This page focuses on the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Sanitation Worker process. It should not be treated as a universal sanitation-worker exam for other cities or public-works employers.

DSNY’s current hiring guidance states that Sanitation Workers are appointed from a civil-service list. Candidates first take a written examination when the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes it available. After testing, DCAS issues a score and list number and publishes the civil-service list.

DSNY then calls candidates in list-number order when the agency is authorized to hire. Passing the written examination does not itself guarantee appointment.

Current NYC DSNY process

The current official DSNY hiring sequence is:

  1. DCAS posts a Sanitation Worker Notice of Examination.
  2. Candidates apply for and take the written examination.
  3. DCAS issues scores and list numbers and establishes the civil-service list.
  4. Candidates are called for the DCAS physical examination as hiring authorization and list order permit.
  5. Candidates who advance complete DSNY orientation and processing.
  6. DSNY verifies qualifications and documentation.
  7. Candidates must meet medical and other pre-employment requirements before appointment and training.

Because filing periods and examination cycles change, this page does not claim that a new Sanitation Worker filing period is currently open. Check the live DCAS exam schedule and Notice of Examination.

Current minimum requirements highlighted by DSNY

DSNY currently states that a candidate must be at least 17½ years old to take the examination.

By the date of appointment, DSNY states that a candidate must:

  • be at least 21 years old;
  • have a high school diploma or GED;
  • hold a valid New York State Commercial Driver’s License Class A or B with the required endorsements and restrictions;
  • pass the physical test;
  • meet medical guidelines;
  • pass drug and alcohol screening;
  • meet the published residency requirement.

The current DSNY CDL page specifies Class A or B, N-Tanker and Air Brakes endorsements, and no K-Intrastate restriction. Verify the live DSNY and DCAS material because licensing and hiring requirements can change.

Written exam versus later hiring stages

Do not combine every hiring step into one “exam.”

Stage What it does
DCAS written examination Produces a score and list order for the civil-service process
DCAS physical examination Separate physical qualification stage for candidates reached from the list
DSNY document review Confirms age, residency, license and other appointment requirements
DSNY medical review Determines whether medical qualifications are met
Background / license checks Separate pre-employment screening
Training Begins after required qualifications and processing are completed

What should you study for the written exam?

Use the current DCAS Notice of Examination for the exact subject areas. Do not rely on a historical exam’s content as if it were guaranteed for a future cycle.

Useful transferable skills for civil-service preparation can include:

  • reading and applying written rules;
  • basic numerical reasoning;
  • information ordering;
  • attention to detail;
  • workplace judgment;
  • interpreting schedules or simple records.

Only prioritize a skill when the current notice confirms it is relevant.

Original practice questions

The following questions are original JobPracticeTests examples, not DCAS or DSNY examination items.

Question 1: list order

A certified list is called in numerical order. Candidate A has list number 214 and Candidate B has list number 178. If all other conditions are equal, who is reached first?

A. Candidate A
B. Candidate B
C. Both at the same time
D. The candidate with the longer application

Answer: B. A lower list number is earlier in numerical order.

Question 2: applying a rule

A written instruction says a vehicle may not leave the facility until the operator completes the required inspection. The operator is running late and has not completed it. What should happen first?

A. Leave immediately because the route is late.
B. Complete the required inspection.
C. Skip the inspection and write a note later.
D. Ask another employee to ignore the rule.

Answer: B. The stated rule makes inspection a condition before departure.

Question 3: arithmetic

A crew collects 48 containers on one route segment and 37 on the next. How many containers are collected in total?

A. 75
B. 85
C. 95
D. 105

Answer: B. 48 + 37 = 85.

Question 4: schedule

A task begins at 7:20 a.m. and lasts 45 minutes. When does it end?

A. 7:55 a.m.
B. 8:00 a.m.
C. 8:05 a.m.
D. 8:15 a.m.

Answer: C. Forty minutes reaches 8:00 and five more minutes reaches 8:05.

How to prepare without using stale rules

  1. Check the current DCAS exam schedule.
  2. Open the current Notice of Examination when a Sanitation Worker exam is available.
  3. Confirm the subjects, filing dates, fee, test method and eligibility rules.
  4. Separate written-exam preparation from physical, medical, CDL and background requirements.
  5. Practice only the skills the current notice identifies.
  6. Keep your contact information and required documents current if you are already on a list.

Official sources

Official DCAS and DSNY materials control every live filing, qualification and appointment requirement.