ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF GAMING

Arizona Department of Gaming
100 North 15th Avenue
Suite 202
Phoenix, Arizona 85007 

Turf Paradise - Horse Track
1501 West Bell Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85023

Salary: Up to $31.648/Hourly (DOE) 

Grade: 20

Open until business needs are met

Are you passionate about horse racing and ensuring fair play in the industry?

The Arizona Department of Gaming is seeking a dedicated Racing Division Horse Racing Steward to interpret and enforce the Racing Commission Rules and Regulations, ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all participants. This critical role involves maintaining compliance with both state regulations and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), while safeguarding the integrity of the racing industry. If you are committed to upholding the standards of racing and protecting the welfare of animal participants, we encourage you to apply.

As a Racing Steward, you will oversee track operations, conduct investigations, and make vital decisions affecting the racing community. You will ensure compliance with regulations,  supervise racing activities, and represent the Department in all matters related to the racing industry.

Your Impact:
• Rule Enforcement: Interpret and enforce Racing Commission Rules and Regulations, ensuring compliance from all racing participants, including jockeys, owners, and trainers.
• Track Inspections: Conduct regular inspections and maintain documentation for HISA/HIWU, ensuring all individuals involved have completed necessary requirements.
• Decision-Making: Hold hearings, issue fines, suspend licenses, and make determinations on race results, ensuring fair and impartial rulings.
• Reporting and Documentation: Write detailed reports on complaints, actions taken, penalties imposed, and keep accurate records in accordance with state regulations.

Why Join Us?
• Impactful Role: Play a key part in maintaining the integrity and safety of the racing industry in Arizona.
• Professional Development: Work in a dynamic environment that values continuous improvement and offers opportunities for growth and training.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and benefits package that ensures your well-being and security.

This position may require both office and on-track work, and the ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

As a Racing Steward you will:
• Interpret and enforce the Racing Commission Rules and Regulations, ensuring compliance for the health, safety, and welfare of all racing participants and the integrity of wagering.
• Oversee compliance with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and the Horseracing Integrity Welfare Unit (HIWU), including conducting track inspections and ensuring all relevant documentation for jockeys, owners, and trainers is complete.
• Maintain daily records of individuals involved in racing on the HISA/HIWU website and ensure adherence to all applicable regulations.
• Act on behalf of the Director and the Racing Commission to hold hearings, issue fines, suspend or deny licenses, and supervise race results and on-track Racing Division employees.
• Investigate objections and make prompt decisions on entries and declarations, regulating conduct during racing meetings.
• Take immediate action in cases of rule violations, including disqualification of horses or suspensions of individuals involved, and refer matters for further review if necessary.
• Serve on the judiciary board, making decisions regarding the validity of complaints and race outcomes in line with state racing commission rules.
Prepare detailed reports documenting all complaints, actions taken, penalties imposed, and the voting record of board members, while advising the Director on all rulings and hearings.
• Attend the racing secretary's office or racetrack during entries and racing days to represent the Department and interpret applicable rules.
• Impose civil penalties for rule violations, which may include fines and suspensions, and refer serious violations to the Director for potential license
revocation.
• Assist as a Boxing/Mixed Martial Arts inspector at events throughout the year, ensuring compliance and certification for these activities.
• Inspect and certify Off Track Betting (OTB) facilities across Arizona and maintain necessary updates on the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) website regarding rulings.

Knowledge of:
• Arizona State Racing Commission rules and regulations
• Statutes governing horse racing
• Track operations
• Investigations and licensing functions
• Horse anatomy and behavior
• HISA/HIWU rules and regulations

Skills In:
• Judging race results impartially and exercising mature judgment
• Detecting violations of rules during race meets
• Communicating effectively with the public and industry professionals
• Writing reports and gathering data for statistical analysis
• Diffusing volatile situations and resolving disputes

Ability To:
• Formulate appropriate courses of action and communicate those courses of action to staff/management
• Make informed decisions in sensitive and hazardous environments
• Maintain related certifications
• Perform work of considerate difficulty
• Investigate work of a sensitive and occasionally hazardous nature
• Work in a smoke and high dust environment and must be able to stand for extended periods of time
• Training racing employees, independent contractors and department employees
• Work at racetrack locations within the State

• Previous (animal) racing regulatory experience
• Possess at minimum, a basic level Racing Officials Accreditation Program certificate

• This position requires the ability to drive on State business. The following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on State business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see A.AC. R2-10-207.11). 

• Must successfully pass a qualifying steward examination at time of appointment.

The Arizona Department of Gaming offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave - Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

To help you build a financially secure future, positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Human Resources at HumanResources@azgaming.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.