Correctional officer

Who We Are

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer

Impact - The work you do here matters to millions.

Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it?

Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.

Benefits - We Care About Your Well-being.

The City of Philadelphia is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer.

Learn more here:

Equal Access to Civil Service Testing

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, go to:

The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodation for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources (OHR) at 215-686-2350 or by email at [email protected]. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant and OHR. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis using the required documentation that is submitted. Requests are to be made in a timely manner prior to the scheduled date of the Civil Service examination.

Only an on-line application will be accepted for this exam. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Computers are available in the 3-1-1 Walk-In Center located in Room 167 of City Hall (Weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM) and at your local Philadelphia Free Library branch.

For inquiries regarding City employment, contact the Office of Human Resources Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 4 PM by telephone at 215-686-0880 or by email at [email protected]

Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:

• work.phila.gov

General Definition

This is general duty correctional work maintaining security and discipline in a City correctional institution or police detention facility on an assigned shift. Work includes responsibility for guarding inmates at a work location, in cell blocks, transporting them from institutions to and from courts and between institutions, and in the performance of general laboring tasks as required. Work is performed under the close supervision of higher level correctional or police personnel. Work involves regular exposure to unpredictable conditions and occasionally requires the expenditure of physical effort in the restraining and subduing of prisoners.

ATTENTION: THE APPLICATION SUBMISSION PERIOD HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

HIRING BONUS

New employees are eligible for bonus of 20% of starting salary – 10% upon graduation from academy and 10% after 12 months satisfactory employment. That’s over $10,000! Employees must meet all criteria to be eligible for the bonus.

Additional Salary Information

Starting salary $52,047 during the training academy based on an 8-hour shift. Upon graduation from the academy, the salary increases to $63,758 with potential to reach up to $75,562 based on a 12-hour shift.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is:

Rashida Ximines

Office of Human Resources

City of Philadelphia

Public Safety Team

1401 JFK Boulevard, Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102

[t] 215-686-2318

[f] 215-686-2347

[e] [email protected]

Notes to Applicants and Projected Exam Information

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.

TYPE OF 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.

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 persons receiving an identical test score. For Training and Experience evaluations, in which applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination, the residency preference eligibility date is the planned eligible list date listed on this application, September 29 , 2025 .

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence later in this form. The response on this application 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.

U.S. VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Ten (10) points for veteran’s preference will be added to the scores of eligible veterans who apply for open competitive tests and pass the examination. To be eligible, the veteran must be honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces by the first date of the examination. Candidates must submit a DD214 Member-4 to the staff member listed on the announcement if they wish for their eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered and will be required to submit additional documentation.

LEGACY PREFERENCE

Ten (10) points for legacy preference will be added to the scores of the children and grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty who apply for open competitive tests and pass the examination. Candidates must submit documented proof of relationship to the deceased parent or grandparent AND the death certificate of the deceased parent or grandparent.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE

Up To Five (5) Points Will Be Added To The Scores Of Eligible National Volunteers Who Apply For Open Competitive Tests And Pass The Examination. Candidates Must Submit a Copy Of Their Service Letter To The Staff Member Listed On The Announcement If They Wish For Their Eligibility To Be Reviewed. To Be Eligible, Candidates Must Have

• Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA. Such candidates will be awarded
• Five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service.
• Three (3) points for the completion of a one-year term of service.
• Successfully completed at least 450 hours of service with AmeriCorps State and National (including Teach for America).
  
  

Such Candidates Will Have

• 1 point added to their final score if they have completed 450 Hours of the above service.
• 2 points added to their final score if they have completed 675 Hours of the above service.
• 3 points added to their final score if they have completed 900 Hours of the above service.
• 5 points added to their final score if they have completed 1700 Hours of the above service.
  
  

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PREFERENCE

For exams announced after May 1, 2023, excluding Police and Fire entry level exams, candidates who successfully pass the open-competitive examination shall have up to 5 points added to their final score in accordance with Regulation 9.0670.

• Only those competitors who have a passing grade in an all parts of the examination shall receive additional credits to which they may be entitled. The following requirements must be satisfied for a candidate to receive additional credits for examinations.
• Candidates must have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia during the three-year period immediately preceding the examination announcement open date.
• Candidates may claim the additional credit at any time after the date that the examination is announced, until 30 days after the Established List of Candidates is approved by the Director or his/her designee.
• 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 must submit adequate documentation including a high school transcript with completion of CTE Program as required by the Office of Human Resources.
  
  

Candidates must successfully pass all parts of the examination before veteran’s preference, legacy preference, national volunteer service preference or CTE preference points are awarded.

TYPE OF EXAM: 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.

An Eligible List will be established the week of September 29 , 2025 . Please note that this date may change.

CERTIFICATION RULE

Rule of List

TEST REVIEW PROCESS

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.

Level of Education Required

High School/GED

Minimum Acceptable Training And Experience

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.

• EDUCATION: Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade. AND
• AGE: Must be 20 years old at time of hire.
  
  

Physical And Medical Requirements

• Age - Must have reached twentieth (20) birthday.
• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
  
  

Required 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 appointment as a Correctional Officer if required by work assignment.
  
  

City Of Philadelphia Benefits Includes

• Medical
• Dental
• Prescription
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Hybrid Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Employee Assistant 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
• Tuition Discounts for City Employees
  
  

01

Have you completed high school or a General Education Development (GED) program?

• Yes
• No
• I am currently enrolled in high school or a General Education Development (GED) program.
  
  

Required Question