New York City Seeks ‘Somewhat Bloodthirsty’ Rat Czar to Tackle Rodent Problem | American News

New York City is advertising a “somewhat bloodthirsty” person who doesn’t object to “wholesale slaughter” to be its new rat czar.

Mayor Eric Adams’ administration wants someone with “a general aura of badassery” to lead the city’s battle against rodents.

While the official job title is “Rodent Mitigation Manager”, the role has been dubbed the Rat Czar. It comes with a salary range of $120,000 to $170,000 (£97,700 to £138,430).

“The ideal candidate is highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty, determined to look at all solutions from different angles, including improving operational efficiency, data collection, technological innovation, waste management and l ‘wholesale slaughter,’ the ad reads.

New York City has been trying to control its rodent population for generations, with recent sightings of rats in parks and on the streets increasing.

The vermin survived a multimillion-dollar effort under former Mayor Bill de Blasio that introduced more trash pickups and better housing inspections in targeted neighborhoods.

The city also used dry ice to smother the rats in their hiding places.

Mayor Adams, when he was borough president of Brooklyn, once demonstrated a trap that used a bucket filled with poisonous soup to drown rats attracted by the smell of food.

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Now his administration is looking for someone to become the public face of the city’s eradication and education efforts.

“Clever, voracious, and prolific, New York’s rats are legendary for their survival skills, but they don’t run this city — we do,” the post adds.

Candidates are expected to have good communication skills, a keen sense of humor and to “lead from the front, using practical techniques to exterminate rodents with authority and efficiency”.