Seward Fisheries Thank you for your interest in Seward Fisheries. The purpose of this site is to provide you with information about the company, and outlines the procedure to follow to acquire a job here. Seward is 120 miles south of Alaska's biggest city, Anchorage. Established in 1965, Seward Fisheries became solely owned by Icicle Seafoods in 1978. Icicle has shore plants in Seward, Petersburg, Larsen Bay and Egegik; a plant in Bellingham; and four floating processors. We process black cod, halibut, and salmon. Black cod and halibut, IFQ (Individual Fishing Quota) seasons, will start March 8th and end when the quota is filled, or by November 15th. The season usually starts out slow and builds. We may need people as the season picks up, so if you are interested in working in April or May you should indicate that on your application. If you are planning on traveling to Seward we encourage you to call first so we can inform you of the current work status and bunkhouse availability. The salmon season will begin around the first of June and will continue through until the end of August. During salmon season we have approximately 300 people working. We can salmon in our cannery and freeze whole salmon in the cold storage, fresh/frozen areas. If you are hired, the work area you are assigned will depend upon our needs.

Hiring Procedure

WE DO NOT GUARANTEE ANY WORK!!! This is a gamble that everyone takes when seeking employment in the seafood industry. There are many fisheries in Alaska so we recommend that you know of a few different possible fisheries to apply to in case of no work. You can apply on line or request an application to be mailed to you. Your work history, references, and work ethics are important hiring considerations. There is no way to secure a position over the phone, although we will schedule a phone interview after receiving your application. If you are hired, we will ask you for a copy of your travel arrangements, and schedule you for an orientation before you make the trip to Seward.

Pay

Starting pay for processors is $7.15 per hour. Pay increases are based on the accumulation for hours as follows:

Accumulated Hours Regular Hourly Rate
0 - 600 7.15
601 - 1200 7.50
1201 - 1800 8.00
1801 - 3600 8.70
3601 - and up 10.00

As long as you receive a layoff in good standing you will retain your hours and pay rate for the following year if you decide to return. We encourage people to return.

Overtime

One and one-half times the regular rate is paid for any hours worked in excess of eight hours a day. Overtime is also paid for any hours worked in excess of 40 straight hours per week.

Accommodations

We have a bunkhouse that houses 50 employees at a daily cost of $5.00 plus tax. A refundable key deposit of $30.00 will be deducted from your first check. Returning employees receive first preference. You may put your name on the bunkhouse waiting list at the time of hire. The bunkhouse has showers, laundry and a recreation room with a DVD/VHS and satellite TV. We also have our Tent City campground with laundry facilities, showers, restrooms, and canvas tents. A damage deposit will be required if the tents are damaged or left in an unsuitable condition. Located in the plant within walking distance are more employee showers and lockers. Locks and lockers are provided for storing gear. We will be serving one meal a day Monday through Friday from April through May for those employees that are currently working. During our traditional salmon season (June, July and August) we will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Lunch is free and breakfast and dinner each costs $3.50 per meal and it is your choice to eat that meal or not. ONLY SFI EMPLOYEES MAY USE THESE FACILITIES.

Gear and Documents

Rain gear, gloves, and boots are provided to employees at no cost. We also provide ear protection and any other required safety gear. It is recommended that you bring several changes of clothing and lots of warm socks. You will also need a hat or bandanna for work. A battery powered alarm clock is essential. If you are going to camp in our tent city, you will need a sleeping bag. Prepare for a cool, damp climate.

We Only Hire Workers that are Legally Documented to Work in the US

As the final step in the hiring process, applicants must provide us with documentation that verifies eligibility to work in the United States and their identity. For a complete list of acceptable documents, please refer to Form I-9 (Requires Adobe Reader). You may also obtain a copy of this form at your local state employment office. At the time of orientation, these documents must be furnished and Form I-9 must be completed. The documents you provide must be the original document or a certified copy. They must be valid. Since we must physically examine your documents, if you cannot provide legally acceptable documentation, we cannot hire you!

When hired, an applicant may provide a single document which verifies both employment eligibility and identity. See LIST A on Form I-9. Otherwise, two documents must be provided. One document must verify identity. See LIST B. The other document must verify employment eligibility. See LIST C.

LIST A: Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Eligibility

  • U.S. Passport (unexpired or expired)
  • Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
  • An Unexpired foreign passport, with temporary I-551 stamp
  • An unexpired Employment Authorization Document that contains a photograph (Form I-766, I-688, I-688A, I-688B)
  • An unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired Arrival Departure Record, Form I-94, bearing the same name as the passport and containing an endorsement of the alien’s nonimmigrant status, if that status authorizes the alien to work for the employer

If you don'LIST B: Documents that Establish Identity

  • Driver's license or ID card issued by a state or outlying possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address
  • ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address
  • School ID card with a photograph
  • Voter's registration card
  • U.S. Military card or draft record
  • Military dependent's ID card
  • U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
  • Native American tribal document

For persons under age 18 who are unable to present a document listed above: School record or report card; Clinic, doctor or hospital record; Day-care or nursery school record.

LIST C: Documents that Establish Employment Eligibility

  • U.S. social security card issued by the Social Security Administration (other than a card stating it is not valid for employment)
  • Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545 or Form DS-1350)
  • Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying possession of the United States bearing an official seal
  • Native American tribal document
  • U.S. Citizen ID Card (INS Form I-197)
  • ID Card for use of Resident Citizen in the United States (INS Form I-179)
  • Unexpired employment authorization document issued by the DHS (other than those listed under List A)

The Work

New employees start out on the slime line. While there is an art to sliming, it involves doing the same thing over and over for long periods of time. When the season is going well people work seven days a week, twelve to sixteen hours a day.

What makes it all worthwhile is the money you put in the bank and the people you work with. It's a team effort at Seward Fisheries. Everyone contributes to producing a quality product, at a low cost in a safe and supportive work environment.

The actual amount of hours a person works during salmon season depends upon where they work, how well the fishermen do, the weather, the market, and how many salmon return to spawn. There is no guarantee on how much you will make; there are too many variables.

One way to limit the effect of these variables is to work for an established company like Icicle Seafoods, Inc. that has good relations with fishermen and the resources to take advantage of any opportunities that develop for a good season.

Transportation

Icicle does not pay transportation costs. Seward Bus Lines leaves Anchorage daily at 2:30 pm and arrives in Seward at 5:30 pm. The cost for a one-way ticket to or from Seward is $50.00. Call to confirm. Their Seward phone number is (907) 224 - 3608. Their Anchorage location is at 3335 Suite B, Fairbanks Street, phone (907) 563 - 0800

If you have any questions please feel free to write or call:
Email: PersonnelSeward@IcicleSeafoods.com
Personnel Department
P.O. BOX 8
Seward, AK 99664
(907) 224 - 3381