MadRad

Hi, newbie here, please be gentle!

Has anyone got any recommendations on where to start searching for jobs in Colorado? Expecting to be coming from the UK on L2 visa next year, are there any job that are off-limits? Before we definitely commit, I need to know what kind of work I can do.

The situation is this:

Got made redundant last year after a number of years working in the banking industry. Recently started working in local government, which is interesting, but I have just been offered an interview for my dream job, which is a civvy role in the emergency services. I'm jumping the gun a bit here, but if I get it, I'd be there for 10 months to a year before moving. Does anyone know if you can do this type of work in the US, or do you have to be a US citizen? Would I be better sticking with local government and would I be able to get similar sorts of roles in the US. My problem is that between the redundancy and a subsequent illness, my CV is gonna look a bit patchy for a couple of years.

I am a graduate, and I absolutely don't want to back to the financial sector, can anyone give me some pointers on where to get an idea of what I can do over there?

Thanks in advance!

meauxna

There are no visa/immigration restrictions for your employment; as an L-2 spouse you can work wherever you can get hired (L-2 children can't work).

I'm not sure exactly what your job is, but you'd need to look up each municipality from the sounds of it, and find out what their requirements are. Probably not 'citizen only' but possibly 'permanent resident only'. PRs have 'green cards'.
Have you googled your job title for the city you're headed toward?

scrubbedexpat099

Gouvernment jobs are highly sort after and are in short supply.

Plus as most places the State has a budgetry crisis.

There was a guy in Boulder who whent from financial services to respond to 911 calls. He was interviewed non the radio.

Dan725

I'd say the same; at the very minimum most Govt jobs will require a GC, with the vast majority even citizenship. Actually, as I recall, the USCIS immigration guides actually lists one of the benefits of applying for US Citizenship (when eligible) is "You can apply for Govt jobs".

AdobePinon

I think that they are referring to federal government when they say that. Local governments probably vary a lot more in their requirements.

MadRad

Thanks people for the replies. Unfortunately I have to be deliberately vague at present as I can't really tell my current employer or potential future employer in the UK that I may not be with them for very long!

It wouldn't be federal government level work I'd be after, more like work in something equivalent ot a UK local authority/council, or civvy emergency service work. I'm just not sure whether I should stick with my current job and have a little bit of continuity till we move, or jump to the dream job if I get it!

We're intending to apply for green cards as soon as possible, but I know it can take years, and I do want to work before then!

Dan725

Ah yes, good point.

Bob

But many still require USC or LPR at the very least...

AdobePinon

'Many' being the key word.

scrubbedexpat099

Where in CO are you moving to?

Remember CO is bigger than the UK.

MadRad

Somewhere in the Colorado Springs/Denver/Fort Collins corridor. Precise location is still under negotiation with my partner's employer.

Incidentally, I'll have an L2 visa. I was told that I have to apply for an EAD before I can work. Does anyone know if that's correct, and if so, how long it takes to get it?

scrubbedexpat099

That is a bit like saying that you would be in the London to Birmingham corridor.

I would SERIOUSLY suggest you do not restrict yourself to local government jobs.

rebs

Yes, that's correct. You can apply as soon as you are here in the US and it takes approx 90 days to come through.

Bob

and usually has to be renewed each year though it can be had for 2 year stretches...not exactly cheap so worth seeing if the employer will stump for it too...

rebs

Good point! My husband's employer pays for all visa related costs which includes EAD for myself.