Construction Trades Inspector (Plumbing)

This is inspectional work performing building/structural, electrical or plumbing field inspections.  Work includes reviewing and interpreting approved plans, specifications and diagrams, and reviewing work for conformance with related codes, ordinances and permits. Contact with contractors, homeowners, construction managers, landlords, governmental officials and the general public is significant to the work.  Work is performed under the supervision of an administrative superior.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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

Jacky Li

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: 215-686-2371

Fax: 215-686-0861

Email: jacky.li@phila.gov

For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at 215-686-0880 or email hrhelpdesk@phila.gov.

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 for one year prior to appointment. Establishment of residency in Philadelphia will be required no later than one (1) year after 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 shall have priority over all other people receiving an identical test score. 

To receive such preference, candidates must respond to the question regarding residence on this application. This response 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.

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.

PREFERENCE POINTS FOR CANDIDATES 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. The required documentation for the preference must be provided to receive the points.

U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Ten points will be added to the scores of eligible veterans. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, or NGB-22 to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed.  Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered. Veteran’s Points may be claimed at any time before the list expires. 

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 to the score of any candidate who has:

A. Successfully completed a term of volunteer service with Peace Corps, AmeriCorps NCCC (including FEMA Corps), or AmeriCorps VISTA are eligible for additional points.

For Peace Corps, such candidates will be awarded five (5) points for the completion of a two-year term of service or 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: 

PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREFERENCE

Up to 5 points will be added to the score of candidates who have completed and graduated from a career technical education (CTE) program of the School District of Philadelphia within the last three years before the examination announcement date. 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.

IF A COMPUTER-BASED MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM IS HELD:
PROJECTED EXAM DATE:
This examination will be scheduled for August 26, 2026. Please note that this examination date is subject to change. 

Candidates will need access to a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and internet access to take the examination. Candidates will need to be able to operate computerized software proficiently and independently. 

If you do not have access to a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam and internet access, or cannot operate computerized software proficiently and independently, please contact Jacky Li at jacky.li@phila.gov and alternative arrangements will be made for you to take this examination.

IF A TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION IS HELD:

Applicants will be evaluated and scored based upon their training and experience credentials. Applicants will not be asked to appear to take a scheduled examination.

Scores in the Training and Experience Evaluation will be based on documentation of education and experience provided by the candidate. To receive full credit for your education and experience, you should submit all relevant documentation including college transcripts, licenses, certifications, paid out of class documentation, etc. and provide a detailed description of your education, experience, and credentials.

An Eligible List will be established the week of September 7, 2026.  Please note that this date may change.

TEST REVIEW:

IF A COMPUTER-BASED MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM IS HELD:
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.091B, candidates will have 30 days after the results have been mailed to review their test and to file appeals to the key answers. Call 215-686-0880 if you wish to schedule a Test Review.

IF A TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION IS HELD:

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.

High School/GEDThe 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.

PLUMBING SPECIALTY

Option 1:
1. EDUCATION:
Completion of the twelfth school grade.  
AND

2. GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Four years of building trades experience in the area of specialization. 
AND

3. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of building trades experience at the full-performance level in the area of specialization.

OR

Option 2:
1. EDUCATION:
Completion of a two-year program at a technical school or institute with major course work in plumbing.
AND

2. GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of building trades experience in the area of specialization.
AND

3. SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of building trades experience at the full-performance level in the area of specialization.  

OR
Any equivalent combination of acceptable education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included the specific experience described above.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

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 employment as a Construction Trades Inspector if required by work assignment.   

Possession of a Master Plumber's license issued by the City of Philadelphia within six months of appointment during tenure of employment as a Construction Trades Inspector for the Plumbing specialty.  
Certification by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry in accordance with the PA Uniform Construction Code in the category of Plumbing Inspector for the Plumbing specialty within six months of appointment for positions located in the Department of Licenses & Inspections.

Completion of course work or continuing education credits necessary to maintain certification during tenure of employment as a Construction Trades Inspector for positions located in the Department of Licenses & Inspections.

TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS: 

Candidates MUST submit a copy of their official college or university transcript(s) indicating completion of the educational requirement and all required licenses, registrations or certifications at the time of application. Transcripts MUST indicate conference of the appropriate degree. Candidates with a degree from foreign colleges or universities must submit proof of degree as certified by a professional evaluation service.

If you have ever submitted a paper transcript for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must submit another document

Option 1 - Upload a paperless transcript – One time only!

You may upload documents into your account and attach a document with this application.  Once the document is uploaded to your account, it may be attached to all future applications. Attaching your document will save you time and money if you apply for an examination in the future, and you will be assured that your transcript cannot be misplaced.

Your documents should be uploaded and attached to your application before it is submitted. They cannot be uploaded or added to your application electronically after your application has been submitted.

Option 2 – Submit a paper transcript – Separate document required for each application

If you submit a paper copy of a transcript, license, registration or certification, the document will be used for this application only. You will have to submit documents again whenever you apply for an examination in the future. Paper documents will not be retained and will not be returned to applicants.

Mailing address for paper transcript and other required materials: 

Jacky Li

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Salary : $62,434 - $70,237