Exterminator, Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Division of Environmental Health works to prevent and control illness and injury related to environmental and occupational health risks through outreach, education, surveillance, and enforcement.

With staff of 1,000, the Division covers a broad range of subject matter, including oversight of environmental investigations, lead poisoning, injury prevention, occupational health, food safety, childcare, radiation control, recreational and drinking water quality, air quality, climate health, vector control, veterinary public health and pest control. Pest Control Services works to improve the public health of New York City by reducing the rat population. The program coordinates with other city agencies, improves environmental conditions in impacted neighborhoods, and assures compliance with pertinent laws, rules and regulations governing these areas of activity relative to rat infestations.

Exterminators work under general supervision to prevent, control and eliminate insects, vermin and other pests from buildings and surrounding areas, including parks.

Their work involves inspecting properties, identifying the type of pest, and developing customized treatment plans to address infestations effectively while ensuring safety for non-target organisms and the environment.

They also provide preventive advice to reduce the risk of future infestations, such as recommending sanitation practices, sealing entry points, and modifying habitats.

The Division of Environmental Health seeks an Exterminator L-I for its Bureau of Veterinary and Pest Control Services.

Duties will include but not be limited to:

• Inspect assigned areas of infestation to determine the appropriate method of extermination to be used.
• Properly bait sites according to protocol using the most effective insecticides, rodenticides, baits, traps, and related chemicals/ equipment required, while strictly following label directions and safety data sheets.
• Manage a daily route of assignments efficiently, and customize selection and preparation of poisonous insecticides, rodenticides, and related chemicals used at each location.
• Prepares reports as required using a mobile device, including records of equipment usage, work schedules, and exterminating operations performed.
• Assist and help other exterminators and supervisors in performing exterminations and other related duties, including perform rodent exclusion and stoppage work when required.
• Inspect demolition sites to confirm that adequate pre-demolition rodent control procedures were performed.
• Properly use and maintain appropriate and applicable city-issued equipment, materials and clothing
• Operates city vehicle safely and in accordance with State laws.
• Maintain pesticide applicator licensure, independently completing required continuing education training, and submitting renewal applications on time.

Preferred Skills:

• A valid driver's license with a good DMV record.
• A valid certificate as a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator for Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Rodent Control (Category 7A) issued by NYSDEC.
• Physically able to perform fieldwork, including standing for long periods of time, bending, lifting, carrying related chemicals and equipment in various terrains and weather conditions.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and oral, as well as the ability to manage high-stress interactions with tact and courtesy.
• Proficiency in typing for documenting findings in formal reports.
• Be flexible, adaptable, customer-focused, and self-motivated with a commitment to high standards of excellence.

Why you should work for us? Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal/state loan forgiveness and repayment assistance programs that lessen your payments or even fully forgive your full balance. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website (https://studentaid.gov/pslf/)

• Benefits: City employees are entitled to unmatched benefits such as: o a premium-free health insurance plan that saves employees over $10K annually, per a 2024 assessment. o additional health, fitness, and financial benefits may be available based on the position’s associated union/benefit fund. o a public sector defined benefit pension plan with steady monthly payments in retirement. o a tax-deferred savings program and o a robust Worksite Wellness Program that offers resources and opportunities to keep you healthy while serving New Yorkers. Work From Home Policy: Depending on your position, you may be able to work up to two days during the week from home.
• Job Security - you could enjoy more job security compared to private sector employment and be able to contribute to making NYC a healthy place to live and work.

Come join us and help to continue our efforts in making a difference in the lives of all New Yorkers! The NYC Health Department is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation to all individuals. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Sye-Eun Ahn, Director of the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, at sahn1@health.nyc.gov or 347-396-6549.

Minimum Qualifications

A valid certificate as a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator for Industrial, Institutional, structural and Rodent Control (7A) issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This certificate must be maintained for the duration of appointment.

License Requirement For appointment to certain positions, at the time of appointment eligibles must possess a Motor Vehicle Driver License valid in the State of New York. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment.

Special Note:

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, in addition to meeting the minimum requirements, two years of full-time satisfactory practical experience in the preparation and use of insecticides, rodenticides, baits, traps, and related chemicals/equipment for the extermination of insects, vermin and other pests.

Special Note:

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level III individuals must have, in addition to meeting the minimum requirements, two years of full-time satisfactory practical experience in the preparation and use of insecticides, rodenticides, baits, traps, and related chemicals/equipment for the extermination of insects, vermin and other pests and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in a supervisory capacity for a total of three years experience.

Residency Requirement

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.