What are the responsibilities and job description for the Correctional Officer position at Philadelphia, City of (PA)?
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.
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.
Learn what it’s like to work for the City of Philadelphia and the Department of Prisons.
You Make Philadelphia Work - Prisons Department
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] Rashida.Ximines@Phila.gov
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.
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, May 18, 2026.
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
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) PREFERENCE
An Eligible List will be established the week of May 18, 2026. Please note that this date may change.
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.High School/GED
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 AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
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 INFORMATIONNew 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.
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.
Learn what it’s like to work for the City of Philadelphia and the Department of Prisons.
You Make Philadelphia Work - Prisons Department
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] Rashida.Ximines@Phila.gov
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.
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, May 18, 2026.
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.
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 (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
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.
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 May 18, 2026. Please note that this date may change.
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.
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 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.
- 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.
Salary : $63,758 - $75,562