Olympic Authority Has Planned Staffing Increases

The state authority aims to reduce overtime costs by shifting to more full-time positions at its regional facilities.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Jobs — General

Isometric editorial illustration of a mountain facility structure featuring clean architectural lines, representing regional operational planning. — The Olympic Regional Development Authority plans to increase its full-time workforce to 752 positions over the next two years to lower overtime expenses at its facilities. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Olympic Regional Development Authority has announced plans to expand its permanent workforce to manage operating costs. The organization expects to increase full-time equivalent positions to 736 in the coming year and 752 the following year.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to curb high expenditures on employee overtime while preparing for projected increases in business and visitation demand. By transitioning staff to full-time roles, the authority aims to stabilize its operations across New York.

The authority receives $13 million in annual operating assistance from New York State, with capital investments totaling roughly $1 billion over the past decade. It currently maintains a total staff of 2,200, including seasonal and part-time roles.

The players

Olympic Regional Development Authority

This state organization manages major athletic and tourism facilities in New York, including sites in the Adirondacks and Catskills.

The details

The authority manages various facilities, including those in the Adirondacks and Catskills such as Whiteface, Gore, and Belleayre. The planned hiring is intended to replace expensive overtime hours with consistent full-time labor to better handle visitor demand at sites like the Lake Placid Olympic facilities.

The authority employed 2,200 staff members throughout 2025.
Staffing expansion plans were announced on September 22, 2026.
Full-time positions are slated to increase to 736 in the upcoming year.
Full-time positions are projected to reach 752 in the year after next.

Market Landscape

This staffing expansion aligns with long-term state efforts to optimize the management of public tourism assets in the Adirondacks and Catskills. The move aims to improve operational efficiency against a backdrop of ongoing capital investments.

Residents and visitors may see improved consistency in service and operations at state-managed ski mountains and facilities. The transition aims to keep public-funded operations efficient, potentially mitigating the need for higher state-funded bailouts.

The takeaway

The authority is attempting to trade variable labor costs for stable full-time employment to accommodate future growth. This approach reflects a broader focus on reducing reliance on overtime in seasonal industries.