Passage: "DSNY (NYC Department of Sanitation) operates the largest municipal sanitation force in the world. Sanitation Workers (SWs) collect refuse, recycling, and organics; clear snow; and maintain equipment. Workers report to the assigned garage at the start of each shift to receive route assignments." According to the passage, where do Sanitation Workers begin each shift?
Nyc Sanitation Written Comprehension
Question · Easy
Civil Service Basic Skills Exam Guide 2026
A 2026 Civil Service Basic Skills guide covering verbal, reading, math, logic, grammar, ranked eligibility lists, official hiring links, and free practice.
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Verbal Reasoning & Vocabulary
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Passage: "Sanitation Workers operating a rear-loading collection truck must always maintain three points of contact when mounting or dismounting the riding step. Workers may not ride the step when the truck is backing up or when the truck speed exceeds 10 miles per hour." According to the passage, when is riding the rear step prohibited?
Civil Service Basics, Notices, and Scoring Strategy
1.1 Decode the Civil Service Exam Notice
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Passage: "During snow operations, DSNY plows are dispatched to primary streets first, secondary streets next, and tertiary streets last. Salt spreaders precede plows on icy primaries. Workers must complete a pre-trip inspection of the plow blade, spreader, and chains before leaving the garage." In what order are streets plowed?
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Antonym question trap
Passage: "Alternate side parking (ASP) regulations in NYC allow DSNY mechanical brooms to clean curbs on a posted schedule. Vehicles parked in violation may be ticketed by DSNY enforcement agents. SWs are not responsible for issuing parking tickets — that is the role of DSNY enforcement." Who issues parking tickets under ASP?
Passage: "A Sanitation Worker who observes a leaking propane tank in a curbside refuse pile must not load it into the truck. The worker should notify the supervisor, tag the location, and request HazMat response." What is the first step when a leaking propane tank is observed?
Analogy: name the relationship
Passage: "Refuse collection routes are assigned to a two-person crew: one operator (driver) and one loader. The operator is responsible for vehicle operation; the loader is responsible for emptying receptacles into the hopper. Crews rotate roles per the garage roster." The loader's primary responsibility is:
1.2 Format, Scoring, and Eligibility Lists
Passage: "DSNY workers must wear high-visibility outer garments (Class 2 or Class 3) at all times when working in or near the roadway. Outer garments must remain visible — workers may not wear coats over them." Which of the following is NOT permitted?
Question · Medium
Professional-to-person-served analogy
Passage: "During a 12-hour snow shift, Sanitation Workers must take a 30-minute lunch break and may take two additional 15-minute relief breaks. Breaks must be coordinated with the supervisor and must not leave any plow route uncovered." What is the maximum total break time on a 12-hour snow shift?
Passage: "All DSNY collection trucks are equipped with a backup alarm. The alarm must sound continuously when the truck is in reverse. A Sanitation Worker may not use a personal music device, including headphones, while loading." Which of the following is permitted under the passage?
Diligent
Passage: "DSNY enforces a strict no-idling policy: collection trucks may not idle for more than 3 minutes unless actively loading or in queue at a transfer station. Violations are recorded on the truck's electronic logging device." A truck idling for 4 minutes at a coffee stop is:
1.3 A 20-40 Hour Study Plan
Passage: "Sanitation Workers handling organics (food waste) must wear cut-resistant gloves and steel-toed boots. Organics bins may contain bones, shells, or sharp food packaging. The contents are decanted into a sealed organics-only compactor body." Why are cut-resistant gloves required for organics?
Impartial
Passage: "Trucks returning to the garage at end-of-shift must be parked in numerical order in the apparatus bay. Operators are responsible for chocking the wheels, applying the parking brake, and turning in the keys to the dispatcher." Which of the following is NOT the operator's end-of-shift duty?
Passage: "DSNY operates from 59 community district garages across the five boroughs. Each garage covers one community board area. Workers are assigned to a home garage but may be detailed to other garages during snow emergencies." How many DSNY community district garages are referenced?
Prudent
Passage: "A Sanitation Worker who is injured on duty must report the injury to the supervisor immediately and complete an LM-1 line-of-duty injury form before leaving the garage at end-of-shift. Failure to report on the same day may delay workers' compensation claims." An injury reported three days after it occurred may:
1.4 Test-Day Accuracy and Pacing
Passage: "During plowing, the plow blade is raised when traveling more than 200 feet without active plowing. Salt spreaders are shut off when not on the assigned route. Operators record blade-up and spreader-off times on the route log." What records the blade-up and spreader-off times?
Mitigate
Passage: "Workers must complete a pre-trip vehicle inspection before each route. The inspection covers tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, packer body, and tailgate latches. Any defect must be reported on the daily vehicle condition report (DVCR) before the truck leaves the yard." Which item is NOT listed in the pre-trip inspection?
Passage: "In a snow emergency, all DSNY personnel may be required to work 12-hour shifts on a rotating chart basis (charts A and B). Workers must report regardless of regular days off. Refusal to report may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination." During a snow emergency, refusing to report:
Onerous
Passage: "Sanitation Workers must wear cut-resistant gloves, safety glasses, and high-visibility outer garments at all times while collecting refuse. Steel-toed boots are required when operating equipment with the hopper packer cycle engaged." When are safety glasses required?
Question · Hard
Verbal Reasoning and Workplace Vocabulary
2.1 Workplace Vocabulary For Public Service
Passage: "DSNY weekly schedules show six 8-hour shifts followed by two days off. Shifts include 0600-1400, 1400-2200, and 2200-0600. Sanitation Workers receive shift differential pay for evenings and overnights." Shift differential pay applies to:
Candid
Passage: "Whenever a DSNY collection vehicle is involved in a property damage incident, the operator must remain at the scene, notify the supervisor immediately, exchange information with the other party, and complete a DSNY MV-104 form before end-of-shift." If the operator leaves the scene without notifying the supervisor:
Passage: "Organics (compost) collection routes occur once per week. Recycling collection occurs once per week on the day specified by the building's address. Refuse collection occurs two or three times per week depending on the district." Which collection happens the least frequently?
Main idea vs. supporting detail
Reading Comprehension
Passage: "Sanitation Workers who report to work under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances are subject to immediate removal from duty and may be terminated. DSNY conducts random fitness-for-duty testing under federal DOT regulations because operators hold CDLs." Why is DSNY subject to federal random testing?
2.2 Synonyms, Antonyms, and Context Clues
Place the following collection-route steps in the correct order: (1) Empty receptacles into hopper, (2) Engage packer cycle, (3) Approach receptacle on the curb, (4) Return receptacle to curb.
Nyc Sanitation Information Ordering
Stated detail questions
Place these pre-trip inspection steps in correct order: (1) Sign the DVCR, (2) Check brakes, (3) Check tires and lights, (4) Note any defects.
Place the snow operation steps in correct order: (1) Plow primary streets, (2) Spread salt on icy primaries, (3) Plow secondary streets, (4) Plow tertiary streets.
Inference questions
Place these end-of-shift duties in correct order: (1) Turn in keys to dispatcher, (2) Park in numerical order, (3) Apply parking brake, (4) Chock the wheels.
2.3 Analogies and Word Relationships
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