Wanted: Ruthless NYC Rat Hunter

New York City wants to know if you “have what it takes to do the impossible.” The City is looking for someone with “a virulent vehemence for vermin,” and, “most importantly, the drive, determination, and killer instinct needed to fight the real enemy – New York City’s relentless rat population.” If you fit those qualifications, you might consider applying to be New York City’s new Director of Rodent Mitigation.

“The ideal candidate is highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty,” the job posting states, “determined to look at all solutions from various angles, including improving operational efficiency, data collection, technology innovation, trash management, and wholesale slaughter.”  Other preferred attributes include a “swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor, and general aura of badassery.”

Other more traditional requirements of the job include a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in public policy, or related design fields,  5-8 years of full-time professional experience in a field related to this position,” and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

While the tone of the posting is often comedic, the job is no joke. As the New York Times points out, Mayor Eric Adams has made rat mitigation a serious part of his administration. He has repeatedly addressed the City’s rat problem during his time in office and even demonstrated a new rat-catching apparatus in Brooklyn. The creation of this new role comes amidst other initiatives to help clean up the city. Recently the mayor’s office announced new rules that will reduce the number of hours trash sits out on city sidewalks, and launched a study to find out if trash would attract fewer rodents if kept in bins.

If you think you have what it takes to be a ruthless rat hunter, you could earn $120,000 – $170,000 in this role. Just know, as the posting points out, “Rats will hate this job posting. But 8.8 million New Yorkers and your city government stand ready to work with you to reduce the rat population, increase cleanliness, and prevent pestilence.” You can show your support for the new rodent mitigation director with one of the Department of Sanitation’s anti-rat t-shirts.

Next, check out The History of the Giant Inflatable Rats in NYC and Study Finds DNA Difference in Divide in Rats From Different Neighborhoods