Conditions can be grueling, and the hours are long. But this one-of-a-kind experience brings rewards that last a lifetime. Advancement opportunities can happen rapidly for those individuals who show willingness and the initiative to excel.
Support the helm and drive operational excellence as the Mate of a premier fishing vessel. We are looking for a highly organized leader capable of mastering complex navigation and gear hauling while maintaining the gold standard for vessel logs, compliance, and international reporting.
Take full ownership of the engine room on a high-production vessel. If you have a 500-ton Uninspected Fishing license and a proactive approach to troubleshooting, refueling, and precision logging, we want your expertise to ensure our fleet remains world-class and mission-ready.
Step into a high-impact mechanical role where your troubleshooting and fabrication skills keep a top-tier fleet moving. We are looking for a disciplined Assistant Engineer to support the Chief in maintaining a flawless engine room and a high-production factory environment.
Take command of the galley on an elite vessel where your culinary skills and organizational expertise set the tone for the entire trip. From strategic inventory management and MARPOL compliance to crafting exceptional menus, you’ll ensure our crew is well-fed and the vessel is ship-shape.
Become the backbone of our deck operations. If you have the leadership to manage eight deckhands and the technical skill to operate cranes and maintain high-value fishing gear, we want you leading the charge on our elite vessel.
You must submit an application to be considered for employment. After submitting your application, you can expect to be contacted by the Human Resources department via phone or email.
For the best chance at joining the Alaskan Leader team, please educate yourself on the job and industry and discuss your decision with close family and friends. Be sure you are mentally, emotionally and physically prepared for this job before leaving for Alaska.
Some positions require experience and/or license. Please see individual job descriptions for more information.
Once you submit an application online you can expect to be contacted by a company representative regarding your application status. They will also let you know whether there are any further pre-employment steps you’ll need to take.
Alaskan Leader Fisheries operates vessels 12 months a year and frequently hires new crew. Job availability is based on each vessel’s staffing needs and the fishing schedule. Typically, each of the four vessels comes into port about every 30 days for a crew change and strive to hire at least one new crew member at each crew change.
Each vessel has a Captain, Mate, Chief Engineer and Engineer’s Assistant, Cook, Steward, and roughly 18 crew members who work either on deck, on the gear line or in the factory. You can visit our job descriptions for more details about each position.
All new crew are hired as general crew members and the captain will assign you a specific department based on the spots available for entry-level crewmen (deck, gear, factory, or steward) upon arrival to the vessel. The opportunity to cross-train is always there with the right performance, initiative and length of employment.
No. Part of the beauty of this job is that you can live anywhere you’d like and still work in Alaska on our vessels. You will need authorization to work in the United States and will need to fly out from a U.S. airport
Our vessels operate in Alaskan waters - the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska.
Our primary target catch is Pacific Cod.
You will be flown to the port where the vessel is docked. Our vessels primarily crew up in Dutch Harbor, Alaska. We occasionally crew our vessels in Seattle, WA and Kodiak, AK. A staffing coordinator will schedule you a flight from a U.S. airport of your choice and will provide you with an itinerary via email.
Employee flights are always scheduled* and purchased by the company. Depending on how many consecutive trips worked on the vessel before returning home will determine who is responsible for the flight costs.
*Flights are scheduled between the US airport of your choice and the port where the vessel is currently docked.
All crew live and work in clean, shared spaces. The vessels are partially carpeted inside, with designated smoking areas, shared bathroom and shared shower facilities. Meals are served in the galley using steam tables and are self-serve. State rooms have bunk beds, individual cubbies for belongings, and sleep 4-6 crew members per room. Your room/bed will be assigned to you upon arrival.
You should plan to be away from home for at least 90 days at a time. Crew members are encouraged to work a rotation schedule of two consecutive fishing trips on the vessel and one to two trips at home resting.
We operate year round, and therefore don’t typically hire seasonal or part time employees.
Toiletries and medications to last 90 days, extra glasses or contact lens supplies if needed, government-issued identification to complete your employment forms, and 7-10 days’ worth of clothes packed in a duffle bag. A complete list of suggested items will be provided to you upon hire.
You must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another TSA-approved form of identification to fly within the United States. Please ensure your identification is valid before accepting employment. Applicants who do not have an acceptable form of identification may experience delays or be unable to travel as required for the position.
You will be taken to Three Bears Alaska (ship supply store) in Dutch Harbor, Alaska to purchase your rain gear, boots and related fishing supplies needed. You will need to pay for any supplies purchased, exceeding the allotted limit provided at the time of purchase. Please plan accordingly.
Gross pay can average $4000.00 - $6000.00 per fishing trip for new hires. Employees earn a crew share. There are no set wages for non-licensed, entry-level positions. A higher percentage can be earned based on work performance and attitude and is determined by the captain at the end of each contracted fishing trip. Paychecks will be processed 10-14 days after each trip ends and offloads. Establishing Direct Deposit for your paycheck is strongly encouraged.
Any government taxes and withholdings as well as any advances taken. If applicable, the following items will be deducted from your paycheck: airfare, gear, onboard ship store charges, and tobacco. In addition, each crew member will be charged room & board ($24/day). Room & Board will cover meals, snacks, coffee, laundry service, bedding and towels.
We recommend adopting the mentality “Quitting is not in my vocabulary”. Individuals who do not complete their contract will remain on the vessel until it makes a scheduled return to port. Individuals who do not complete their contract can only be flown to their point of hire. Wages earned will be used to cover charges incurred, travel expenses and other deductions and will likely not result in net wages. Before joining the Alaskan Leader team, please educate yourself on this job and industry and discuss your decision with close family and friends. Be sure you are mentally, emotionally and physically prepared for this job before you leave for Alaska. A positive attitude and strong work ethic are key to success!
