a worker of the NYC Sanitation department

Things The NYC Sanitation Department Does

The NYC Sanitation department handles one of the most important functions of the city. However, it’s often one of the most overlooked functions. One of the keys to governmental success is getting the important things done, and the NYC Sanitation department plays an important role in it.

Here’s what this department does.

Keep The Area Clean

The primary function of every sanitation department in any city or town is to keep that area clean. This itself may not seem like a difficult job, but it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Wh at comes out of people’s homes will be thrown into their streets so that when they wake up in the morning, they will see all the garbage right there in front of their doorsteps if nothing is done to remove it regularly throughout the night.

Maintain Streets and Sidewalks

The second function of a sanitation department is to maintain streets, sidewalks, and residential areas. Graffiti, broken pavement, trash piles, or ruts are all problems that must be dealt with and replaced by the sanitation department when it’s noticed.

Keep Homes Clean And Sanitary

Another function of the sanitation department is to keep people’s homes clean and sanitary. People do not seem to want to take care of their yards and many other things, so the sanitation department has to pick up the slack. This can range from cleanup, home sanitization, or trash pickup.

Disposal Of Trash

This is the one thing that people like to ignore most because they don’t want to think about it; however, it must be done. A sanitation department is in charge of picking up and disposing of all the trash that comes from each household in their area and disposing of it properly at a waste disposal center, landfill, or other similar location.

Sanitation worker on duty in NYCThis includes taking care of garbage and trash that is generated from building, ripping up old sidewalks, tearing down old trees, raking leaves, and other light work for the sanitation department.

Dealing With Rodent And Wildlife Infestations In City Areas

This includes controlling and eradicating these pests with traps, poison, and other measures. It also includes removing dead animals from the street, or sometimes even whole dead animals like a dog killed in a road accident or a dead pigeon. This helps reduce the possibility of contracting diseases from the animal blood spilled on the road.

Protect Us From The Elements

Weeds, pests, and other things that would harm us if left unchecked. This includes control and removal of trash, weeds, debris, and other things that may harm people’s property or health or cause public health problems in the city, for example. NYC is home to around 8 million people, and every night around 4,000 people sleep on the street! That’s why it’s crucial to keep the streets clean from diseases and trash.

text: a sanitation worker picking up trashDealing With The Aftermath After Natural Disasters

They deal with the aftermath of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or floods. Some of these situations can cause a lot of damage to homes and public infrastructure, so this is a job that every sanitation department must be prepared for. They will need to collect debris from the streets, clean up houses and buildings that are on the verge of collapse or have been destroyed by now.

Removing The Snow

While many people enjoy the snow, they usually have to go to work or school, and this means the sanitation department has to clear the streets so they can do that. This is also important for public safety in case of emergencies such as road accidents because you may not be able to get through if the streets are blocked by snow that has not been removed.

Handling Public Health Situations

The sanitation department takes care of contagious diseases by applying disease infestation in a building or area. This means keeping an eye on things and making sure that an outbreak does not happen, which could be devastating for many people in the city or town. It also means disinfecting and decontaminating anything that may be infected or causing a disease that people can get.

Want To Work At NYC Sanitation Department? Be Prepared!

If you’re looking to work in the NYC sanitation department, you should appear for the NYC Sanitation exam with very strict requirements. You’re eligible for it if you:

  • Are 17 and half years or older (to take the exam)
  • Have at least a high school diploma
  • Have a commercial driving license

The next sanitation exam will be conducted in 2022. Their salary ranges from $47,371 to $89,339, along with other benefits. That’s why it’s very competitive to get into the sanitation department. Being the dirtiest city in the US, it requires workers with high-quality training who should be prepared to step out of their comfort zone.

According to reports, the city of New York would greatly suffer if their Sanitation department ran out of workers or there’s a major disturbance in the department. From causal daily trash to clearing up storm debris, the city hugely depends on its Sanitation department.

That’s why the sanitation department takes exams every four years. They hire workers after a detailed examination and a tough testing system.

If you wish to work in the sanitization department, you’ll need good training and preparation before appearing for NYC Sanitation Officer Exam. At Civil Service Success, we prepare you for Sanitation Officer Exam that’d help you ace your civil service exam.

We also offer preparation for NYC firefighter exam and NYS Court Officer Exam. Contact us to learn more about our services.

 

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