ELIGIBLE LIST: OPEN-COMPETITIVE
Only an Open-Competitive eligible list will be established as a result of this examination. Permanent City employees will receive no promotional preference in this examination.
ELIGIBLE LIST: CONTINUOUS
The examination for this class is announced on a continuous basis. Applications will be accepted indefinitely. The eligible list established as a result will be merged as candidates are tested. Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years.
Candidates who pass a continuous examination may not apply for the same examination as long as the candidate’s name remains on the eligible list. Candidates who fail or those who pass and whose names are subsequently removed from the eligible list for a continuous examination may apply for the examination again 180 days following the last date on which the candidate took the examination. If a candidate takes an examination sooner, the candidate will be considered examined in error. The candidate’s test papers will not be scored.
Candidates who pass the exam and are placed on the civil service list will be retained on the list for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years after the establishment of the Eligible List.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
The Civil Service Commission has waived the usual requirement that candidates must be residents of Philadelphia for one year prior to appointment.. Establishment of residency in Philadelphia will be required no later than one (1) year after appointment.
PREFERENCE FOR PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS
Candidates who have maintained a bona fide residence in Philadelphia for at least one year prior to the date of the civil service examination shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score.
To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response will be used to determine eligibility for preference for residents. Documentation of residence may be required if there is any question as to whether you meet the residency preference requirements.
If an applicant does not respond to the appropriate residence question, it will be assumed that the applicant does not qualify for residence preference. Eligibility for residence preference must be determined by the date of the test administration. No requests for residence preference will be granted after the test administration.
Workforce Renter Assistance Program
Candidates for this job title may be eligible for the City’s Workforce Renter Assistance Program for help with moving to Philadelphia. Candidates must meet program and household income requirements to be eligible. More information can be obtained during the hiring process and the WRAP program page
INDEBTEDNESS NOTICE
As a condition of employment with the City, any person offered employment shall be required to certify that such person either is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the City; or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with the City. For so long as the person is employed by the City, the amount of the payment as set forth in the payment agreement (not to exceed, for any pay period, twenty percent (20%) of the person’s gross pay for such period, without the person’s consent) shall be withheld from each paycheck until such payment agreement is fully satisfied.
Such person shall also be required to certify as a condition of employment that he or she is fully current on any and all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts and obligations due and owing to the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) or has voluntarily entered into a payment agreement with PGW.
Failure to enter into a payment agreement shall result in the cancellation of the appointment and removal from the certification. The name of the eligible candidate will be returned to the eligible list.
PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES FOR OPEN-COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Candidates who pass Open-Competitive exams may be eligible for additional points added to their final score. Preference Points may be claimed from the time of application until 30 days after the eligible list is established. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.
U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE
Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran’s Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires.
LEGACY PREFERENCE
Ten points will be added to the scores of the children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of any candidate who has:
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Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points
For Peace Corps, such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.
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Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
Such candidates will have:
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1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
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2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
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3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
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5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE
Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date. If the 5 additional points from the CTE preference would rank a CTE graduate above a veteran, additional points shall be applied to the CTE candidate’s passing score to rank them directly below the veteran.
Candidates for Bilingual Specialty
When a single examination is announced to fill positions both in the bilingual specialty of a class and in another specialty of the same class, all candidates must take and pass all weighted parts of the same examination. All candidates who pass the weighted parts of the examination will be placed on the combined eligible list and will be eligible to fill positions in the specialty that does not require fluency in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language.
Candidates who applied for the bilingual specialty who have passed all weighted parts of the examination will be required to pass a qualifying examination as verification of their ability to communicate fluently in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language. Candidates who pass the qualifying examination will be identified on the eligible list as bilingual - fluency verified in a specified language or languages. Such candidates will be eligible to fill positions for the bilingual specialty.
Candidates who fail the bilingual qualifying examination will not be eligible to fill positions in the bilingual specialty, but will remain on the eligible list and will be eligible to fill positions in the specialty that does not require fluency in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS ON EXAMINATIONS
Candidates who have successfully passed all other parts of the Open-Competitive examination for this class who have verified ability to communicate fluently in any non-English language or in American Sign Language will have 3 points added to their final score.
Only those competitors who have a passing grade in an examination shall receive additional credits to which they may be entitled. A maximum of three points may be awarded for each examination.
