Employment Information - Petersburg Facility

Thank you for your interest in Ocean Beauty Seafoods, Inc., Petersburg Facility. We are primarily a salmon canning and freezing operation. The salmon season generally runs from July through approximately the second Sunday of September. We only hire those applicants who can arrive in the second week of July and stay through the salmon canning season. The season usually ends by September 10.

Following is some additional information you may need:

Nature of Work: Seafood processors perform a variety of tasks that can include anything from sorting, gutting and cleaning, filling cans, grading, packing salmon roe, to cleanup. The majority of the work is repetitive and tedious. Working conditions vary with the assigned tasks, but are generally wet, cold, and noisy. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants are requested to advise a prospective employer if an accommodation is necessary to participate in the application process and/or at the work site.

Hours of Work: Hours and days of work are entirely dependent upon the actual size of the fish run, which is virtually impossible to predict. While no assurances are made or implied, in a typical season you will work seven days per week from two to sixteen or more hours per day. There can be two shifts in order to keep the cannery running twenty-four hours a day, so you may be working nights. You must be ready, willing, and able to work all hours assigned.

Wages: The beginning pay rate in $7.15 per hour. All hours worked in excess of eight per day or forty straight time hours in a week are paid at one and one half the straight time rate ($10.72). Paydays are every other Friday at noon (12pm) for the two weeks ending the previous Saturday. Checks will be handed out by your supervisor. No advances are permitted.

Bonus: There will be a bonus of $0.40 per regular hour and $0.60 per overtime hour for all processing workers who complete the entire salmon canning season and leave in good standing (i.e.: not being disruptive and disorderly before, during, or after the season. You must complete the season without excessive absenteeism or tardiness). You must work through the last day of canning to be eligible for the bonus. This will only be paid for time worked during salmon canning season (first day of canning to last day of canning). All departments receive the bonus. This bonus will be mailed to you by the end of October.

Room & Board: We try to accommodate the majority of our workers in our bunkhouse. Returning workers are housed first. New hires are housed on a first come first served basis. Rooms are shared with four to five people. We do not have coed facilities nor do we have special housing for married couples. Some people elect to camp out in tent city. Due to limited space, only people staying in the bunkhouse are eligible to eat at the messhall. There are a few restaurants and a couple of stores in Petersburg. Absolutely no cooking is allowed in the rooms. Room and board charges will be $15.00 per day, whether you choose to eat in the messhall or not. Local sales tax of 6% is added to this charge. Bedding is laundered for you once a week. For those staying in the bunkhouse, your personal laundry is also done for you, on a schedule, once a week.

Room & Board Reimbursement: If you finish the entire salmon canning season in good standing, you will receive full reimbursement of your room and board charges with your bonus.

Transportation: We do not provide or advance transportation to Petersburg. Point of hire is Petersburg, Alaska. There are two ways to get here, by airplane via Alaska Airlines (1-800-426-0333), or by ferry via the Alaska Marine Highway system (1-800-642-0066). The airplane connects through Seattle, Washington, and the ferry departs from both Bellingham, Washington and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. We will pick you up and give you a ride to the plant. You must, however, let us know the time and date of your arrival.

Gear: We encourage you to bring your own boots for comfort if at all possible. We have a supply of raingear & boots available free of charge at the plant. Equipment must be returned before you will receive your final check. You will be charged for them on your final check if the gear is not returned. We also supply work gloves, hair nets and ear plugs at no charge to you.

What to Bring: Clothing should be appropriate for a wet, cold climate. Temperatures generally stay between 55 and 65 degrees, and we get a substantial amount of rain. While we supply blankets for those workers staying in the bunkhouse, many people bring their sleeping bags for additional warmth. We do not supply towels. Bring your own toiletries and wind-up or battery operated alarm clock. These items can generally be purchased locally. Please use duffel bags or other collapsible type of luggage, as there is limited personal storage space. Do no bring jewelry or other valuables. Ocean Beauty will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. You will probably want to bring some spending money as it may be up to three weeks before you get your first paycheck depending on the timing of your arrival.

VERY IMPORTANT: Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

"Our hiring policy is simple: WE RESPECT THE LAW! This company hires lawful workers only U.S. citizens and non-citizens with valid work authorization-without discrimination. Federal immigration law requires all employers to verify both the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. In its effort to meet the law's requirements, this company is participating in the employment verification pilot program established by the INS to aid employers in confirming the employment eligibility of newly-hired non-citizen employee." You must bring your identification with you proving you are eligible to work in the U.S. or you will not be hired.

IF YOU ONLY HAVE A FOREIGN STUDENT AUTHORIZATION TO WORK, WE CAN NOT HIRE YOU. WE ARE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE 90 DAY ADVERTISING/DEARTH OF ELIGIBLE WORKERS CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO HIRE FOREIGN STUDENTS.

Zero Tolerance: Possession of firearms, use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs on company premises (including company bunkhouses & mess hall) is expressly prohibited and constitutes grounds for immediate dismissal.

Safety: Ocean Beauty Seafoods has a policy that anyone causing, involved in or receiving a work related injury, accident or illness will be subject to a mandatory drug test.

Applicants interested in working at our Petersburg facility are encouraged to apply online using our Employment Application. We look forward to hearing from you!

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