Seafood Processing Jobs in Alaska
The
Alaska seafood processing industry provides jobs for more than 30,000 people
each year, not including jobs on fishing vessels.
Most companies look for seafood employees who:
·
will
work the full season or contract period
· are physically able to stand long hours, move heavy weights (on some jobs),
follow directions
and obey safety rules
· can
get along well with other people in remote locations
and cold conditions
WHAT THE WORK
IS LIKE: The
typical environment of a seafood processing plant is wet, cold and smells like
fish. Most entry-level seafood processing jobs involve working very long hours
while standing at a work station or rotating from one work station to another.
Seafood workers generally prefer to work as many
hours as possible to earn more wages. Demonstrating a positive work attitude
may lead to advancement to a different position with better pay or more
responsibility. When a worker who is unprepared for the working conditions
quits, it is costly and disruptive to both the worker and the company.
TYPES OF PROCESSORS: There are two types of seafood processing plants.
One is shore based and the other is a floating processing vessel. These plants
and vessels are located throughout the coastal regions and along the major
river systems of the state and are regulated by the federal government to
provide the safest work environment possible. The largest concentrations occur
in Southeast Alaska, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, Kodiak, the Aleutian
Islands, and Bristol Bay. Within each area, there are urban, semi-remote and
remote sites.
SEAFOOD
PROCESSORS may
do the following:
·
Offload
fish from tender, shovel chipped ice
·
Clean
and pack fish eggs
·
Butcher
frozen, fresh or salted fish for marketing or further processing;
·
Clean
fish; scrape, cut, gut, head, wash, clean stomach linings; fillet;
·
Butcher
live crab, prepare shellfish
·
Remove
foreign matter; record weights; sort; pack in jars, cans,
boxes or containers of crushed ice for fresh pack.
·
Operate
different types of equipment designed package and process seafood products.
ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL DRUGS: Alaska’s seafood industry has a drug-free policy. It
works hard to provide safe work environment. Most companies require drug
testing as part of this effort. If you
use or sell illegal drugs or need alcohol at your work site, these companies
invite you to seek some other kind of occupation – and preferably in some other
state! Smoking is not as tolerated in the US as in some foreign countries and
generally smoking is not permitted in work locations, bunk houses or mess
halls.
PAY: Wages varies from one plant
to another and among locations. The hourly minimum wage in Alaska since January
1, 2003 is $7.15 per hour. Overtime wages of 1.5 times the base salary is given
for work beyond 8 hours per day or 40 hours
per week.
WORK HOURS in seafood processing run to
extremes. You will work when the fish or seafood is available to be processed.
Workers are expected to stay on the job until released. This can mean working
in excess of 16 hours per day, seven days a week during peak season. With
overtime pay, a worker can make good wages. Additional overtime hours may be
given to workers who work hard and excel in their jobs. If workers do not show
up on time or do not work the required hours, they may be dismissed. Work
seasons generally run from the start of
June until mid-September.
HOUSING is generally bunk-bed style
with 2 to 4 people per room. Most housing situations have communal bathrooms.
Work & Travel Abroad, Inc. will arrange your housing situation prior to
your arrival in Alaska. The cost of housing is the responsibility of the
employee, but it may be subsidized by certain employers.
DOCUMENTATION: By law, within three days of
being hired you must furnish documents that prove your identity and show that
you can legally work in the United States.
WHAT ELSE TO BRING: Durable raingear and duct
tape for repair, knee-high rubber rain boots with wool liners, wool or polypropylene socks, bib style waterproof
pants, baseball hat and warm hat with ear covers for cold weather, three sets
of warm work clothes, layered clothing in soft luggage or seabag. Raingear can
be found in Seattle at a reasonable price and purchased after arrival in the US
and prior to deployment. Other necessary supplies include items such as
required medication (two months’ supply), extra eyeglasses or contacts,
towels/washcloths, toilet articles, non-electric alarm clock, and a small
notebook to keep track of your hours and addresses. For legal purposes make
sure to bring your identification and right-to-work in the U.S. documents. You
will also need to bring your return ticket and enough money to live on for a
month. Don’t bring jewelry and other valuables.
Work & Travel Abroad, Inc. wishes you good luck
on your next endeavor!