To receive the additional points, the candidate must respond affirmatively that he or she is fluent in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language while preparing the application for each examination or submit a written request for the additional points for each examination at any time prior to the administration of the first part of the examination.
The Office of Human Resources will verify the candidates’ ability to communicate fluently in the non-English language or languages or in American Sign Language).
PROJECTED EXAM DATE:
MODIFIED TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
Approved applicants will receive a score of 70 and any additional preference points and be ranked on the eligible list. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.
Virtual Testing May Be Utilized For the Bilingual qualifying Examination
For the Bilingual qualifying portion of this examination, candidates who pass the training and experience examination shall be notified to appear for the qualifying part of the examination in such numbers and at such times as determined to be necessary.
Candidates taking an oral examination, for the Bilingual qualifying portion, may have their responses rated in person by a panel of Subject Matter Experts on the date of the examination, or have their responses recorded on the date of the examination and rated by Subject Matter Experts at a later date. Please refer all questions regarding this examination to the analyst listed below on the announcement.
An Eligible List will be established the week of December 1, 2025.
A Subsequent eligible list will be established the week of March 16th, 2026.
The eligible list for
June 7th, 2026 is currently pending
.
The next list date for candidates to be added to the eligible list will be
09/14/2026. Please note this date is subject to change.
TEST REVIEW:
For Training and Experience Evaluation:
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091D, candidates may review their answer sheets and other test papers to determine if they have been scored correctly or if there has been an irregularity in the administration of the examination. Candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file a written appeal. Call 215 686-0880 if you wish to schedule a test review.
For Bilingual Qualifying Oral Examination:
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091B, candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file appeals. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.11, only candidates who have failed the oral examination may appeal to the Civil Service Commission upon the grounds of irregularity, bias, or fraud in the conduct of the oral test. Issues related to the suitability or adequacy of point scores awarded to passers are not appealable to the Commission. Call 215-686-0880 if you wish to schedule a Test Review.
The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.
1. EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree in social work, social services, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, behavioral health, public health, human services, human or child development, education or a closely related field at an accredited college or university.
AND
2. EXPERIENCE:
Three years of case management work experience that has been accrued after completion of the bachelor’s degree program performing a variety of social services related to children and youth, adults and the aging, and/or correctional rehabilitation.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.
NOTE: This note does not apply to career advancement or in-position promotion. A master's degree in Social Work may be substituted for two years of experience.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in English and the designated non-English language.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class, if required by work assignment.
Ability to physically restrain youths using medically reviewed and recognized Emergency Physical Safety Intervention (EPSI) techniques in order to maintain safety and security of self and residents until assistance arrives for Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center positions only.
Ability to escort residents throughout the facility including corridors, and climbing up and down stairs as required for Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center positions only.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Social Work Services Manager 2, if required by work assignment.
Note: This is not a licensed social worker position.
Department of Human Services Positions Only
Possession of Development of Trainer (DOT) certification by the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center coordinated through DHS university is required during tenure of employment as a Social Work Services Manager 2 for employees in the Learning Specialist and Practice Coach assignments.
Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center positions:
As mandated by Pennsylvania Code Chapter 3800 governing Child Treatment Facilities, certification of completion of Crisis Intervention and Behavior Management training within 120 days of appointment and recertification on an annual basis during tenure of employment is required for the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center positions.
Note: Child Protective Service Law requires FBI criminal history background check as well as the PSP criminal history background check and Pennsylvania child abuse background check as a condition of initial employment and during tenure of employment.
NOTE: If the FBI/Pennsylvania State Police criminal background checks reveal the existence of a disqualifying offense, additional documentation must be submitted as required by the City of Philadelphia to determine eligibility for appointment to or continued employment in the class under the Child Protective Services Law.
TRANSCRIPT, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Candidates MUST submit a copy of their official college or university transcript(s) indicating completion of the educational requirement and all required licenses, registrations or certifications at the time of application. Transcripts MUST indicate conference of the appropriate degree. Candidates with a degree from foreign colleges or universities must submit proof of degree as certified by a professional evaluation service.
Candidates MUST submit a copy of their transcript, license, registration or certification.
If you have ever submitted a paper transcript, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you have to submit another document
Melanie M Chalmers
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK BLVD., Room 1530
Philadelphia PA 19102-1675
Phone: 215-686-2690
Fax: 215-686-0861
Email:
[email protected]