Departmental Worker (General)

About the Role

This is routine work in a City department performing, on an assigned shift, any of a variety of facilitating tasks essential to:

• the care of patients, infirm individuals, or infants;
• the preparation and service of food;
• the performance of non-technical duties in a laboratory;
• the custodial care of buildings and grounds;
• the operation of a variety of laundry machinery and equipment; or
• the protection of buildings, materials, and equipment against fire, trespass, and theft.

Work is performed under the supervision of an operations or a maintenance supervisor and involves physical effort and some disagreeable conditions.

Requirements

Minimum Training and Experience

The following standards will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Candidates must meet requirements within 30 days after the last date for filing applications.

• Education: Ability to read and write English.
• Physical and Medical Requirements: Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Note: Completion of the tenth school grade may be desirable for positions in Health, Police, and Water Department.

Benefits

The City of Philadelphia offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Hybrid Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation leave
• Paid personal days
• 8 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Backup Child and Adult care
• Wellbeing platform and programs
• Retiree Health Benefits
• Qualified Student Loan Forgiveness Employer (Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program)
• Tuition discounts for City employees

Residency and Preferences

Residency Requirement: Philadelphia residency is not required to submit an application. However, applicants must have established bona fide residency in the City of Philadelphia for one year prior to 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 will have priority over all other persons receiving an identical test score.

Preference Points 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. Required documentation must be provided to receive the points.

• U.S. Veteran’s Preference: Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Documentation (DD214, member 4, or NGB-22) must be attached to the application.
• 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 for candidates who have completed a term of service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA, or at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
• Philadelphia School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) Preference: Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a CTE program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date.

Exam and Hiring Process

• Approved applicants will receive a score of 70 and any additional preference points and be ranked on the eligible list.
• An Eligible List will be established the week of October 19th, 2026 (date subject to change).
• The application review and assessment process takes about 30 to 40 days.
• The interview process may take an additional 30-60 days, depending on the position and rank on the eligible list.
• Candidates may review their test papers within 30 days after results are mailed to check for scoring accuracy or irregularities.

Indebtedness Notice

As a condition of employment, any person offered employment must certify that they are fully current on all debts, taxes, fees, judgments, claims, and other accounts due and owing to the City of Philadelphia or the Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW). If not, they must voluntarily enter into a payment agreement. Failure to comply will result in cancellation of the appointment.