Chief State Steward - 92340

Job Responsibilities

1. Monitor and regulate all live races for compliance with racing rules and regulations.

• As presiding Steward, manage the execution of all Stewards' stand duties, such as ensuring the proper posting of the running numbers, execution of "Stop Betting Command" and conclusion of wagering prior to race commencement, posting of Inquiry, Objection and Official signs, and notification of finishers to Pari-Mutuel Department.
• Observe live races from multiple angles.
• Review race video prior to making the race official.
• Interview jockeys involved in any incident under inquiry and review video to reach consensus on an inquiry/objection during the running of a race.
• Confer with Patrol Judge and other Stewards prior to making post-inquiry determinations.
• Observe post parades to verify correctness of jockey mounts, equipment and any irregularities with the participants.
• Scrutinize race for interference or any performance anomalies.
• Scrutinize betting pools for any possible irregularities.

2. Responsible for adjudicating potential violations and reporting the activities of the races.

• Conduct inquiries into alleged violation of the rules and testify at any Board appeal hearing as an expert witness.
• Issue notices to appear or other such notices in order to conduct inquiries on issues or alleged violations of racing and licensing rules and regulations, financial and criminal complaints.
• Make decisions and issue penalties in the prescribed manner and limits set forth by Racing Board rules, the Horse racing Act, and any other applicable laws or rules.
• Execute Stewards' rulings regarding violations.
• Generate race day minutes regarding the conduct of the race program, including stewards on duty, track conditions, weather, program changes and inquiries or decisions made regarding the conduct of a race.
• Coordinate with other Board employees on racing issues.
• Compile End of Meet report summarizing key factors of the race meet as required by Management.

3. Coordinate with other race officials prior to the start of the daily race program and adjust as necessary to ensure the safety of participants and appropriate personnel are in place.

• Ensure State presence in Stewards' office three hours prior to race start.
• Prior to first race, ensure all equipment in the Stewards' stand is in proper working order.
• Verify all race officials have current program information and post times.
• Evaluate track conditions and make appropriate adjustments.
• Confer with Jockey's Guild Representative and the Track Superintendent regarding spe3cial circumstances, such as extreme weather conditions.
• Ensure Emergency Medical personnel and Outriders are on duty.
• Ensure all State regulatory positions are occupied or covered.

4. Work with Board Management and State Veterinarians to ensure procedures to protect equine health and compliance with rules regarding equine health and safety, including medication and drug administration.

• Coordinate with State and Track veterinarians and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in cases of infectious disease outbreak.
• Place horses on the Stewards' List that do not meet performance standards, and mandate conditions necessary for removal.
• Based on form, select horse, in addition to the winner, to be sent to the Detention Barn for post-race testing.

5. Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Minimum of 10 years' experience in the horse racing industry.
2. ROAP level 1 accreditation with a minimum of 5 years of experience as a racing Steward.
3. Minimum of 1 year of experience working under HISA rules.
4. Minimum of 1 year of experience managing staff or a racing office.
5. Minimum of 5 years of experience participating in administrative Stewards' hearing with at least 1 year of experience conducting Stewards' hearings.
6. Minimum of 5 years of experience applying racing jurisdiction rules to race decisions.
7. Minimum of 2 years of experience producing Stewards' rulings and daily minutes using computer software.
8. Minimum of 2 years of experience using spreadsheets and document creation software to create reports and simple spreadsheets for reporting, logging and tracking of information.

Preferred Qualifications

1. College degree with emphasis in racetrack management preferred.
2. Excellent writing and speaking skills.
3. Ability to make sound, reasonable decisions in a high pressure, time-sensitive environment.
4. Experience using Incompass preferred.
5. Demonstrated ability to analyze race video for interference or subterfuge.
6. Ability to evaluate potential licensees for suitability for licensure.
7. Ability to become familiar and proficient with the IRB proprietary database.
8. Ability to become familiar with and consistently apply Board rules and regulations.

Employment Conditions

1. Ability to work at any racetrack in the State of Illinois.

2. Must not have been a licensee of the Illinois Racing Board in the past 12 months.

3. Must not have had an interest in (including employment with) a licensee of the Illinois Racing Board in the past 12 months.

4. No household member has been a licensee of the Illinois Racing Board in the past 12 months.

5. No household member has held an interest in (including employment with) a licensee of the Illinois Racing Board in the past 12 months.

Revolving Door

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.