New York City’s battle against its rodent population continues as the Department of Sanitation remains on the hunt for a “Rat Czar.” Mayor Eric Adams first drew national attention last month with a unique job posting seeking a candidate who is “highly motivated” and possesses a “killer instinct” to address the city’s persistent pest problem.
The original advertisement for the role, which offers a salary between $120,000 and $170,000, called for an individual with an intense dislike for vermin and a background in urban planning or government management. During various press conferences, Adams has made his stance clear, famously declaring that humans, not rats, run the city.
Recent updates suggest the search is still active. During a press event on Thursday, Mayor Adams jokingly clarified that former mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa would not be considered for the position. Sliwa recently made headlines himself by attempting to use feral cats to handle a rat issue near the Mayor’s Brooklyn residence.
While the official job listing has recently disappeared from the city’s website, officials have not yet confirmed if a final candidate has been selected. For now, the city’s high-stakes effort to eradicate its infamous rodent population remains a top priority for the administration.