Processor

Golden Alaska Seafoods, LLC.; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Golden Alaska Seafoods, LLC. seeks production workers for shipboard processing duties aboard the vessel. You will be involved in offloading, sorting, cleaning, packing and cold storage, with emphasis on manual handling and standing for long periods.

Expect long shifts, including 12–16 hours daily, 7 days a week during peak seasons, in a challenging, noisy, and tightly scheduled work environment. Applicants must be physically fit to endure the demanding conditions at sea.

Qualifications

• Must be physically fit for demanding, long hours.
• Ability to work in cold, wet conditions.
• Willingness to work 6–7 days a week during peak season.

Responsibilities

• Manual handling of fish
• Standing for long periods of time
• Frequent bending and stooping
• Lifting up to 20 pounds waist to shoulder level
• Carrying/lifting up to 60 pounds occasionally
• Twisting frequently
• Working in often cold and wet conditions
• Working in close proximity of processing machinery
• Long hours: 12–16 hours a day, 7 days a week

Skills

Manual handling

Stamina

Standing long hours

Lifting up to 60 lbs

Cold & wet conditions

Long shifts

Job description

A physical demanding position where you will be manually handling the fish as well as helping in different aspects of the processing of the products, from when they get delivered to us by our catcher boats until they are shipped to our customers. Production workers are involved in, but not limited to, the offloading, sorting, cleaning, inspecting, packing, or cold storage of the products.

For most people, living and working aboard a processing ship is very different from any other situation you will likely encounter and brings challenges on a daily basis. At the height of A Season and B Season it takes the full efforts and resources of over 130 people to keep up with the steady supply of incoming fish and to maintain 24-hour production.

This means demanding, long hours for everyone, constant noise, cramped quarters with little or no privacy, fatigue, physical discomfort and boredom. Don't come aboard the vessel with adventurous notions of life at sea. In reality, life at sea is often dull and uncomfortable. It certainly is not an experience for everyone.

WHAT KIND OF WORK WILL I BE DOING?

Whether involved in the offloading, sorting, cleaning, packing or cold storage areas of the process, a production worker will be subject to, but not limited to, all or any combination of the following physical requirements and essential functions. You must be in physically fit and capable of all of the following to work on the Golden Alaska.

JOB DESCRIPTION/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manual handling of fish
• Standing for long periods of time
• Frequent bending and stooping
• Lifting up to 20 pounds waist to shoulder level
• Carrying/lifting up to 60 pounds occasionally
• Twisting frequently
• Working in often cold and wet conditions
• Working in close proximity of processing machinery
• Long hours; usually 12 to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NATURE OF THE WORK

Our function as a processor is to process, freeze, case and ship product sent to us by our catcher boats. As a member of the processing crew, your job will be to assist in this process. You must be able to perform all of the essential functions of your position with or without reasonable accommodation. There are long periods with no rest or downtime.

TYPICAL WORK DAY

The schedule will generally depend on the season and how much fish the factory has to process. You could be working 6 hours on - 6 hours off or 12 hours on, 12 hours off. Kick shifts, or working extra hours on top of your shift, will occur when the factory needs more people due to an excess of fish. Occasionally shifts will be a straight 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may occupy the same position on the line for the entire shift, or you may be given another duty every few hours.

The work is monotonous and tiring. Boredom is part of the job, but you must always remain alert.

After your shift you may or may not have time to socialize or relax, therefore it is suggested that you make sleep your number one priority until you are comfortable with the work schedule. When your shift comes up again you will be expected to show up on time and be ready to work. Many people find it hard adapting to such a structured routine while others take to it readily. Your ability to adapt to these daily routines will have a big affect on your overall attitude towards the operation and you co-workers.

Employees who possess a high degree of tolerance, trustworthiness, and flexibility have the best advantage for completing a contract, thus making more money.

It is important to realize your limitations and tolerances before you sign a contact.

HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I EXPECT TO MAKE

No one is able to predict how prosperous a season will be, and your paycheck directly depends on the quantity and quality of the product produced along with the market sales. The work has many uncertainties and no guarantees. There are many variables determining how much you can earn in a season such as weather, vessel location, and overall quotas for the fishery as well as your ability to complete your contract.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING WITH ME?

This is a suggested list of basic necessities for life aboard the Golden Alaska; if you need to replace items from the sea store aboard the ship, they can be purchased through a payroll deduction. It is important to advise you that personal storage space is very limited. Please take only those items suggested here until you have become familiar with the vessel and the necessities of shipboard living.

• 2 PIECES OF ID (see list of acceptable forms of ID)
• PACK IN A SOFT SIDE SPORT TYPE BAG
• SLEEPING BAG AND PILLOW
• YOUR OWN PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS (SOAP, RAZOR, SHAMPOO, TOOTHPASTE AND BRUSH, WASH CLOTHS, TOWELS)
• THONGS FOR THE SHOWER
• COMFORTABLE SHOES OR SLIPPERS WITH TREAD FOR WEARING DURING NON- WORK TIMES
• ANY NEEDED PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
• WARM COAT, HAT AND GLOVES
• RAINGEAR AND XTRA TUFF RUBBER BOOTS

The object to packing for this kind of work is to dress in layers. Layering is the most comfortable and easiest way to dress when you expect varying and colder conditions. You can add or take away a layer on breaks. A light layer of long underwear under sweat pants and sweatshirts is ideal. Batteries, stamps and film are items that sell quickly in the sea store so bring a supply of your own. Books, cards, CDs and small games are great to have in off time. Personal items should be labeled with your name. A personal e-mail account is available to every employee and low cost phone cards are sold in the sea store.

We are not responsible for lost or stolen articles and recommend that you do not bring valuables with you aboard the vessel.

Golden Alaska Seafoods is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a DRUG FREE company.