Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson today announced a modernized, streamlined process for Emergency Snow Shovelers, including early registration, a paid orientation in December, a pay increase to $30 per hour and faster payment.
The changes build on the widespread success of the program last winter, when more than 7,800 New Yorkers answered the call during historic storms.
"If this past year of blizzards, thunderstorms and heat waves taught us anything, it's that it's never too early to prepare for extreme weather," said Mayor Mamdani. "Last winter, thousands of New Yorkers stepped up to help their neighbors dig out from heavy snow and ice. This year, we're raising their pay and making it easier to join the program - because when the snow comes, our city needs to be ready."
"New York's Strongest prepare year-round for winter snowfalls," said Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson. "From adapting to a changing cityscape to applying lessons learned from previous years, we constantly update and innovate to ensure a safer city after winter weather events. This year, we plan to enter snow season with Emergency Snow Shovelers prepared as well, to ensure that crosswalks, bus stops and other critical infrastructure are safe for commuters as quickly as possible."
For decades, Emergency Snow Shovelers have removed snow and ice from public areas, including bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants and step streets. Last winter, a record number of New Yorkers - more than 7,800 - stepped up to help during heavy snowfalls, blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures.
For the first time, DSNY dispatched Snow Shovelers during active snowfall and on evening shifts to speed up snow removal. Together with DSNY workers, Snow Shovelers helped the City clear 135,000 crosswalks, 34,000 bus stops and 29,000 fire hydrants.
The City is now moving registration to the fall, well before the first snowflake falls. The new process will reduce paperwork and administrative burdens, ensure Snow Shovelers are ready to work when needed and ensure they are paid more quickly.
Snow Shovelers working this winter will earn $30 per hour, increasing to $45 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week. That is up from $19.14 and $28.71, respectively.
Emergency Snow Shovelers must be at least 18 years old, legally authorized to work in the United States and physically able to perform heavy, physically demanding work in adverse winter weather conditions.
Shovelers who register at a DSNY registration event before Nov. 30 will be eligible for a paid four-hour orientation in December and expedited payment processing, with the goal of receiving a paycheck within two weeks of working.
The first registration event will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Taft High School, 240 East 172nd Street in the Bronx.
To register, individuals must bring:
- A valid phone number and email address
- Social Security card
- Completed W-4 (Federal Withholding) and IT-2014 (NYS Withholding) forms
- Completed I-9 form along with its required supporting identification documents (see official I-9 Acceptable Documents list)
DSNY previously required Snow Shovelers to bring their own printed photographs. This year, photos will be taken at registration events, eliminating an additional barrier to joining the program.
Additional registration events across the five boroughs will be announced soon on DSNY's @NYCsanitation social media channels and at nyc.gov/snowemploy.
After registering, Snow Shovelers will receive a confirmation email with an invitation to the paid orientation. They will then be assigned to a DSNY garage to report to during significant snowfalls based on borough needs and their location preferences.
