This is technical work performing a variety of assignments in support of engineering, scientific and medical projects in the Health or Water Departments. Employees perform such assignments as water quality investigations, collecting and evaluating water, wastewater and sludge samples, preparing preliminary mechanical, electrical or electronic designs and plans and making minor changes to designs and plans when necessitated by operational efficiency and field conditions for Water Sampling specialty. Employees in the Medical Laboratory Specialty work in the Health Department and perform work in a Health Center collecting blood and body fluids from patients to conduct biochemical, microbiological or serological testing, or in the Public Health laboratory conducting diversified clinical testing including validating, evaluating and interpreting laboratory results or in the Medical Examiner’s Office testing and interpreting autopsy specimens or in the Air Management Services Division monitoring the city's ambient air and analyzing samples for pollutants of concern under city, state, and federal air regulations.
The employees perform these assignments in support of engineering or technical staff in a water or wastewater plant, or in support of engineering, scientific, medical or technical staff engaged in laboratory testing and analysis for a Health or Water Department laboratory, or in research and development or a related function. This class differs from similar classes by the diversity of the assignments. Work may involve shift work and disagreeable aspects. Work is performed under the supervision of an engineering, scientific, medical, administrative or technical superior.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is
Shar Nyinyi
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675
Phone: 215-686-2349
Fax: 215-686-0861
For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email
[email protected].
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.
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 WAIVER:
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.
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:
A. 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.
B. 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.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION:
Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.
Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out of class documentation, etc. and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.
An Eligible List will be established the week of September 14, 2026. Please note that this date may change.
TEST REVIEW:
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.
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.
WATER SAMPLING SPECIALTY:
Option 1
EDUCATION:
Completion of a two-year program at a technical institute or an accredited college or university with major course work in water, engineering, construction, architectural or medical technology, engineering, biology, chemistry, or environmental studies.
OR
Option 2
EDUCATION:
Completion of a one-year course (30 credits) in the areas named above at a technical institute or an accredited college or university which has included satisfactory completion of a minimum of six credit hours in one of the areas listed above.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
One year performing chemical or bacteriological tests, operating and maintaining water chemical laboratory instrumentation, or full performance level drafting work, preparing detailed maps, drawings, plans and designs.
OR
Option 3
EDUCATION:
Education equivalent to completion of twelfth school grade and satisfactory completion of a formal internship program designed by the City of Philadelphia.
AND
EXPERIENCE:
Two years of engineering and sciences technician work at the trainee level.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources which has included completion of one year of post high school training at an accredited technical institute or college as specified above or an internship program specified above as an educational minimum.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 - Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with one or more of the required degrees to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such positions will be made from of the highest ranking eligible candidates in accordance with the certification rule on the eligible list who possess the specified degree.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
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 Science Technician if required by work assignment.
Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Registry, American Medical Technologist (AMT), or equivalent recognized accrediting body during tenure as a Science Technician in the Medical Laboratory Specialty is required for positions in the Public Health Laboratory assignment.
TRANSCRIPT 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.
If you have ever submitted a paper transcript for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must submit another document
Option 1 - Upload a paperless transcript – One time only!
You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application. Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future, and you will be assured that your transcript cannot be misplaced.
Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.
Option 2 – Submit a paper transcript – Separate document required for each application
If you submit a paper copy of a transcript, the document will be used for this application only. You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.
Mailing address for paper transcript and other required materials:
Shar Nyinyi
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675
