RAO4 Steward - Harness

Are you ready to take the reins in a dynamic and rewarding racing integrity role? As an RAO4 Steward Harness based in Brisbane North, you will play a key part in delivering safe, fair and high-quality race day operations across Queensland's harness racing industry.

Leading and coordinating race day officials; including judges, starters, clerk of scales, sample collection officials, veterinarians and barrier staff; you will be at the centre of stewarding operations, ensuring compliance with the Rules of Racing and animal welfare standards.

The Team

The Harness Stewarding team is responsible for maintaining the integrity, compliance, and reputation of Harness racing in Queensland. The team delivers stewarding services, manages race day operations, and oversees the performance of race day officials to ensure fair and transparent racing practices. The team are required to work at racetracks throughout Queensland, and conditions can be adverse at times.

Role Type

Full-time Contract (up to 5 years)

Working Relationships

Reports to:  A Senior Steward

Direct reports: 0

Team size:  15+

Our Values

Trust + Transparent + Accountable + Excellence + One Team

Your Role

You will be responsible for directing and managing race day officials at race meetings. Race day officials include: (judges, starters, clerk of scales, sample collection officials, veterinarians and barrier staff.)

The position requires strong communication and relationship management capabilities, to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

What you’ll be doing

• Strong communication and relationship management capabilities, to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in the delivery of Queensland racing stewarding operations, to ensure race day operations are effective, high quality, meet regulatory requirements and community expectations.
• Officiate at race meetings, and assist in the resolution of race meeting issues, promptly informing management of serious matters impacting on the implementation of race day and/or non-race day activities.
• Assist in the management of race day, trial and track work sampling, audit, and/or testing activities.
• Work to implement the changes relating to racing operations and Animal Welfare.
• Prepare timely and accurate Steward’s reports and other documentation for inquiries or race meetings; this may include representing the QRIC in an official capacity.
• Participate as a member of the stewarding team to establish a stewarding operational framework that is integrated with QRIC strategic objectives.
• Provide sound advice to QRIC senior management on issues relevant to stewarding operations.
• Implement and work to all Rules of Racing and QRIC policies and procedures.
• Record all operational activities in the required format and manner – e.g. records relating to stable/kennel inspections, equine/canine inspections, race meetings and trials, and perform administrative duties using a range of computer and other devices.
• Partner and collaborate with QRIC intelligence and investigative teams
• Reporting all non-compliance issues in accordance with Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) requirements Contributing to the safety culture of QRIC by reporting all incidents and hazards and ensuring work is conducted in compliance with Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Demonstrating ethical behaviour and integrity in line with the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994.

Why you’ll love it: QRIC is a dynamic workplace, with diverse and interesting roles ranging from those who oversee race meetings state-wide, to animal welfare specialists, strategists, communicators, regulators and more. As a young and rapidly maturing organisation QRIC employees have opportunity to help shape our future.

Join us for a workplace experience like no other where racing animals are our priority, and where dogs (and sometimes horses!) at work is commonplace.

What you will bring to the role

Expert knowledge of the Rules of Racing, analytical and decision-making skills, a commitment to ethical behaviour, and the ability collaborate with stakeholders, and ensure high-quality, compliant race day operations.

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Strong understanding of the Rules of Racing and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to manage high-pressure situations, including high-profile and high-risk race meetings.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and commitment to ethical behaviour.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, particularly in research, intelligence, and compliance activities.
• Knowledge of WHS principles and practice, especially with racing animals.

How you will be assessed

We are looking for the best suited applicant for this role. We will assess your eligibility and ability to undertake the requirements of the role (including where relevant, the way you have conducted previous positions).

The core competencies for the role include:

• Leads Strategically - A strong understanding of the Rules of Racing, stewarding operations, and regulatory frameworks, while effectively managing race day operations and contributing to the resolution of complex issues.
• Makes Insightful Decisions - Analyses research, intelligence, and betting trends to make sound, evidence-based decisions during high-profile and high-risk race meetings.
• Achieves Results - Delivers high-quality, compliant race day operations that meet regulatory standards and community expectations by overseeing preparation activities, including audits, inspections, testing, and compliance monitoring.
• Drives Accountability and Governance - Enforces the Rules of Racing and QRIC policies to ensure integrity and transparency, reports non-compliance issues, and implements corrective actions while promoting workplace health and safety (WHS).
• Fosters Development and Inclusion - Mentors and develops Cadets and junior staff, fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, while encouraging collaboration and teamwork across QRIC to achieve shared goals.
• Builds Effective Relationships - Communicates clearly and persuasively with internal and external stakeholders, including government departments, private entities, and the public, while maintaining strong external partnerships to enhance operational outcomes and ensure the integrity of Harness racing.

To find out more about the leadership stream and corresponding capabilities required for this role, please refer to the Leadership competencies for Queensland Government.

Who we are

The Queensland Racing and Integrity Commission (QRIC) exists to safeguard animal welfare, fairness, and the integrity of Queensland’s racing industry. QRIC is primarily responsible for overseeing the integrity of race meetings across Queensland including stewardship of all races, licensing race day participants, the provision of veterinary services, industry education (nurturing voluntary compliance), and race day sampling. QRIC exercises its investigative authority conducting race day (in competition) as well as intelligence led enforcement and investigations with racing industry participants who may be non-compliant with the Rules of Racing or breach Licensing Standards. Substance testing is also undertaken as part of the prohibited substance control strategy through the Racing Science Centre. As a small yet mighty organisation, QRIC staff ensure the integrity of every race meeting in Queensland through stewardship over the running of race meetings, the provision of veterinary services and race day sampling. This includes all thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound meetings from the far north, west to Longreach and to the Queensland border in the south. Join us and be a part of our dedicated team. Visit qric.qld.gov.au to learn more about us.

Mandatory checks

• To be appointed to a position, you must be an Australian citizen, have permanent residency status or a visa permitting you to work in Australia. You are required to notify QRIC if your right to work in Australia ceases.
• Newly appointed public service employees must disclose any employment as a lobbyist in the previous two years within one month of starting.
• Flexible work arrangements will be considered for the advertised role.
• A three-month probationary period applies to successful candidates external to public sector.
• May be required to work on weekends and extended hours when reasonably required.
• Complete a conflict-of-interest form.
• Subjected to a mandatory gambling restrictions policy which prohibits any gambling on the racing events throughout Australia and internationally and must declare and disclose all gambling accounts.
• Applications may remain current for 12 months and may be considered for recurring vacancies. These may be at an alternative location or for an alternative employment basis.

How to apply

Submit an application/cover letter describing two activities that you have been involved with that can demonstrate that you possess the success capabilities mentioned above. Your response must not be longer than two pages.

Submit your current resume detailing your previous work or voluntary experience including two referees who have personally observed you displaying the leadership competencies required for the role.

If you have questions on the RAO4 Steward-HAR role, please contact Neil Finnigan, Chief Steward - HAR,

0472 558 *** or  *************@qric.qld.gov.au.