Come work for the City.
Bring the best of yourself to make Philly the best it can be.
Featured Job
Make a positive impact on our communities and provide safe, lawful and humane correctional facilities as a Correctional Officer.
Apply today and you could make over $70K your first year
Limited time waived resident requirement.
Mayor Parker’s Message About Working Purposefully
“Together, we’re creating a future for Philly that’s safer, cleaner, and greener for everyone… We’re looking for people excited by what Philly can become. If that’s you, and you want your time, your talent and your energy to really mean something, join us.”
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker
What it Takes to Work Meaningfully
Understand the Application Process
STEP 1
You submit your application!
STEP 2
We review every application.
STEP 3
Some positions include job-related skills testing.
STEP 4
Hiring managers select candidates to interview.
STEP 5
We make a job offer.
STEP 6
If the offer is accepted, we complete a background check.
STEP 7
Hired!
Hear From Your Neighbors Working Successfully
Our Most Asked Questions Answered
ABOUT APPLICATIONS
Why should I apply for a job with the City of Philadelphia?
Working here means doing fulfilling and meaningful work. On day one, employees become an important part of our mission. A mission to build, protect and improve every community in Philly.
Every City worker is valued. Police officers, firefighters, building inspectors, public health professionals, engineers, tradespeople, and more.
If you want to make our vision for the future of Philadelphia possible, this is the place to be. If you want to support residents and communities, you can do that here. And you can see the impact you’re making, every day.
The City of Philadelphia offers dependable, well-paying jobs. Jobs that come with great benefits and great opportunities for growth. And you do work you can feel proud of.
I heard City jobs don’t pay well, is that true?
That is definitely not true. All our jobs offer good starting salaries with room to grow. We also offer clear paths to promotion and lots of chances to learn and develop.
Maybe you’re just starting out. Or, you are thinking about making a career change. Or, you are looking to bring years of skill and experience to somewhere new. Wherever you are, our salaries are competitive with the private sector. And our benefits are often much better.
What if I get a job, but then see another City job I want?
Working at the City of Philadelphia is like working for a big collection of very different companies. So, if employees see a job in another department or division that looks interesting, they can apply for it.
That’s because a big City like ours is always changing. Residents and communities need improvements. New laws and regulations happen. Technology changes. And, we change too! That's why we need workers who are interested in learning new skills.
People should be able to grow and apply for jobs in new areas. Because when careers grow, Philadelphia grows with them.
Is working for the City of Philadelphia hard?
The work can certainly be challenging. At the City of Philadelphia we do not build widgets, we build communities. We don’t assemble consumer goods. Our work supports people’s hopes and dreams, so they can thrive, grow, learn, love and make a life.
It’s not easy making the future brighter for everyone – but we’re excited by what this city can become. So, even when it’s hard, we know we’re building something great. That makes it worthwhile.
How do I know that working for the City of Philadelphia is for me?
You have your own plans, hopes and dreams. We get that. And, if they include a Philly that’s modern, clean, green, safe and buzzing with excitement, then working here sounds like a good fit.
It's not all about degrees, experience or training, it’s about you and what you want. It’s about what you can do and what makes you stand out. If you can see a great future for this City then it sounds like you should think about joining us.
I’m just starting out, do you offer apprenticeships or internships?
We do! Our paid internships offer a minimum of $15 an hour to selected interns. Some departments – like the Water Department and Fleet Services – will put up job postings for open apprenticeship positions.
There’s also the Mayor’s Internship Program (MIP) to consider. It’s a 10-week paid summer internship that runs from June to August. Each year, 50 college students are selected by the Office of Talent & Employee Success. They get assigned to one of over 40 City agencies for the summer.
The internship requires 25 to 37.5 hours per week, depending on the department's needs. It includes valuable weekly professional development sessions and group projects. Each year, interns complete a group or community project. And, at the closing ceremony, they present their findings to the mayor or senior leadership
Interns are also invited to take part in the My Philly Summer program with Campus Philly.
Does the City offer a veterans' preference?
Yes! For Civil Service positions, veterans get extra points added to their exam score. And, in recognition of their service, they may get preference in hiring decisions.
What if I was educated outside of the U.S.?
That is ok! If your job application includes education from outside of the United States (U.S.) it will need to be verified. This can be done by a professional credentialing organization. You can find one the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website.
It is your responsibility to verify your non-U.S. education has been properly verified.
I have a criminal conviction. Does that mean I can’t apply?
Not at all. Even with a conviction, most people can apply and have an equal chance to be interviewed and hired.
Of course, for some positions, a candidate’s criminal history may be relevant to the position. These can include jobs in public safety and law enforcement, or that involve contact with vulnerable populations.
For most other positions, job applications do NOT include questions about criminal history. We only inquire about criminal history after the initial interview, and we may conduct a criminal history check before making a job offer. However, having a previous conviction does not mean an applicant won’t receive an offer.
