Do you know someone who hates rats? Maybe that person should apply for a job in New York City, New York.

Mayor Eric Adams is hiring. He’s looking for someone to win the city’s battle against rats.

The official job title is “director of rodent mitigation.” Mitigation means lessening. That fancy title means “person who gets rid of rats.”

Who makes the perfect candidate? The job description describes someone “somewhat bloodthirsty.” It also says the employee should look at the city’s big rat problem from new angles.

It’s no easy job.

New York City leaders have tried to control the rodent population for generations. Sometimes they succeed. Sometimes they don’t. Lately, people see more and more rats in parks and on sidewalks.

Rats live near people because they like eating human food. It’s hard to get rid of them. New York City’s last mayor was Bill de Blasio. He spent millions of dollars to stop the pests. Workers picked up trash more often. Housing inspections got tougher. City workers also put dry ice in burrows. That suffocates the rats.

“New York City’s rats are legendary for their survival skills,” says the job posting. “But they don’t run this city—we do.”

God gives officials a responsibility to keep cities clean. Most people think of rats as dirty. The rodents spread disease.

Who do you think city officials should hire? A cat, perhaps?

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God. — Romans 13:1