6 Things To Expect About Amazon Camperforce
01-09-2018
Author: in Henley's Happy Trails
Amazon has a handful of Fulfillment Centers that hire RVers for the last quarter of the year to assist with their holiday season. This is their busiest time of the year, dubbed Peak Season, and all hands-on deck are needed to meet the demands of consumers.
RVers selected to work are known as Amazon Camperforce associates as this group has specific job roles and responsibilities, work schedules, and benefit packages. So far, we have worked at two separate centers. We worked at a Texas facility from October to December our first season. The following year we accepted jobs in Kentucky from November to December.
Each season was different in that we were assigned new tasks and shifts; however, overall, both experiences were very much the same. If this is a workamping job that interests you, here’s a little heads-up on what to expect:
Monotonous Work
Camperforce associates are typically assigned one of four roles during the season: picking, packing, stowing,and receiving. Essentially, each role encompasses a set of steps to be completed and then repeated for the duration of your day. Stockers, for example, scan and verify a product before placing it in the appropriate storage compartment. Pickers collect consumer orders and send them off to the packaging department.
Each job is vital to the success of the company; however, completing the same steps for hours can become very lackluster very quickly. Luckily, there were occasions where associates were asked to perform other tasks in their department or assist in a completely different department. Assignments ultimately depend on consumer demands and the needs of Amazon as a whole.
Long Hours
Camperforce associates typically work 40 hours a week, 10 hours each day for 4 days. These hours may increase during special sale days like Cyber Monday or (again) as the need presents itself. Generally, associates are assigned day or night shifts. We were assigned to night shift one year and day shift the next. Our preference was definitely day shift as we had never worked a graveyard shift in previous jobs. The night shift was hard on our bodies and minds; we felt like zombies. We never got used to the schedule.
Keep in mind that these 10 hours do not include the commute to and from work. Depending on the set up, some RVers were a mere walk across the street from an Amazon warehouse. Other RVers were camped at parks about a 30 minute drive away. Campground reservations are made in advance and those travelers beginning work early (as early as August) get first dibs on sites.
A side note, if you travel with pets like we do it’s a good idea to make preparations for them during your absence from the rig. In our case, we had someone come by at least once to relieve our dog, and we checked in via camera monitor on our breaks. Phones are not allowed in the warehouse, but associates can use their devices on breaks, away from the production floor.
Lots of Standing
These long hours of repetitive tasks are completed on your feet on concrete floors. Wearing comfortable tennis shoes is advised. In order to help prepare Camperforce workers for the long hours of standing, initial work hours are cut in half the first week.
Nice Compensation Package
Despite the downfalls listed above, why do hundreds upon hundreds of RVers continue to apply and reapply for the positions? The compensation package is pretty appealing. As their website boasts, Amazon Camperforce hirees receive a paid campsite. All hours are paid, including overtime and shift differential. A bonus is awarded to each associate that completes his/her contract, along with referral bonuses. For many RVers, the earnings are put away and used to sustain their travels and lifestyle a few months after leaving. Winter in Florida sounds like a well-deserved escape!
All Kinds of Products
One aspect of the job that breaks up the monotony is the products. Amazon receives and ships all sorts of products. Amongst the apparel, toys, and pantry items, every now and then we’d come across some very comical and risque items. More often than not, these were the conversations during breaks: What was the oddest/most interesting item you stocked/picked today?
Comradery
With the amount of RVers hired on as Amazon Camperforce associates, it’s no wonder that we have met most of our traveling buddies during these workamping periods. There is a lot of networking that goes on in between work. Many of our coworkers have steered us towards other workamping opportunities or offered advice and know-how about the lifestyle. We continue to keep in touch with one another and share our stories on the road, many lessons we can grow from and build upon.
Have you worked as an Amazon Camperforce Associate? What tidbits do you have to offer interested parties?
RVers selected to work are known as Amazon Camperforce associates as this group has specific job roles and responsibilities, work schedules, and benefit packages. So far, we have worked at two separate centers. We worked at a Texas facility from October to December our first season. The following year we accepted jobs in Kentucky from November to December.
Each season was different in that we were assigned new tasks and shifts; however, overall, both experiences were very much the same. If this is a workamping job that interests you, here’s a little heads-up on what to expect:
Monotonous Work
Camperforce associates are typically assigned one of four roles during the season: picking, packing, stowing,and receiving. Essentially, each role encompasses a set of steps to be completed and then repeated for the duration of your day. Stockers, for example, scan and verify a product before placing it in the appropriate storage compartment. Pickers collect consumer orders and send them off to the packaging department.
Each job is vital to the success of the company; however, completing the same steps for hours can become very lackluster very quickly. Luckily, there were occasions where associates were asked to perform other tasks in their department or assist in a completely different department. Assignments ultimately depend on consumer demands and the needs of Amazon as a whole.
Long Hours
Camperforce associates typically work 40 hours a week, 10 hours each day for 4 days. These hours may increase during special sale days like Cyber Monday or (again) as the need presents itself. Generally, associates are assigned day or night shifts. We were assigned to night shift one year and day shift the next. Our preference was definitely day shift as we had never worked a graveyard shift in previous jobs. The night shift was hard on our bodies and minds; we felt like zombies. We never got used to the schedule.
Keep in mind that these 10 hours do not include the commute to and from work. Depending on the set up, some RVers were a mere walk across the street from an Amazon warehouse. Other RVers were camped at parks about a 30 minute drive away. Campground reservations are made in advance and those travelers beginning work early (as early as August) get first dibs on sites.
A side note, if you travel with pets like we do it’s a good idea to make preparations for them during your absence from the rig. In our case, we had someone come by at least once to relieve our dog, and we checked in via camera monitor on our breaks. Phones are not allowed in the warehouse, but associates can use their devices on breaks, away from the production floor.
Lots of Standing
These long hours of repetitive tasks are completed on your feet on concrete floors. Wearing comfortable tennis shoes is advised. In order to help prepare Camperforce workers for the long hours of standing, initial work hours are cut in half the first week.
Nice Compensation Package
Despite the downfalls listed above, why do hundreds upon hundreds of RVers continue to apply and reapply for the positions? The compensation package is pretty appealing. As their website boasts, Amazon Camperforce hirees receive a paid campsite. All hours are paid, including overtime and shift differential. A bonus is awarded to each associate that completes his/her contract, along with referral bonuses. For many RVers, the earnings are put away and used to sustain their travels and lifestyle a few months after leaving. Winter in Florida sounds like a well-deserved escape!
All Kinds of Products
One aspect of the job that breaks up the monotony is the products. Amazon receives and ships all sorts of products. Amongst the apparel, toys, and pantry items, every now and then we’d come across some very comical and risque items. More often than not, these were the conversations during breaks: What was the oddest/most interesting item you stocked/picked today?
Comradery
With the amount of RVers hired on as Amazon Camperforce associates, it’s no wonder that we have met most of our traveling buddies during these workamping periods. There is a lot of networking that goes on in between work. Many of our coworkers have steered us towards other workamping opportunities or offered advice and know-how about the lifestyle. We continue to keep in touch with one another and share our stories on the road, many lessons we can grow from and build upon.
Have you worked as an Amazon Camperforce Associate? What tidbits do you have to offer interested parties?
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Author: Levi and Natalie Henley
