Review Vacancy
AgencyAgriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund
Occupational CategoryNo Preference
Salary RangeFrom $100000 to $115000 Annually
"Other" Explanation Employment Type: Time dependent on Sire Stakes calendar. Workweek: Dependent on the Sire Stakes Calendar. Hours Per Week: Dependent on Sire Stakes Schedule. Workday: Dependent on Sire Stakes Calendar.
Workday
Minimum Qualifications Preferred Qualifications:
• Must have a minimum of 7 years’ experience within similarly sized organizations and shall not have a financial interest in the State’s racing or gaming industry during or immediately following the terms of appointment, as required by law. A minimum of 3 years of this experience must be in a senior level or executive capacity;
• An undergraduate degree (B.A/B.S.) in a field substantially related to Law, Business Administration, Marketing, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, Auditing or Accounting;
• Solid leadership and management skills;
• Exceptional organization and analytical skills;
• Management experience which includes leadership, strategic planning, procurement, negotiation, conflict resolution, contract administration including procurement and compliance;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills;
• Superior interpersonal skills;
• Experience in executive management in horse racing industry;
• Experience in working with governmental entities in a regulatory and/or legal capacity;
• Experience with strategic, operation and financial planning in a horse racing industry environment.
Duties Description Job Specifics:
The New York Sire Stakes (“NYSS”) is the state's premier harness racing program designed to promote the breeding, buying and racing of standardbred horses in New York State. Administered by the Fund, the New York Sire Stakes is the nation's oldest harness racing program of its kind.
The Fund receives money from the mutuel handle and video lottery terminals from licensed tracks across the state to manage the NYSS program, provide breeders awards and purse money in these major areas:
• Sire Stakes Races: The most talented New York bred 2 and 3 year olds vie for enhanced purses at the state's pari-mutuel tracks. Each year, the top performers compete in eight races, traditionally known as the “Night of Champions.”
• Excelsior/State Fair Series: 2 and 3 year old New York bred trotters and pacers compete in these races, including the annual State Fair race held at the Goshen Historic Track.
• County Fair Racing: The best "earn as you learn" program in Sire Stakes racing is non-betting racing that takes place at 20 agricultural fairs throughout the state, culminating in championship races for each age and gait at the end of summer held at a pari-mutuel track in New York State.
• Agriculture and Equine Research: The Fund provides assistance to county agricultural societies to maintain and repair racing facilities and also contributes to both the 4-H program and the Dr. Harry M. Zweig Fund for Equine Research at Cornell University.
The Executive Director serves at the will of the Board of Trustees and under its direct supervision and control serving as the Chief Operations Officer of the Fund and in charge of the administration of its affairs.
Duties Description:
• The Fund is seeking a highly skilled administrator with exceptional leadership skills to direct and oversee the Fund. The Fund is a state public benefit corporation with varied responsibilities over a breeding program for Standardbred horses in New York State. The Executive Director, reporting to a Board of Trustees, would administer the day-to-day mission of the Fund to promote agriculture through the breeding of Standardbred horses and the conduct of a three-tiered racing program in the State.
• The Fund oversees responsibilities as defined under Sections 330 – 335 of the Racing, Pari-Mutuel, Wagering and Breeding Law providing for the administration of the New York Sire Stakes races, Excelsior/State Fair Series races, and County Fair Races. Additionally, the Executive Director directors the Fund’s efforts in providing assistance to county agricultural societies.
The Executive Director, at the direction of the Board of Trustees, provides oversight to a broad scope of activities including:
• Accountable to the Board of Trustees and responsible for carrying out their directives and decisions;
• Administering and conducting the business of the Fund;
• Coordinating the varying aspects of the Fund including marketing efforts, financial planning, operations, security, administration, stakeholder relations and information dissemination employed by the Fund or through contracted vendors;
• Providing advice, guidance, direction and authorization to carry out major plans, strategies, standards and procedures to senior and line staff as well as contractors to achieve objectives;
• Causing and reviewing program analysis to access results and define courses of action.
