New job opportunities for residents at UBS Arena in Elmont

With the UBS Arena set to open for the beginning of the 2021-22 National Hockey League season, local officials have created a hiring policy that will emphasize filling jobs at the complex with local residents.

According to arena officials, they intend to “fill 30 percent of the jobs with individuals who live within a four-mile radius of the venue.” Residents of Elmont, Valley Stream and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply.

The arena at Belmont Park will be the new home of the New York Islanders, who will play 41 home games per season there starting in the fall of 2021. Construction on the nearly $2 billion redevelopment project began last September. It is expected to generate roughly $25 billion in economic activity over the course of the Islanders’ 25-year lease of the land, and developers have invested $100 million in transit and infrastructure enhancements, including the first new Long Island Rail Road station in almost 50 years.

With a maximum capacity of 19,000 for concerts and roughly 17,000 for hockey games, along with an outdoor plaza that can hold 9,000, the developers are hoping the arena will be a world-class destination for sports and entertainment events.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky said that employment opportunities at the arena would be crucial for the Elmont economy. “The Belmont Park Redevelopment [Project] will be a game-changer for Elmont and Valley Stream, creating local jobs and spurring economic development,” Kaminsky said. “I encourage residents to apply for these opportunities right in our backyard, and I will continue to advocate for local investment as the project progresses.”

Currently, the arena is seeking a director of operations, a chief engineer, a web and email marketing manager, a vice president for guest experience, an account manager and a technology director, as well as part-time tour guides. It will also be hiring security officers, elevator operators, ticket takers, ushers, utility laborers, carpenters, painters, electricians, human resources specialists, accountants, payroll coordinators, building operations personnel and premium account staff. 

State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, of Elmont, said this is a good time for Elmont residents looking for jobs to polish their resumes. “With the projected opening date for the 2021-22 NHL season at the UBS Arena around the corner, this is a great time for those who are interested in part or full-time employment to review their resumes, update their references and stay updated on the upcoming opportunities as they become available,” Solages said. “This redevelopment project comes with a local hiring mandate, and we want to ensure that community members have access to these employment opportunities.”

Sen. Anna M. Kaplan said she was adamant during the planning of the redevelopment project about setting aside jobs for local residents. “I was insistent that there be a hiring preference for local residents who live near Belmont when it became time to start filling the many permanent jobs that the project will create,” Kaplan said. “Now that the recruitment process has begun for many of these permanent positions, I urge local residents to see what’s available and consider applying.”

Job opportunities will be posted weekly at ubsarena.com/careers. Residents can apply online or by emailing their resumes to careers@ubsarena.com. Virtual resume writing and networking workshops will be held in the coming months, and online job fairs targeting community members will be scheduled starting this summer. For more information, residents can contact Kaminsky’s district office at (516) 766-8383.