Print icon Print

Emergency Snow Shovelers

Get paid to help keep New Yorkers safe after winter storms.

Emergency Snow Shovelers are called on after heavy snowfalls to remove snow and ice citywide from public areas like bus stops, crosswalks, fire hydrants, and step streets.

We recruit temporary, per diem (by day) shovelers as needed.

Pay starts at $30.00 per hour and increases to $45.00 per hour after the first 40 hours worked in a week.

**REGISTRATION PERK** If your registration is completed before November 30, 2026, you will be eligible for a PAID 4-hour orientation in December, as well as fast-tracked processing to receive a paycheck within 2 weeks of working.

To become an Emergency Snow Shoveler, attend an upcoming Community Registration Event or visit the Jobs NYC Center in Manhattan.

Learn more about Snow Shoveler Registration Events.

Eligibility

To be eligible for hire, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Age: At least 18 years old
  • Work Status: Legal authorization to work in the United States
  • Physical Ability: Able to perform heavy, physically demanding labor in adverse, winter weather conditions.

Registration

You have two convenient ways to register as an Emergency Snow Shoveler: you can either attend a community registration event or visit the dedicated Jobs NYC Center.

Here is how the two options break down:

Option 1: Attend a Community Registration Event

Signing up for a Community Registration Event guarantees you an appointment time, but walk-ins are also welcome and no qualified applicant will be turned away. Please check back for new dates and pop-up locations.

Sign Up for a Community Registration Event

Option 2: Visit the Jobs NYC Center

Starting Monday, November 2, you can walk into the Jobs NYC Center to register to become an Emergency Snow Shoveler. Please make sure you bring required documentation.

Days: Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays)
Hours: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Jobs NYC Center, 2 Lafayette Street, Manhattan, 10007

What to Bring to Register

To ensure you can complete your registration on-site, you must bring the following items to your community event or to the Jobs NYC Center: 

Required

  • Contact Info: A valid phone number and email address
  • Identification: Your Social Security card (original only - no photo/copy; this will enable timely payment)
  • Employment Eligibility: Original and unexpired documents from the official I-9 Acceptable Documents list

Optional

To speed up your registration, you may also bring the following completed forms for tax purposes:

What Happens Next

  • Email Confirmation: You will receive an official confirmation via email of your registration 3 weeks following the registration event. Didn’t receive a confirmation email? Contact ShovelSnow@dsny.nyc.gov after October 31 to check the status of your registration.
  • Paid Orientation: You will receive an invitation to attend a 4-hour fully-paid orientation.
  • Work Location: You will be assigned a DSNY garage to report to when you are scheduled to work an emergency snow shoveler shift. Locations will be assigned based on borough needs and the top 3 preferences you submit during the registration process.

On-the-Job Requirements

You will be notified about shift assignments by email/phone. When you are called in to work a shift, you MUST:

  • Bring proof of advanced registration by presenting your confirmation email (either show printed copy or on your device) to your assigned work location.
  • Be physically fit and fully capable of heavy, manual snow shoveling.
  • Wear your own proper, weather-resistant clothing suitable for extreme winter conditions.

Sign Up for a Community Registration Event