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Delaware Department of
Agriculture


Harness Racing Commission



Our Mission


The Delaware Department of Agriculture Harness Racing Commission regulates and oversees the sport of Harness racing in the state. Its primary objectives and principles are to protect, preserve, and promote agriculture and horse racing through effective and efficient efforts to prevent and eliminate corrupt practices; ensure fairness in decisions affecting licensees and patrons; ensure due process in administrative proceedings; be attentive to the public and licensees and provide information concerning the industry and commission operations. The commission is also responsible for ensuring that the state and the betting public receive fair percentages of the wagering dollar by overseeing periodic accounting audits.

 

Background


The Delaware Harness Racing Commission regulates and oversees the sport of harness racing in the state. Its primary objective is to protect the betting public. The Commission is also responsible for ensuring that the State and the betting public receive fair percentages of the wagering dollar by overseeing periodic accounting audits. In addition, the Commission monitors the conduct of the entire racing industry and may occasionally hold hearings to investigate any perceived wrongdoings thoroughly.

The Commission’s primary goal is to eliminate fraudulent activity that would undermine the public trust and bring violators of Racing Commission rules, regulations, and the Delaware Code to justice.

The key objective of the Commission is to maintain hands-on supervision of all investigative cases involving evidence of race-fixing, horse substitution, illegal medication, bookmaking, touting, sale, use, and possession of CDS, economic crimes, and others. Expose wrongdoers and all things prejudicial to the interest and the sport of horse racing.

 

Members of the Harness Racing Commission


Beth Steele, Chairman
Patt Wagner, Vice Chairman
George P. Staats, Commissioner
Stephanie Liguori, Commissioner
Jack Berberian, Commissioner
Mark A. Davis, Executive Director

 

Employment Opportunities


Administrator of Delaware Harness Racing Commission (Exempt Position), Closing Date: March 31, 2024

Salary Range:  $69,259 – $95,569 
As an employee of the State of Delaware, Department of Agriculture, the Administrator will represent the state’s interests at the two harness racing tracks, Bally’s Dover and Harrington Raceway. The Administrator oversees the daily activities of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission (DHRC), including enforcement of harness racing rules and regulations, licensing all aspects of harness racing, ensuring health and safety, drug testing, and staff supervision. The DHRC staff includes Judges, Veterinarians, Identifiers, Inspectors, Investigators, laboratory personnel, and office staff. The Administrator will serve as a liaison between the state and track management and the primary contact between the Commission and the horseman’s association. In addition, the Administrator is the point of contact between the DHRC and other state agencies, such as the Department of Justice, the Department of Finance, and the Lottery Office. The DHRC contracts most of the required laboratory services for equine and human drug testing to the private sector. The Administrator is responsible for oversight of those contracts and associated activities.
 
Specifically, the Administrator is the chief regulatory officer; tracks industry trends and develops new rules and regulations as needed; assigns, delegates, and tracks investigative work; supervises all DHRC staff; tracks all fees, fines, and penalties on a monthly basis; reports all harness racing activities to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Delaware Harness Racing Commission; prepares annual reports; prepares yearly budgets; monitors and tracks all DHRC revenue and expenditures; stays apprised of industry trends and participates in national racing associations; and performs other duties as assigned by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Delaware Harness Racing Commission.
 
This is an exempt position with the State of Delaware within the Department of Agriculture and comes with a generous benefits package, details of which can be reviewed at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/. Interested applicants must submit a resume by March 31, 2024, to the following address: Department of Agriculture, Human Resources, 2320 South DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
 
Conditions of Hire
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system, where the State will provide the federal government with each new hire’s Form l-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
 
Accommodations
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. Please call 302-739-5458 to request an auxiliary aid or service. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.
 
The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware, including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
 
For a downloadable copy of this job posting, click: Administrator of the Delaware Harness Racing Commission.
 

General Public Information


The Delaware Council on Gambling Problems offers confidential assistance to gamblers, their families, and those concerned about a friend or colleague. The Council provides literature, support meeting information, treatment information, and 24-hour help. Speakers are available for community groups and professional training. HELPLINE 888-850-8888


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