NYRA/Coglianese Photo

NYRA to host job fair for 2019 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course

by Pat McKenna, Mark Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will host a two-day job fair on Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 for those interested in working at Saratoga Race Course during the 2019 summer meet. 

The job fair will be held for the second consecutive year at the Embassy Suites at 86 Congress Street in downtown Saratoga Springs. Interviews will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. 

The annual meet at Saratoga Race Course supports the employment of approximately 2,350 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers. Additionally, according to an independent study commissioned by the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency, the annual operation of Saratoga Race Course is responsible for generating an economic impact of nearly $240 million throughout the nine-county Capital Region. 

Opportunities at this year's job fair will include: hospitality ambassadors; hosts/hostesses; guest services; cashiers; parking attendants; Bets Squad representatives; white caps/ushers; box office; betting clerks; turf work/general labor; security guards; porters; cooks; waitstaff; bussers; merchandise clerks; concessions supervisors and cashiers; cleaners; and warehouse workers. Positions are available with NYRA, Integrated Staffing, Centerplate, American Maintenance and Union Square Events. 

Applicants must be at least 15 years of age with New York State Certified Working Papers; prospective security guards, cashiers and betting clerks must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Security guards must have a high school degree or GED to apply. All applicants must bring a photo ID and social security card or I-9 alternative. 

The 2019 Saratoga meet begins on Thursday, July 11 and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. Following Opening Weekend, Thursday, July 11 through Sunday, July 14, racing at Saratoga will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. 

Among the highlights of the 2019 season are Opening Weekend, July 11-14; the 150th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday, August 24; and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on Saturday, August 3.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.