Assistant Cook 2026

Job Description

Job Description

Previous at-sea fish processor experience and current Alaska Food Worker card required.

Excellence. Innovation. Integrity. Passion.

General Description:
Assistant cooks work half of their shift as a fish processor and the other half assisting the cook with galley responsibilities. Galley responsibilities are assigned by the cook and may include meal and/or snack preparation, prep cook, cleaning, housekeeping and laundry duties for up to 38 crewmembers. Personal hygiene, food handling safety, and sanitation regulations in food preparation, service and storage must be followed. While working in the factory, assistant cooks may move raw fish through the various factory stations using machinery and conveyors, sort, cut fish, remove guts, pack fish into pans, place pans in and remove pans from freezers, remove blocks of frozen fish from pans, bag the blocks, and stack bagged fish in the vessel’s freezer hold.  Assistant cooks may also participate in the offload by stacking bags of frozen fish onto cargo nets for removal from the vessel, and backload supplies needed for the next fishing trip; this process may last longer than the regular 16.5 hours per day work schedule. Assistant cooks may also assist in cleaning and organizing the factory and other areas of the vessel, and perform other duties as directed. Assistant cooks may work in many areas of the vessel including the galley, factory, freezer hold, deck, or on adjoining docks or vessels during offload or backload. 

Essential Duties:
Assistant Cooks must be able to:

• As directed by the Cook, prepare and assist in preparation of foodstuffs in sufficient quantities according to number of persons to be served.
• Assist Cook to ensure meals and snacks are served on time according to crew schedules.
• Maintain a clean working environment in accordance with food safety regulations.
• Regularly clean and sanitize all food preparation, storage and serving areas.
• Enforce personal hygiene in accordance with food handling regulations.
• Ensure housekeeping duties are performed as directed, including laundry and cleaning of bathrooms.

Work Schedule:

• Typical work hours are 16.5 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Work hours may be extended during offload or backload which may result in uneven shifts and sleep patterns.
• Breaks are determined by the business needs of the fish processing plant. Unplanned, unscheduled breaks are prohibited except in health or safety related incidents.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, employees and the vessel will be operating in extremely remote and austere locations; often days away from land or dock facilities.
• While performing the duties of this job, employees are expected to wear protective clothing and equipment such as rain gear (pants and sleeves), gloves, rubber boots, noise suppression devices, and use as required: hardhat, safety goggles, fire extinguisher, respirator, life preserver and survival suit.
• Employees will be exposed to various species of fish; wet, humid and freezing conditions; fish processing equipment such as headers, movable and stationary conveyor systems, knives, hoists, pressure washers, cleaning chemicals, shovels, buckets, baskets and aluminum pans. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Employees work onboard a vessel in the ocean which by nature produces varying degrees of motion in the factory.

Requirements

Education, Experience:

• Previous at-sea fish processor experience required
• Current Alaska Food Worker card is required.
• ServeSafe certification is desired.
• Earned High School Diploma or GED. Education verification will be required prior to hire.
• 24 months or more of relevant verifiable work experience in the last 4 years. Work history must be provided during the application process. No exceptions.

Physical Demands:

All employees must be able to:

• Board and exit the vessel by gangplank or Jacob’s ladder without assistance.
• Board or exit a skiff without assistance in all weather conditions.
• Ascend and descend steep stairways and ladders in all temperatures.
• Work at least 16 ½ hours per day, 7 days per week for the duration of the contract.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time.
• Stand and walk; lift weights up to and over 50 pounds for full range from floor to above their head repeatedly.
• Use fingers, hands and arms to push, pull and reach.
• Bend and twist.
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Work long hours in all kinds of weather.
• Work in a cold and wet environment.
• Don life jacket, life vest and/or survival suit without assistance.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment and random drug tests per USCG regulations.
• This job is designated by O’Hara Corporation to be Safety Sensitive, and a pre-employment drug screen is part of the hiring process.

Mental Activities:

All employees must be able to:

• Ability to understand and have the ability to communicate in English for emergency, safety, and training purposes is required.
• Use interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Live and work with others in close quarters.
• Be away from medical care and supervision for 3+ months at a time.
• Share crew quarters, bathroom facilities, and common dining areas with other crew members.
• Discern between various shades of color for identifying and sorting various fish species as well as for safety signs, alarms, and warnings.

Benefits

Compensation

• Crew-share compensation
• Average of $285 - $385 per day

Benefits

• Medical insurance is offered to employees and qualified dependents, if elected.
• 401(k) with employer match after one year of employment, if elected.
• Meals, snacks, and beverages provided including diverse cuisine options while at sea. (Additional at-sea store available for specialty items to purchase and have deducted from paycheck)
• O’Hara will book and pre-pay flight and lodging from Point of Hire- Seattle, WA to Dutch Harbor, AK.

O’Hara Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and
prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national
origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any
other characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion,
termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.