Correctional Officer (General)

Philadelphia University; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Philadelphia Department of Prisons as a Correctional Officer. This role offers a starting salary of $52,047 during training, increasing to $63,758 upon graduation. Enjoy benefits like free SEPTA rides and tuition discounts. Make a significant impact on your community while advancing your career.

Benefits

Free Commute on SEPTA

Tuition Discounts and Scholarships

Qualifications

• Must be at least 20 years old at time of hire.
• Ability to physically perform duties in a correctional environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain security and discipline in correctional facilities.
• Guard inmates and transport them as required.

Skills

Communication

Physical Fitness

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Exam Title

Exam Title Correctional Officer (General)

Exam Number

Exam Number 5H04-20250512-OC-00

Salary $63,758-$75,562 after completing the 11-week training program. While in the training program, new hires will be paid $52,047 on an 8-hour shift. After graduation, the salary increases to $63,758 based on a 12-hour shift. 20% Hiring Bonus!

Certification Rule

Certification Rule Rule of List

Competition

Competition Open-Competitive

Department

Announcement Date

Announcement Date 05/12/2025

Close Date

Close Date 06/22/2025

General Definition

If you have completed high school or a GED program and are at least age 20, you can apply today to start your City career as a Correctional Officer with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons.
No City residency required!

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.

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

Make an impact on our community and serve to provide safe, lawful and humane correctional facilities as a Correctional Officer. The City offers room for advancement and competitive health benefits.
For more information on the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, visit https://www.phila.gov/departments/philadelphia-department-of-prisons.

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee!

• Enjoy a Free Commute on SEPTA – Eligible City employees will no longer have to worry about paying for SEPTA public transportation. Whether you’re a full-time, part-time, or provisional employee, you can seize the opportunity to sign up for the SEPTA Key Advantage Program and receive free Key Cards for free rides on SEPTA buses, trains, trolleys, and regional rails.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships – The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

ABOUT THE POSITION

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.

Union Code

Union Code I. AFSCME D.C.33 Correctional Classes

FLSA Code

FLSA Code Non-Exempt

Application Procedures

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA APPLICATION INFORMATION

Thank you for your interest in employment with the City of Philadelphia. Please refer to the important information below regarding this job opportunity.

1. You must complete the entire application process, provide accurate and up to date contact information, and submit all certifications, required licenses, and relevant documentation with each application or email the documents as an attachment to the Human Resources Representative listed below prior to the date of the exam.

2. 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

3. For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email [e-mail]

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.

1. EDUCATION
Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

2. AGE
Must be 20 years old at time of hire.

Physical & 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 & Certifications

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.

Other Requirements

Equivalency Statement(s)

Notes to Applicants

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: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service


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 [e-mail] . For more information, go to: www.phila.gov/humanrelations

The City of Philadelphia is committed to ensuring access to Civil Service examinations by providing appropriate accommodations for candidates with documented medical or religious reasons. Candidates may request an accommodation for a Civil Service examination by contacting the Office of Human Resources at 215-686-2350 or by email at [e-mail]. The accommodation process is interactive and requires cooperation and communication between the applicant requesting a test accommodation 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.

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.

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 [e-mail]

ALL Applications must be received by the end of business on June 22, 2025.

Your application will be rejected, and you will be disqualified from competing in this examination if you:

1) Do not provide your complete and accurate social security number.
2) Attempt to practice fraud or deception in the preparation of this application.


All correspondence and notifications will be sent to your e-mail address or postal address listed in the contact information (address, phone #, e-mail) of your account profile. Your contact information will be automatically updated each time you submit an application for employment. It is your responsibility to change your contact information and to ensure that it is correct.

If you provide an e-mail address, all correspondence regarding this examination will be sent to you by e-mail. You should add [e-mail] to your address book or list of trusted contacts to prevent notices from being marked as spam by your e-mail provider.

Please call the Office of Human Resources at 215-686-0880 or email [e-mail] if you have any questions.

Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at various social media sites. We can be found as Philadelphia Office of Human Resources. The pages for each are linked below:

Facebook

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.

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.


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, June 30, 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:

A. 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.

B. 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.

Projected Exam Date

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 June 30, 2025. 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.

Assigned to (view only)

Assigned to

Parts & Weights

Part

Part Training & Experience Evaluation

Weight

Weight 100%

Required DocumentsOptional Documents

DD-214

Volunteer Service Documentation

Legacy Preference Documentation

Licenses, Registrations and/or Certificates 1

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Have you completed high school or a General Education Development (GED) program?
  • Yes
  • I am currently enrolled in high school or a General Education Development (GED) program.
  • No
• * How did you hear about this job opportunity?
  • Airport
  • Billboard
  • Campus recruiting
  • Career/Job Fair
  • Community College of Philadelphia Recruitment
  • Congreso
  • City Councilperson's Office
  • City Department advertisement or event
  • Current City Employee
  • Facebook, Twitter or other social media
  • Fire Department recruiting
  • Family/Friend
  • Free Library
  • Handshake
  • Job Interest Card Notification
  • Job Posting Websites (Indeed, Career Builder, Monster.com)
  • LinkedIn job posting
  • Office of Human Resources website/ Phila.gov/Jobs
  • Office of Human Resources Recruitment Team
  • OHR Mobile Recruitment (RV)
  • ONE STOP Job & Resource Hub
  • Orleans Technical Institute
  • PA CareerLink
  • Philadelphia Police Department website/ recruiting
  • Philadelphia School District CTE Recruitment
  • Philly311 (walk-in center or on-line)
  • Print Advertisement (Newspaper or Flyer)
  • SEPTA/transit
  • TV/Radio Advertisement
  • Water Department recruitment event
  • Other
• * The location that you are applying from is:
  • Free Library
  • Recreation Center
  • Home/Work/School/Mobile device
  • 311 Walk-In Center (City Hall)
  • OHR Mobile Recruitment Vehicle/Hiring Bus
  • Other

Office of Human Resources
1401 John F Kennedy Blvd,
Philadelphia, PA 19102

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