If you, or anyone you know, has a question about other jobs or reintegrating into Philly life, you can contact the City of Philadelphia's Office of Reentry Partnerships.
Ok, I’m interested. How do I apply?
Every open job is listed at phila.gov/jobs.
There, you can search by job title, whether the job requires a degree or not, if a position is permanent, temporary, or an internship, and other filters. Some job titles can seem unfamiliar or complicated, and you might have to read the job description to discover if it’s right for you. Don’t let those titles stop you from searching!
If you're interested in a specific Civil Service job but it isn’t hiring right now, you can sign up to be notified when a new position opens.
For all of our jobs, you must apply online. If you don’t have a computer, you can use one at any local Free Library of Philadelphia branch. When you’re ready, just go to phila.gov/jobs.
Once you find an opening that sounds interesting, click or tap on it. There, you’ll see the full job description. That includes education, experience, or other requirements, salary and benefits information, and more!
Ready to apply? Click or tap the button at the top of the job page to get started. If it’s your first time applying for a job at the City, you’ll be asked to create an account. Just fill in some basic information to get started. You can also upload your resume, if you have one ready.
Give yourself time! Some positions ask for a lot of detail. Make sure you put aside enough time to answer the questions fully and accurately. For some positions, you might have to provide information about certifications or training, certain documents, and more.
At the end of the process, you’ll have a chance to check your application for errors and make any changes. Then hit submit!
ABOUT BENEFITS
Does working for the City of Philadelphia come with good benefits?
One way that we show our employees how important they are is through our benefits package. Those benefits include affordable health coverage and generous paid time off. As well as free SEPTA, wellness programs and excellent retirement benefits.
In fact, we have benefits and perks that work for whatever stage of life you’re in. These benefits are available to all permanent, eligible City employees. However, specific plans and coverage may vary based on your role or job.
You can read more about employee benefits here.
What kind of health benefits do you have?
For active employees, we offer:
- Medical
- Prescription
- Dental
- Vision
- Wellness program
- Employee assistance program
- Life and accident insurance
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Dependent Care spending account (DSA)
And we have a strong benefits package for our retirees. This package (in addition to any pension or other benefits) offers five years of retirement health benefits, after 10 years of service.
What about paid time off?
Paid time off means freedom to spend time with friends and family, take vacations, or do what you like to do most. It also provides financial protection if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Even in your first year of employment, paid time off currently includes:
- 13 City holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving
- 10 vacation days
- 5 administrative leave days to spend as you choose, once approved
- 15 sick days
- Up to 8 weeks of paid parental leave
What about special or unexpected perks?
We have those too! One of the most exciting is the City’s Turn The Key program. We’re working with developers to build more affordable workforce housing. As this new housing becomes available, Turn The Key will give buying preference to City employees. The program also has funding to assist qualifying buyers to purchase their first home!
Does the City offer any assistance for college loan repayments?
Yes, we do! City of Philadelphia employees can enroll in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. In fact, hundreds of employees have already achieved student loan forgiveness.
Is it true employees can ride on SEPTA for free?
Yes! The SEPTA Key Advantage program instantly became one of our most popular benefits ever. Full-time, part-time, or even provisional employees can sign up for the program. And receive free Key cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
Do you offer on-the-job training?
Yes. In fact, we are proud to offer on-the-job training for many positions at the City. Some departments offer apprenticeships. And City employees have ample opportunities for ongoing training and development. And we're excited about our City College for Municipal Employment, coming soon!
What if I’m interested in continuing my education?
Learning is a lifelong ambition that we are happy to support. The City of Philadelphia has partnerships with colleges and universities across our area. And, employees have access to tuition discounts and scholarships. That can mean savings of 10% to 40% on educational expenses. In some cases, it can include your spouse and any dependents too!
Find out more through the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.
Do you offer other wellness programs?
We do! We have lifestyle and wellness program partners including health counselors, financial specialists, legal services, and more.
That includes our new On The Goga Program! We’re partnering with Philadelphia-based and certified women-owned organizational wellbeing company, On the Goga. It's a new platform focused on emotional, physical, nutritional, financial, and community wellbeing.
Are there any benefits or programs for people taking care of children, the elderly, or other family members in need of care at home?
Yes there are! Beginning August 1st, 2024, the City of Philadelphia is introducing both a Backup Care Program, and Dependent Care Accounts.
Backup Care Programs assist employees in taking care of their children during certain work-related activities. We want our working parents to be as productive and secure as possible. Backup Care helps to make that happen. All caregivers are vetted, qualified and experienced nannies and babysitters.
Dependent Care Accounts allow employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care expenses. It can be for a child under age 13, a disabled spouse, or qualifying older parents. Using pre-tax dollars can save hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars a year on qualifying care expenses. Including after-school care, disabled dependent care expenses, elder care, and much more.
Anything else I should know about?
Depending on the position, you might be in a represented union health plan or the city administered plan. If so, additional benefits might be available to you. Your human resources contact will give you all the information you need to know.