The City of Philadelphia employs more than 30,000 people in careers that support residents every day. Many of these roles are civil service positions, which follow a competitive and merit-based hiring process designed to ensure fairness and transparency.
This guide explains what civil service jobs are, how the hiring process works, and how to stay informed about job openings.
What is a civil service job?
City jobs fall into two categories.
Civil service positions
Civil service jobs require candidates to take and pass a competitive exam. These roles follow Civil Service Regulations and are filled from eligible lists created through testing.
Most civil service jobs require Philadelphia residency for one year prior to appointment. Some positions have residency requirements waived, which will be noted in the job announcement.
Non-Civil service positions
Non-civil service jobs do not require an exam. Employees must move to Philadelphia within six months of appointment.
Both types of jobs are posted on the City’s online job board.
How to apply
You apply for City jobs and civil service exams through the City’s online job board.
Each job announcement includes:
- Minimum education and experience requirements
- Residency rules or waivers
- Exam type and testing information
- Salary and benefits
Every two weeks, the City publishes a Job Opportunities bulletin listing the civil service exams currently open for applications.
Who can take a civil service exam?
Anyone who meets the published minimum qualifications listed in the job announcement may apply.
After you apply, the Office of Human Resources reviews your application. Qualified applicants are approved to take the exam and notified of testing details. Applicants are encouraged to provide clear and complete information about their education and work experience.
What does “equivalent combination” mean?
Some job announcements include an equivalency statement. This allows the Office of Human Resources to accept substitutions for required education or experience.
Equivalency statements may allow:
- Substitution of experience for education
- Substitution of education for experience
- A combination of education and experience
If no equivalency statement is included, applicants must meet all listed requirements exactly. The Office of Human Resources determines which substitutions are acceptable.
Types of exams
Each job announcement explains the exam format. Exams may include written tests, job simulations, oral exams, reviews of education and experience, or multi-part assessments.
Applicants must pass the required exam to be placed on an eligible list for hiring.
Eligible lists and hiring
If you pass a civil service exam, your name may be placed on an eligible list, which can remain active for up to two years.
Types of eligible lists include:
- Open-competitive, open to the public
- Promotional, open to current City civil service employees
- Department-only promotional
- Concurrent, with separate lists for public and current employees
Promotional lists are used before open-competitive lists when both exist.
Preferences and additional exam points
Certain candidates may qualify for hiring preferences or additional points on open-competitive civil service exams.
Philadelphia residency preference
Candidates who have maintained a bona fide Philadelphia residence for at least one year prior to the exam date receive priority over non-residents with the same exam score. Applicants must answer the residency question on the application. Documentation may be required.
Veterans’ preference
Eligible veterans who pass an open-competitive exam receive 10 additional points added to their score. Veterans must have been honorably discharged and provide required documentation. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be eligible.
Other preference points
Additional points may be available for:
- Children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Police Officers or Firefighters who died in the line of duty
- Qualifying national volunteer service, including Peace Corps and AmeriCorps programs
- Graduates of School District of Philadelphia career and technical education programs within the past three years
All preference points require documentation and are applied according to City and state rules.
Get notified about civil service job openings
You can sign up to be notified when a new civil service job is posted.
Visit the job class specifications page to find the position you are interested in and submit the interest form. The Office of Human Resources will notify you when a new opening becomes available.
Learn more and stay connected
To learn more about working for the City of Philadelphia, visit work.phila.gov. The site includes information about careers, benefits, and the hiring process.
