work visa!

Hi there,

I have finally (after years of effort) been offered a contract to teach Business English in Italy with English First. They are a British school with branches all over the world. I am American.

They have asked for me to arrange for my own visa which entails the following:
-Go to Italy and apply for work permit and "nulla osta" with the Questura. Wait to receive nulla osta.
-Return to California and apply for the work visa (with 'nulla osta' in hand)and await the issuing of my Visa
-Fly back to Italy for my position.

#1 - Is this accurate? Is there ANY alternative to this?
#2 - If I WERE able to talk my future employer into arranging the Visa for me, what would that require them to do? What would the cost be? I'd like to know and have an educated proposition for them before I talk to them about it.

I have emailed the Questura and of course ...they won't reply to me:(

I am desparate...and my dream of living and working in italy is right at my finger tips!

FYI: I speak italian at an advanced level, studied there years ago and have traveled quite a bit there so I am very familiar with the culture.

Thank you for any advice you can offer!!
Audrey