saying "We Love You"i.

 

[nikad]

This was a big disappointment to me. I would have never thought they payed such low salaries, and really the ordinarily residents and non ordinarily residents its just ridiculous. Better put there: if you are a relative to one of the diplomats or you are applying from abroad you make dollars, now if you are local or US expat with no ties to diplomats forget it. I refuse to think they are paying such low salaries, there has to be other benefits they are not mentioning (?) The pay in dollars vs the pay in pesos is 400% more! I find it almost insulting.

 

[Rich One]

Benefits!!! The purchase/ resale of the Commissary products for friends relatives et. al.????

 

[sesamosinsal]

Benefits!!! The purchase/ resale of the Commissary products for friends relatives et. al.????

This is by far the best benefit.