Seeking ‘leader of the rat pack’: NYC posts job listing for Rat Czar that pays up to $170,000

New York City Mayor Eric Adams may be dealing with rising crime and a homeless problem but he’s made it clear that he’s willing to pay big money for someone who can get rid of the city’s rats. 

Adams announced a job posting for what he’s terming the Big Apple’s ‘Rat Czar’ on Thursday, more formally known as Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation.   

The job, which pays between $120,000 to $170,000, is being listed for anyone with a background in urban planning, project management, or government work, but it seems the Democratic mayor wants someone with a flair for the position.

Adams tweeted: ‘There’s NOTHING I hate more than rats. If you have the drive, determination, and killer instinct needed to fight New York City’s relentless rat population – then your dream job awaits.’

The description goes even further, describing the job as doing ‘the impossible’ in stopping the city’s rats. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams may be dealing with rising crime and a homeless problem but he’s made it clear that he’s willing to pay big money for someone who can get rid of the city’s rats

Adams announced a job posting for what he’s terming the Big Apple’s ‘Rat Czar’ on Thursday, more formally known as Citywide Director of Rodent Mitigation

It also suggests you have a: ‘swashbuckling attitude, crafty humor and general aura of badassery.’ A knowledge of PowerPoint is also necessary. 

There’s a dark side to the position, however, as it says that you’ll need ‘stamina and stagecraft’ and that ‘the ideal candidate is highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty.’

A city councilmember told CBS News that the city has had a 71 percent increase in rat sightings since 2020.  

Adams held a press conference in October where he said that ‘fighting rats’ was up there with crime and inequality as what he was focused on in his attempt to make New York a livable city.  

The posting notes: ‘Despite their successful public engagement strategy and cheeky social media presence, rats are not our friends. 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.’ 

A city councilmember told CBS News that the city has had a 71 percent increase in rat sightings since 2020

Adams held a press conference in October where he said that ‘fighting rats’ was up there with crime and inequality as what he was focused on in his attempt to make New York a livable city

 This is perhaps a reference to a time when rats are seen chowing down on everything from pizza, and bagels to the salad that went viral online.

The first rodent to take social media by storm for its larger-than-life appetite was Pizza Rat.

In September 2015, New Yorkers were amazed when footage emerged of it carrying an entire large slice of pizza down the steps of a subway station. 

Despite the slice being bigger than it, the rat managed to drag it down several stairs before it was forced to admit defeat.

The video clip of its valiant effort went viral.

Salad Rat joins fellow social media stars storm Pizza Rat (left) and Bagel Rat (right)

Donut Rat (left) and Coffee Rat (right)

A month later, Donut Rat sprung up on social media after footage captured the rodent at East Broadway station on October 30 carrying the donut to a hidden spot. 

A few months later, another star was born with Bagel Rat as two rats were seen scrapping over a bagel.

It seemed both simply wanted to fit in with the commuter crowd, by enjoying a classic New York breakfast while waiting for the morning subway. 

Then in 2019, Coffee Rat showed up, when the caffeinated creature was filmed dragging an empty cup of coffee across a subway platform in Brooklyn.

The rat czar posting’s ‘statement of values’ is listed as: ‘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.’

New York City residency within 90 days of taking the job is required.