International Employees

J1 Work and Travel Employees

All J1 visa hires must be hired at a job fair through CIEE. We only hire under the independent option if you are a return TRMF employee.  Please contact a local agent for more information.

H2B Employees

Interested employees should email Stephanie Tinjum at personnel@medora.com to inquire about H2B visa availability and application process. Applicants will only be considered for H2B visas if they no longer qualify for J1 visas.

Updated May 2010:  No longer accepting resumes for 2010 season.

Frequently Asked Questions from International Employees

Scroll down this page for answers. Also, look at our general Frequently Asked Questions page, which answers questions that both Americans and Internationals want to know.   

• How do I get to Medora?
• How do I arrange to check in for my job and find my housing when I arrive?  
• What are the housing arrangements?
• What are the meal options?
• How do I apply for a Social Security Number?
• How do I get a bank account?
• How can I make international phone calls?
• Is the water in Medora safe to drink?
• Can I switch my job once I arrive?
• How can I get to Dickinson to shop at the mall, Wal-Mart, etc.?
• What taxes do you withhold from my paycheck?
• How can I file to get my taxes back?
• What is other helpful information for new International Employees?

Q: How do I get to Medora?

A: The two closest airports are in Bismarck, ND (100 miles from Medora) and Dickinson, ND (35 miles from Medora).  Other airports in the region are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Billings, Montana.  We prefer as much as possible that you arrange to take a bus from your airport to Medora.  It is also best if you can arrive in Medora on a weekday (preferably not a Saturday or Sunday).  A bus runs through Medora daily and it is called "RimRock Bus Service".  The website is http://www.rimrocktrailways.com/ .  A driver can be arranged to pick you up at the Dickinson or Bismarck airport for a fee if you are unable to reserve a bus ticket.

Q: How do I arrange to check in for my job and find my housing when I arrive?  

A: Please email Steph Tinjum at personnel@medora.com with your travel itinerary beforehand.  If you arrive by bus, we can arrange for someone meet you at the bus stop and bring you to our administrative office at 301 5th Street. If you pay for an airport pick-up, the driver will bring you to our office or give you instructions if you arrive after hours.

Q: What are the housing arrangements?

A: Most employees are assigned to the men's or women's dormitory.  If you are not married, you will be assigned a roommate of the same gender.  (If you are travelling to work in the US with a boyfriend or girlfriend, sorry!  We do not have housing for unmarried couples.)  If our dormitories are full when you arrive you may be assigned housing with a roommate at the Bunkhouse Motel.  All housing costs $3.50/day.  Read our general FAQ page for more housing information.

Q: What are the meal options?

A: Employees have a choice of eating at the Chuck Wagon Buffet, the Maltese Burger Stand, and the Badlands Pizza Parlor. Meals are provided at a cost of $4.50/meal. Deductions for meal charges are taken directly from the employee's paycheck. Employees will only be charged for meals actually purchased with their employee meal card.

Q: How do I apply for a Social Security Number?

A: If you have not already applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) before arriving in the US, you will need to apply for one when you get here. New employees generally need to be in the US at least 10 days before applying for a SSN.  Employees may apply at the Social Security office in Dickinson, North Dakota, located at 265 1st Ave. W.  The office is open Mondays and Tuesdays.  We will arrange to drive you to Dickinson to apply in groups every few weeks. There is generally a 2-3 week wait to receive your SSN in the mail. You will be able to receive your paycheck even if you have not yet received your SSN.

Q: How do I get a bank account? 

A: We want all employees to have a bank account in the United States for direct deposit of your paychecks.  Employees are encouraged to open a bank account at the First State Bank of Golva in Medora, ND.  You can do this as soon as you received your SSN.  Employees wishing to open a bank account with a different bank in Dickinson must arrange this on their own.

Q: How can I make international phone calls?

A: Most international employees purchase calling cards in their country before they arrive in the US.  You can also purchase calling cards at Wal-Mart or other stores in the area. Another suggestion for employees with a laptop is to use Skype online to talk to your family at home.

Q: Is the water in Medora safe to drink?

A:  Yes, water is safe to drink from faucets/taps.

Q: Can I switch my job once I arrive?

A: Generally we do not switch employee job assignments.  Students on J1 visas are hired specifically to cover jobs we have trouble filling with American applicants, so if you were hired to be a housekeeper or dishwasher, that will likely be your job all summer.

Q: How can I get to Dickinson to shop at the mall, Wal-Mart, etc.?

A: We will offer an employee shuttle to Dickinson once a week.  There is a $5 fee to ride the shuttle which will be deducted from your paycheck.  Time and day of shuttle will be posted at the Employee Cafeteria bulletin board in the Chuckwagon Buffet restaurant.

Q: What taxes do you withhold from my paycheck?

A: H2B visa holders are taxed the same as US Citizens.  J1 visa holders are taxed according to the IRS Publication 15 (Circular E). J1 visa holders are not taxed for Medicare or Social Security.  However, an additional amount is added to J1 visa holders' gross wages each payroll in order to calculate the appropriate tax.  The additional amount is then deducted once the tax is calculated - it will not be added to your wages.

Q: How can I file to get my taxes back?

A:  W-2 tax statements will be available to all employees between January 20 and January 31 every year.  Employees will be emailed with the option to access their forms online first.  If the employee does not access their W-2 form within 1 week, the form will be mailed to you by post.

TRMF does not send you a monetary tax return from the taxes you paid in the calendar year; we only prepare a W-2 form stating wages earned and taxes paid.  You are responsible to file for that monetary tax return with both the Federal and the North Dakota State governments. 

Here is a link with information about filing your Federal Return online: http://www.irs.gov/efile/article/0,,id=118508,00.html. 

Here is a link with information about filing your North Dakota State Return online once you have filed your Federal Return:  http://www.nd.gov/tax/indincome/elecfiling/.   

Q: What is other helpful information for new International Employees?

A: Medora is a chance for you to improve English, make new friends, gain great work experience, and learn about the culture of the Midwest region of the US.  Many friendly people are willing to help you as you learn "how things work".  Don't be afraid to ask questions, but also challenge yourself to try to figure some things out on your own.  As the summer goes on, we want you to become more confident and self-sufficient!