NYC Looking To Hire 'Rat Czar' For $170,000 A Year To Deal With Growing Rodent Problem

New York City has a rat problem growing out of control and is searching for a "director of rodent mitigation" to help with the fight.

On Wednesday, New York City Office of the Mayor published a job listing for its next initiative to remove rats.

"Do you have what it takes to do the impossible? A virulent vehemence for vermin? A background in urban planning, project management, or government? And most importantly, the drive, determination, and killer instinct needed to fight the real enemy - New York City's rat population?" The job posting reads, "If so, your dream job awaits: New York's Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation."

The job listing describes the position as one of the essential roles in city government: "keeping the city's rats in check and on notice."

Calling New York's legendary rats "cunning, voracious, and prolific," the posting states the ideal candidate is "highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty." Those interested in the position should approach the job utilizing data collection, technology innovation, trash management and "wholesale slaughter." The New York Times reports a city hall speechwriter wrote the listing.

The posting lists the annual salary range from $120,000 to $170,000. Qualifications for the role include a New York City residency, a bachelor's degree and between five to eight years of related experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, and a "swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor and general aura of badassery."

Mayor Eric Adams and his administration have had a long to-do list since taking office during the pandemic. From record levels of homelessness and high crime rates, the mayor appears to have focused much of his attention on the city's rats.

The New York Times reports that in the first 11 months on the job, the Adams administration has made at least six announcements billed in part as anti-rat. The BBC reports rat sightings have skyrocketed in the city in recent years. Complaints to the city's customer service line increased by 67% since 2019.

On Nov. 18 Adams signed legislation called the "Rat Action Plan" in a new move to get the city's most famous residents off the streets. The legislation requires the New York health department to issue an annual report on city rat mitigation. Adams has also passed legislation limiting the time garbage sits on city streets and has tested new trash receptacles to keep rats out.

"Despite their successful public engagement strategy and cheeky social media presence, rats are not our friends — they are enemies that must be vanquished by the combined forces of our city government," said the job posting. "Rodents spread disease, damage homes, and wiring, and even attempt to control the movements of kitchen staffers in an effort to take over human jobs."

However, New York City is not the rattiest town in America. In October the pest control company Orkin released its annual "Rattiest Cities" list, placing Chicago as number one for the eighth year in a row. New York City rose one to second place, pushing Los Angeles to third.