Supervising Racing Veterinarian (Yonkers) at New York State Gaming Commission

The New York State Gaming Commission is seeking qualified candidates for a locum tenens position as the Supervising Racing Veterinarian at Yonkers Raceway, located at 810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers, NY.  The immediate need is for a veterinarian available from September 12, 2024 – December 20, 2024 (a total of 70 race days).  The Commission requires shift coverage starting at one hour immediately before post time. Post time at Yonkers Raceway is 7:00 P.M.  and the duties of the Supervising Racing Veterinarian are generally concluded by 11 to 11:30 P.M. For all veterinary work, the per diem rate is $459.82. The Commission is a US-Based Government Organization.  Qualified veterinarians working for the Commission are  eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans. Specific duties for the position are listed below.  An applicant is not required to have equine or large animal experience.   Join our innovative regulatory team dedicated to assuring the highest integrity, credibility, and quality of horseracing.  Commission veterinarians are unconditional advocates for equine health, welfare, and safety.

New York is a premiere racing state, and this is a unique opportunity for a Supervising Racing Veterinarian to work for a great company.  The Commission’s mission is to ensure that all lawful gaming and horse racing activity conducted in the State is of the highest integrity, credibility, quality, and operating in the most efficient and transparent manner.  Applicants who possess the following minimum qualifications below should consider applying:

• Candidates must have a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a current, valid New York State Veterinary License.

• During the term of employment, candidates may not have any involvement whether personal or business in any part of horse racing or have any other conflict of interest with racing participants within the past three (3) years.

The Commission believes in promoting and improving equine health, safety, and welfare and our veterinarians are uniquely empowered to be advocates for horses.

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please call Wendy Merton at 518-388-3400 and mention this position.  If you are interested in applying, send a cover letter and resume, and an illustration of current New York State Veterinarian License to:

hrrecruitment@gaming.ny.gov

or fax at (518) 388-3368

or mail to N.Y.S. Gaming Commission, Human Resources, PO Box 7500, Schenectady, NY 12301-7500. Attention: Lisa A. Fitzmaurice

Our recruitment for this position is rolling but be advised that we have a present need.

New York State Gaming Commission Supervising Racing Veterinarian

Opportunities for Per Diem Supervising Racing Veterinarians at a rate of $459.82 per day are currently available at Yonkers Raceway, located at 810 Yonkers Ave, Yonkers, NY. Join our innovative regulatory team dedicated to assuring the highest integrity, credibility, and quality of horseracing.  Commission veterinarians are unconditional advocates for equine health, welfare, and safety.

Job Description

• Responsible for all matters concerning the physical condition of horses to be raced at the track as to soundness and freedom from defect or contagious disease.
• In charge of enforcement of laws, rules and regulations forbidding use of certain drugs and stimulants.
• Assist in the conduct of investigations in event of positive drug tests and equine injuries or fatalities.
• Obtain blood samples and supervise the taking of urine samples and storage of all samples for testing.
• Supply technical information on drugs and their effects and acts as an expert witness at hearings.
• Assist in the determination of fitness of racing entrants and reports such as matters to the racing officials.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must have a degree in Veterinary Medicine and a current, valid New York State Veterinary License.

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, as required by the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, and the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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 Commission 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.

Reference Checks and Verification of Credentials: It is the Commission policy to verify credentials, education, and work experience for the position for which you are being considered.  We will also conduct reference checks.

Prior Employment Restrictions: The law that established the Commission (Section 107 of New York’s Racing, Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Breeding Law) prohibits any person from being employed by the Commission if, during the period commencing three years prior to employment, such person held any interest in, or employment by, any corporation, association or person engaged in gaming activity with the State. However, Part BB of Chapter 59 of the Laws of 2019 enabled the Commission to waive for “good cause” the pre-employment restrictions for a prospective employee whose duties and responsibilities are primarily on racetrack grounds via a resolution that outlines the reasons for the waiver and that there are no other qualified candidates with the desired experience for the specific position.

Prohibition Against Playing and Wagering: Commission employees and family members residing in their households are prohibited from purchasing or claiming New York Lottery tickets or prizes and all Mega Millions and Powerball tickets or prizes. Commission employees are prohibited from wagering upon any horse racing, commercial gaming, Indian gaming and charitable gaming activities within the State or at out-of-state properties of a licensee. The prohibition against wagering upon any horse racing, commercial gaming, Indian gaming and charitable gaming activities within the State, however, does not apply to family members of Commission employees. Commission employees are all barred from playing any regulated Interactive Fantasy Sports and sports wagering. To avoid any appearance of impropriety of conflict of interest, Commission employees are prohibited from all aspects of promoting, operating, and playing in any charitable gambling.

Outside Activities and Employment: It is the obligation of every employee of the Commission 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 Commission's responsibilities. In addition, employees should not use Commission equipment or supplies, or Commission time to pursue or engage in any such activities. All outside employment and volunteer activities must be approved by the Commission.

Post -Employment Restrictions: Post-employment restrictions apply to all State Officers and Employees subject to Public Officers Law Section 73. They apply to part-time and seasonal employees and apply equally regardless of the duration of employment while with New York State.  For the two-year period immediately following separation from State service, former State Officers and Employees are prohibited from:

• Appearing or practicing, regardless of compensation, before their former agency, and
• Receiving compensation on behalf of a client in relation to a matter before their former agency

State Officers and Employees may also be subject to a “reverse two-year bar” that requires State officers and employees to recuse themselves from matters involving their former private sector employers for two years after entering State service.

The “lifetime bar” prohibits a former State Officer or Employee from providing services, regardless of compensation, and from rendering services for compensation, in relation to any case, proceeding, application or transaction with respect to which the former employee was directly concerned and in which he or she personally participated or which was under his or her active consideration while in State service.

How and Where to Apply

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please call Wendy Merton at 518-388-3400 and mention this position. If you are interested in applying, send a cover letter and resume, and an illustration of current N.Y.S. Veterinarian License to hrrecruitment@gaming.ny.gov or fax at (518) 388-3368 or mail to N.Y.S. Gaming Commission, Human Resources, PO Box 7500, Schenectady, NY 12301-7500. Attention: Lisa A. Fitzmaurice