SANIT WORKER FILING THROUGH MARCH 27

Starting Pay Is $26G; Written Exam June 9; 2,000 Hirings Likely; Need H.S. Diploma To Be Hired

Filing is open until March 27 for an exam leading to Sanitation Worker jobs, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services said.

The starting salary is $26,000, which rises to $30,811 after six months, and $57,392 after 5-1/2 years. The multiple-choice test is set for June 9.

Steady Hiring

The Department of Sanitation is looking to hire between 300 and 500 Sanitation Workers per year over the next four years, said DSNY spokesman Matthew Lipani.

The position is highly competitive. As of Feb. 21, 3,500 individuals had applied.

The last filing for the job was held in May 2003, and 40,000 people applied for that exam. As a result of that February 2004 test, a list of roughly 22,000 eligibles was created. In all, 6,772 candidates have been appointed so far from that roster.

By the date of appointment, candidates must be 21 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. They also must have a valid New York State CDL Class A or B license with an "N" Tank Vehicles endorsement which is valid outside New York. Individuals should check the exam notice for a complete list of the job specifications.

Persons with serious moving violations, driver's license suspensions, accident records or other indications of poor driving will likely be disqualified. There is a $30 filing fee.

Drug, Alcohol Screening

Candidates must pass a medical exam to determine whether they can perform the essential functions of the job. They also must pass a drug and alcohol screening. Sanitation Workers are subject to random drug tests throughout their employment.

Appointees must reside in New York City or Nassau and Westchester counties during their first five years on the job. Afterwards, they can also live in Suffolk, Orange, Rockland, or Putnam counties.

New York City residents will be given five additional points for their final exam scores. To be eligible for that bonus, candidates must pass the exam and have to live in New York City from June 1 through Dec. 1.

Candidates seeking the residency credit must apply by following the instructions which will be provided during the written test. Just supplying a city address on the application form does not count as a request for the bonus.

Prior to appointment, candidates will be called for an interview by the DSNY Division of Human Resources as part of the background investigation and to review all the necessary credentials, according to the exam notice. At that meeting, candidates must have originals or certified copies of documents, including proof of date of birth, military service, and required residency verification.

The multiple-choice test will gauge candidates' abilities to understand written material, communicate information to another person, recognize a problem or a potential problem, and follow a rule or set of rules to arrange things. The exam will also test candidates' skills in determining where they are in relation to the location of an object, recognizing how an object will look when it's moved or its parts are rearranged, applying general rules to a specific problem, and basic math.

Candidates who pass the written test must also complete a qualifying physical exam, which will be administered in score order as vacancies occur. However, based on the number of projected vacancies, the DSNY does not anticipate calling all candidates who pass the written test.

New hires must complete an 18-month probationary period and they have to successfully complete a prescribed instruction course.

Candidates called to the physical test must pay an additional $20 fee. Details of that exam will be disclosed to candidates who are about to be called up for the test.

Further information can be obtained on-line at www.nyc.gov/sanitation or by calling 311. Exam applications are also available at any of the DSNY's 59 district garages throughout the city.