The Executive Director shall, at the direction of the Fund Board, provide the following:
• Facilitate the coordination of Fund actions that are complementary to the goals and purposes of the Fund;
• Oversees the staff that is responsible for the administration of the program.
• Plan, organize, staff, direct and coordinate the New York Sire Stakes program;
• Administer direction and oversight of program at harness tracks in NYS;
• Prepare and submit to the Board of Trustees regular updates/reports, including an annual report, which shall include full and complete performance metrics and information on operations;
• Operate and administer racing operations through developing, drafting and assisting in the coordination of the Sire Stakes program with pari-mutuel tracks, Goshen Historic Track and county fairs;
• Directs the staff in implementing the policies of the Fund Board;
• Establish and maintain effective cooperative working relationships with Trustees, NYS Gaming Commission, the Legislature as needed, racetracks, as well as appropriate interactions with the public; and
• Oversight of all internal controls, external communications and records management for the Fund.
Additional Comments Additional Comments
• This position is under the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.
• The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees and shall be appointed pursuant to New York Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law Section 330.
• Salary is dependent upon qualifications.
• Appointments are contingent upon a satisfactory background check which will include a federal and state criminal fingerprint records review.
Benefits
• COMPENSATION - Salaries may increase periodically.
• HEALTH - A choice of comprehensive health insurance packages (including prescription drug coverage) is available to all employees and their dependents. They also receive the benefits of a dental insurance program and a vision care program.
• LEAVE - Employees of New York State receive generous vacation, personal, sick and family leave benefits.
• RETIREMENT - Membership is either in the NYS and Local Retirement System, which is a defined retirement plan or the Voluntary Defined Contribution Program. For the defined retirement plan, employees are required to contribute a specific percentage of their gross earnings, for all their years of public service after the date of membership. Employees are vested after five years. In addition to retirement benefits, the plan includes a disability retirement benefit, ordinary death benefit and accidental death benefit.
• SAVINGS PLAN - Employees are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan in which taxes on contributions are deferred until retirement.
• DEPENDENT CARE ADVANTAGE ACCOUNT - This program provides employees the opportunity to pay for childcare, elder care or other dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
Additional Information:
New York State is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Appointment to this position in State government requires candidates to undergo an investigative screening. This includes a thorough character investigation, a Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Record History Check including fingerprinting. The Fund will pay the fee for fingerprinting. All convictions must be disclosed. Depending on the nature of the job, the criminal convictions discovered, or any falsified or omitted information revealed, the investigative findings may bar appointment or result in removal after appointment. Each case is determined on its own merits, consistent with the applicable provisions of state and federal laws.
New York State residence is not required. However, you must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of appointment and throughout your employment with New York State. If appointed, you must produce documents that establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States within three (3) days of effective date of appointment, as required by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Reference Checks and Verification of Credentials: It is the Fund policy to verify credentials, education and work experience for the position for which you are being considered. We will also conduct reference checks.
Outside Activities and Employment: It is the obligation of every employee of the Fund to pursue a course of conduct that will not cause public concern as to whether such employee is engaged in activities in conflict with the public trust. It is vital that even the appearance of a conflict of interest be avoided in view of the critical nature of the Fund's responsibilities. In addition, employees should not use Fund equipment or supplies, or Fund time to pursue or engage in any such activities. All outside employment and volunteer activities must be approved by the Fund.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
Email Address Ronald.Ochrym@gaming.ny.gov
Address
Street Attention: Ronald Ochrym, Director, Division of Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering, New York State Gaming Commission
P.O. Box 7500
Notes on ApplyingThis position is under the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund.
• E-Mail submissions are preferred;
• Resumes will be evaluated to determine whether candidates will proceed to the interview phase of the process;
• Interested qualified candidates must submit a resume and cover letter of interest no later than June 10, 2022 by mail or e-mail to the address listed above. Please include “Executive Director of the Fund” in the subject line of your e-mail to ensure receipt of your application.