Work Available at a Lodge/ Hotel in Patagonia

[georgie]

Hi, I run a lodge on a working horse and cattle ranch (estancia) in Patagonia near San Martin de los Andes. We have a full season coming up of tourists visiting from all over the world.

I am looking to fill a couple of positions there for the summer season (start date between November & December 2011) to April 2012. I know all of you are BA lovers, but I still thought this would be a good place to post. Alternatively, if you have an Argentine friend looking for work, please send them this.

I can only accept people on the property who have permission to work in Argentina. That being said, my company is eligible to apply for a work visa for you, that you can collect right here in Argentina, but there is a cost of $1500 USD.

I have three positions open. All include room and board and a monthly wage. We are a happy, friendly, relaxed place. You would have time off to explore the local area. You can learn/ improve your Spanish as there are Argentine staff. If you send me your CV I can send you more detailed info. about the place.
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[FONT=&quot]Requirements:[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
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[FONT=&quot]Strong social skills, attention to detail, and proper etiquette are essential. Experience is preferred but we will train individuals who are organized, detail oriented, and have the right attitude.
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[FONT=&quot]Guest Relations Coordinator - one position
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[FONT=&quot]Respond to inquiries from potential guests about our hotel over phone and e-mail. Assist guests in transit with any issues regarding their arrival in Patagonia.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Be responsible for airport pick ups and drop offs, greeting and registering guests, providing outstanding guest service during their stay, and settling the guest’s account when they leave. Escort new guests on a tour of the property.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Be available to answer any guest inquires regarding the city, events, and attractions. Help guests sign up for activities in the area.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Help guests access the amenities of the lodge such as our sauna etc. Take guests on guided hikes around the property or on complimentary town trips/ visits to local attractions.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Act as the breakfast attendant – providing a warm, welcoming presence at the start of every day. Help set up the daily complimentary breakfast and cleaning up after breakfast. Stop and talk with each guest as they come down for breakfast and establish their routine for the day. Sign them up for lunch and dinner reservations.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Check on guest rooms after housekeeping services and assist the lodge manager with guest amenities in the rooms.[/FONT]

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[FONT=&quot]Host activities/ meals at the lodge when the hostess is off duty such as our complimentary evening reception.
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[FONT=&quot]Assist other staff members as needed.[/FONT]

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Housekeeping & waitstaff (2 positions)


[FONT=&quot]Workers in this position will rotate between housekeeping and serving. This position also includes some light maintenance.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Housekeeping Responsibilities include:[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Cleaning bathrooms and changing towels.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Changing and making beds.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sweeping and dusting the rooms and Lodge.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Washing floors, counters, and windows.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Washing, ironing and preparing the sheets, tablecloths, napkins, and towels.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sweeping and washing decks, and porches.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Picking up trash and cleaning outside areas.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Serving responsibilities include:[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Assisting the cook with food prep.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Setting up the dining room.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Serving meal to our guests.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cleaning up both the dining room and kitchen.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Washing dishes, pots, pans, and floor.[/FONT]

 

[Stafford]

That being said, my company is eligible to apply for a work visa for you, that you can collect right here in Argentina, but there is a cost of $1500 USD.

Just a word to the wise to fellow expats considering this seriously. Normally companies who benefit by hiring foreigners pay for the process of getting them their work visas. Also, $1,500 USD is extremely high. It would likely take you a couple months working on his farm just to recoup that investment.

Not saying OP is dishonest or trying to rip people off. Just saying it raises a red flag to someone who has lived here for four years.

All I am saying is that from my first hand experience and that of all my friends working down here, I have never heard of a company not picking up the cost of the visa through their lawyers / escribanos. And I know it does not cost these companies anything close to $1,500 US.

 

[PhilipDT]

Sounds eerily like how modern slavery starts. Not meaning to imply that is at all what is going on here.

 

[MariaFernandez]

Georgie,

Could you please provide me with your contact information?

THanks,

María.

 

[jez]

Housekeeping & waitstaff (2 positions)

Screw the the people losing their jobs due to the economic crisis in Bariloche and employ foreigners....oh yes you can make money off the work visa application....

 

[georgie]

Hi - I just want to respond to the comments. I had just wanted to make clear in my post that the positions were open to only people with permission to work. But then I got many inquiries about whether I could help someone get a visa when I posted the job in other areas. Since one of my managers is from the UK, I knew the process and what it costs me ($1500 and it doesn't go to me it goes directly to the company that processes the paperwork I can give you their number if you don't believe me). I was happy to pay for a visa for someone working for me at that high level, but not OK with paying for a job category such as these when I have more than enough people with valid work permits applying. If you are eligible for a job where the company pays for your relocation and a visa I think that is wonderful. You are very lucky. But I know that there are many people here on tourist visas that would like the opportunity to live and work in Patagonia, gain experience in a certain field, and have an income that would allow them to do some traveling. When I am faced with issues such as these (when I receive a large amount of inquiries from people without visas begging me for a job) it makes sense to me to just give them the straight information upfront and place the decision about their lives in their hands. I also just really wanted to cut down on the e-mails I had to reply to saying no over and over again that I couldn't help people get a visa.

I didn't know there were such cynics out there and I am happy to pull my posting from this forum if that is what people want. Of course I hire local people first. Of course I pay attention to a CV or an inquiry to see if the person has been living and working in one of the hardest hit areas to see if I can help them relocate and have work this summer. But as a person who came to visit Argentina and fell in love with the land and it's people and one person in particular, I also have an open heart to fellow travelers.

BTW we are all effected by the ash down here, we are all hurting and no one is winning or taking advantage, rather we are pulling together during a difficult time. I chose to keep the lodge open, pay wages, buy from local companies and take the hit to my bottom line this year, believing that this is the way to best sustain us in the long term. If you want to support the folks in Bariloche, it would be by coming down here and staying in a hotel, using a local guide or company etc etc not by making off hand comments in a forum.

Thanks.

 

[ali_ferny]

Hi Georgie, are you still looking for workers?

 

[clooge]

yes, I am interested (experienced in hospitality trade), are you still hiring?

 

[martote]

count on me!
still available?
cheers