Making a Difference

Meet Jeffrey Sanders, Supervisor of Special Initiatives in the Pest Control Department

Formerly a regional manager of a healthcare company’s marketing team, Jeffrey Sanders took a new direction in his career by joining NYCHA in 2019. Mr. Sanders was hired to supervise the work to install door sweeps across the portfolio. After all the necessary rodent-proofing door sweeps had been installed, Mr. Sanders became the supervisor of the Exclusion Team, which combats pest issues in NYCHA basements and grounds.  

“We seal open points in and outside the NYCHA buildings and on the grounds,” said Mr. Sanders. “We use different types of rodent-proofing materials. For example, we work on window wells around the buildings to prevent rats from getting in the basements, where they tend to go into the compactor rooms – because that’s where garbage (their food source) is located.

“As a supervisor, regardless of the task at hand, the goal is to make sure that workers are following directives, and that we get the job done. No matter the challenge I may face, no matter the industry or agency, it’s still about the fundamentals of supervision. I understand what I need to do, and make it work.”

Mr. Sanders’s team consists of 12 people who respond to as many requests throughout the day as possible.

“We start our work with the most urgent requests – the highest infestation areas,” explained Mr. Sanders. “The most challenging part is overcoming obstacles that won’t allow us to do our job. Sometimes we have to close off an area until we rectify the problem. Other than that, we just get the job done.

“There is unlimited knowledge to gain at NYCHA. There are so many moving pieces as well, and I’m captivated by that. At the end of the day, it takes a team to get things done. Everyone works well as a team in my department, and I admire that.”