NYC Sanitation Worker 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of the NYC DSNY 'basket inspection' during a street cleaning shift?
- To count the number of littering violations on a block
- To check and service public litter baskets, emptying full ones and replacing liners (Correct answer)
- To inspect baskets for hazardous materials only
- To record illegal dumping incidents for enforcement
Correct answer: To check and service public litter baskets, emptying full ones and replacing liners
Basket inspection involves physically checking public litter baskets on a section route, emptying full ones, and maintaining liners.
Question 2: Under NYC Admin Code, property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk and the street area up to how many feet from the curb?
- 6 inches
- 12 inches
- 18 inches (Correct answer)
- 24 inches
Correct answer: 18 inches
NYC law requires property owners to keep the sidewalk clean and the 18-inch area adjacent to their property along the curb clear of debris.
Question 3: A sanitation worker witnesses a coworker falsifying a tonnage report. What is the worker's obligation?
- Say nothing to avoid conflict
- Report the misconduct to a supervisor or through DSNY's integrity reporting channels (Correct answer)
- Correct the report themselves without telling anyone
- Refuse to sign any tonnage reports going forward
Correct answer: Report the misconduct to a supervisor or through DSNY's integrity reporting channels
City employees are obligated to report misconduct through proper channels; falsifying official records is a serious disciplinary and legal offense.
Question 4: What is the 'alternate side parking' regulation's primary relationship to NYC sanitation operations?
- It generates revenue through parking fines to fund DSNY
- It requires vehicles to move so mechanical street sweepers can clean the curb lane (Correct answer)
- It determines which side of the street receives collection first
- It restricts truck access during peak traffic hours
Correct answer: It requires vehicles to move so mechanical street sweepers can clean the curb lane
Alternate side parking rules require cars to move on designated days so DSNY mechanical sweepers can access and clean the curb lane.
Question 5: Which type of NYC DSNY facility receives collected refuse and transfers it to long-haul trucks or barges for export?
- Material recovery facility (MRF)
- Marine transfer station or land transfer station (Correct answer)
- District garage
- Composting depot
Correct answer: Marine transfer station or land transfer station
Transfer stations (marine or land) are the intermediate facilities where collected refuse is consolidated and loaded onto large vehicles or barges for export.
Question 6: A sanitation worker finishes a collection route with 45 minutes remaining in the shift. According to DSNY practice, what should the worker do?
- Return to the garage and wait for the shift to end
- Report to the supervisor for additional section work or assistance on another route (Correct answer)
- Take an extended break since the route is complete
- Drive around the district at their own discretion
Correct answer: Report to the supervisor for additional section work or assistance on another route
Workers who complete their primary assignment early must report to their supervisor for reassignment to additional tasks rather than waiting idly.
Question 7: What is the NYC Civil Service examination element that specifically tests a sanitation worker candidate's ability to follow detailed written instructions?
- Arithmetic reasoning section
- Written comprehension and written expression section (Correct answer)
- Mechanical aptitude section
- Physical agility test
Correct answer: Written comprehension and written expression section
The written comprehension and written expression portion of the sanitation exam evaluates candidates' ability to understand and apply written rules and procedures.
NYC Sanitation Worker 5
What is the purpose of the NYC DSNY 'basket inspection' during a street cleaning shift?