New York City has issued an urgent call for temporary snow shovelers ahead of a powerful winter storm expected to blanket the region with heavy snowfall and strong winds. The recruitment drive comes as a rare blizzard warning is put in place for the city for the first time in nearly a decade.
City and state officials have mobilized emergency measures, declaring a State of Emergency and preparing public services for significant disruption. While the city is offering hourly wages of up to $28.71 for qualified workers, applicants must meet strict identification requirements to register for the temporary roles.
Blizzard Warning Triggers Emergency Response across New York City
A blizzard warning was issued for New York City as a nor’easter bomb cyclone approached the Northeast, with forecasters predicting between 19 and 24 inches of snow and wind gusts reaching 55 miles per hour. According to Fox News, the warning marks the first time in nearly ten years that such an alert has been issued for the city.
In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for the city. Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a video on social media outlining the city’s winter storm preparations, stating that outreach teams had been mobilized to address anticipated needs.
The scale of the forecast prompted city agencies to prepare for widespread snow removal and public safety operations. Images shared during the storm’s onset showed pedestrians navigating snow-covered residential streets in Brooklyn as snowfall intensified.
The storm also carries potential health risks. According to Fox News, experts have warned that shoveling snow can pose serious dangers for certain individuals, particularly those vulnerable to heart-related conditions. A separate report cited by the outlet noted the death of a Tennessee man who suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow during the same weather system.
Sanitation Department Seeks Temporary Shovelers under Strict Eligibility Rules
To manage the expected accumulation, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced it is recruiting temporary, per diem snow shovelers. These workers will be tasked with clearing snow and ice from public areas such as bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and step streets.
The pay structure begins at $19.14 per hour and increases to $28.71 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week, according to Fox News. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, physically capable of performing heavy labor, and legally eligible to work in the United States.
In addition to these requirements, prospective workers must present two small 1.5-inch square photographs, two original forms of identification along with copies, and a Social Security card at the time of registration.
The identification requirements stand in contrast to the city’s voting policies. According to Fox News, the New York City Board of Elections does not require most registered voters to present identification at polling sites. First-time voters are required to provide one of three documents: a driver’s license number, a non-driver identification number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Those who did not provide identification during voter registration may cast an affidavit ballot.
As the storm advances, city officials continue to coordinate emergency operations, while sanitation crews and newly recruited shovelers prepare for what could be one of the most significant winter events in recent years.
