Assistant Starter - Seasonal

OJC Oaklawn Jockey Club, Inc.

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AR Hot Springs Until 8/23/2026 H-1B sponsor history First posted June 5, 2026 Last posted June 5, 2026
Job description

Thank you for your interest in becoming part of the Oaklawn Team. We have an extraordinary legacy. We are a family with strong core values, providing a new level of excitement for our guests and Team Members as we aspire to be Arkansas' Employer of Choice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

•Schooling horses in the morning

•Set-up gate for the start of each race and ensure the best start possible

•Teach and familiarize young horses with the gate to break and school them on the starter’s list

•Set gate on track and place numbers on gate

•Follow proper procedures for getting gate on and off track for each race

•Move starting stands to each starting distance

•Make equipment changes on the horse

•Load and handle horses for each race

•Assist in loading horses that pull up during and after the race

•Ability to work required overtime

•Regular punctual attendance required

•Other duties assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

•Maintains interpersonal working relationships among personnel and the public

•Excellent oral and written communication skills

•Must be hard working and motivated

•Ability to work in a team environment

Education and Experience Requirements

•High School Diploma or equivalent required

•Previous stating gate experience preferred

•Previous experience riding or handling horses

Work Environment and Physical Demands

•Must be able to work independently.

•Must be able to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time (4 hours).

•Must be able to respond calmly and make rational decisions when handling employee conflicts.

•Must be able to maneuver throughout all areas of the property and from floor to floor either by stairways.

•Must be able to work varied shifts, weekends and holidays as needed.

•Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.; and, have the ability to push, pull, reach, bend, twist, stoop and kneel.

•Ability to simultaneously manage several projects, and not be frustrated by changing priorities and unforeseen obstacles to achieving objectives.

•Must be able to tolerate areas containing dust, loud noises and bright lights.

It is Oaklawn's intent to provide a drug-free, healthy, safe and secure environment for our Team Members. All applicants must complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

About this role

Summary

Assist with horse starting, gate setup, handling horses, and race safety procedures.

Job title

Assistant Starter - Seasonal

Experience level

preferred experience with horses or starting gate

Industry

horse racing

Location requirements

Must be located in Hot Springs or willing to commute, remote not allowed.

Salary

Not specified

Visa sponsorship

H-1B sponsor history

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

communicationteamworkphysical fitness

Preferred skills

ridinghorse handlinggate experience

Specializations

horsesracing
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Hot Springs, AR, USA

On-site City