A program that pays Baltimore city students ages 14-21 to shovel snow for senior citizens got a flurry of interest yesterday as word spread that today, November 2, is the last day to sign up.

But the phone number provided when Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the program last July, 443-984-4095, goes to the city’s voicemail box and a recorded voice.

“I’m sorry, extension 443-984-4095 is busy. You have reached the city of Baltimore’s voice messaging system. If you know your party’s extension please dial it now. To access your voice mailbox please press the pound key.”

After the caller fails to press the pound key, the voice says, “Invalid entry. Goodbye.”

Another phone number that has been circulating since the program was unveiled, 443-263-2220, also just goes to a recording.

There is also an email address listed for applicants, jobs.trans@baltimorecity.gov.

So how, aside from the email, do students sign up for this program, which was touted as something that would pay a minimum of $500 to qualifying city kids?

And how do senior citizens, disabled people or others who think they may need shoveling help this winter get on the list to receive it?

Call 311

A 311 operator said they are getting a lot of inquiries about the program since today is the last day to sign up. She said they will accept applications over the phone until 10 p.m. tonight.

Since July, she said, the operators have been mailing out the application forms for seniors and disabled people who want to receive the shoveling service and students who want to get the jobs.

But the forms don’t seem to exist online and at this point it’s too late for students to receive them by snail mail, given today’s deadline.

Would-be recipients of shoveling help have a little more time. The deadline for them to sign up is November 15.

DOT spokeswoman Adrienne Barnes said the phone number for the program changed over the summer and “our contacts in the community were informed that they should tell people to call 311,” she said.

People who call today to apply for the jobs will have their names forwarded to DOT and the agency will be in touch, Barnes said.

Here’s what the forms look like:

Part of Mayor’s Youth Initiatives

Back in the summer, Rawlings-Blake announced the City Youth Snow Program at her weekly press availability.

“From an historic billion dollar investment in new schools, to construction of the first new recreation centers in over 10 years, I’ve always been committed to expanding opportunities for our young people,” she said, going on to note that the city’s Youth Works and Hire One Youth programs were able to employ all 8,000 students who applied this summer.

She introduced Richard Hooper, chief of DOT’s Operations Bureau, who went on to describe the scope of the program.

He said funds had been budgeted for 200 to 400 students to participate and noted that students could opt for 150 service learning hours, in lieu of receiving the cash stipend.

Hooper described what will happen to approved students, after their training.

“They will be given shovels, gloves and safety vests,” he said. “And will be assigned to a number of locations around their community.”