Temporary Oyster Boat Deck Hand Workers

Job description

Louisiana Sunken Marsh Fisheries is seeking forty-five (45) Temporary Oyster Boat Deck Hand Workers for the period of October 1, 2026, through June 1, 2027. Throughout their shift, workers may rotate among tasks as needed. Workers will perform duties aboard large commercial oyster vessels operating in coastal and marshland waters. Duties include deploying dredge nets into the water to collect oysters, raising filled dredge nets onto the vessel deck, and removing oysters from the nets. Workers will inspect, separate, and measure oysters to ensure they meet the legal minimum size requirement of three (3) inches, returning undersized oysters to the water. Oysters meeting size requirements will be cleaned using water hoses to remove dirt and debris, then sorted, bagged, labeled, and prepared for transport to the port for pickup by processing facilities. Additional duties include organizing equipment, maintaining a clean and safe work environment aboard the vessel, and assisting with loading and unloading bagged oysters.

Work is physically demanding and requires standing for extended periods, performing repetitive tasks, and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds while working on wet and unstable surfaces.

Special Requirements

Three (3) months of work-related experience is required. Workers must be willing and able to perform job duties aboard moving commercial oyster vessels operating on the water, including standing for extended periods, performing repetitive tasks, and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds while working on wet and unstable surfaces.

Work is performed on a rotating schedule consisting of Monday through Friday, seven (7) hours per day between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays, five (5) hours per day between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

All hired workers will be required to complete Form I-9 to verify their identity and authorization to work in the United States