Overview
Community Initiatives Specialist (General) Jobs in Philadelphia, PA at City of Philadelphia
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: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service
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: www.phila.gov/humanrelations
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
- https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-human-resources/jobs/civil-service-faqs/
- www.facebook.com/PhilaOHR
- www.twitter.com/PhilaOHR
- www.youtube.com/@PhilaOHR
- www.linkedin.com/showcase/philahr
General Definition
This is community liaison and technical work assisting in the development, coordination, and implementation of departmental initiatives and service programs involving community outreach, engagement, and partnerships with external organizations and/or volunteer groups, and community stakeholders. Employees in this class may participate in recruiting, training and evaluating volunteers for a variety of departmental functions, or city programs and communicate the department’s vision and goals to volunteers. Employees perform work in the Parks and Recreation, Police Community Partnership, Department of Planning and Development, Water Environmental, Department of Labor, Free Library or Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities assignments. Employees in the Parks and Recreation assignment perform stewardship capacity-building work with volunteer groups engaged in sustaining and restoring neighborhood parks, Fairmount Park and natural environmental areas within the city. Employees in the Police Community Partnership assignment perform community engagement work to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. Employees in the Water Environmental assignment perform community liaison work explaining the impact and projections of various environmental initiatives on resident homes and neighborhoods. Employees in the Department of Planning and Development assignment monitor and coordinate housing programs in assigned neighborhood improvement areas, serving as a liaison for community participation in housing and community development programs. Employees in the Department of Planning and Development’s Division of Planning and Zoning Assignment conduct education, outreach, and engagement with communities around issues related to public art, planning, zoning, historic preservation, and development. Employees in the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disabilities assignment coordinate, plan, direct and manage the activities and operations of the Faith and Spiritual Affairs Unit. Employees in the Department of Labor Worker Protections assignment work closely with community and labor groups providing education and outreach to workers regarding the City’s worker protection ordinances. Positions may monitor the operation of volunteer or community programs to assure that volunteers and volunteer organizations or non-profit community groups are in compliance with departmental regulations and operational standards. All positions work closely with community groups, organizations, and other stakeholders, which may include volunteer agencies, individual volunteers, or labor groups to support departmental initiatives through outreach, engagement, education, partnership and where applicable volunteer programs as a significant aspect of the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.
CONTACT INFORMATION
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is
Hamid Bertal
Senior Human Resources Analyst
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: 215-686-2382
Fax: 215-686-0861
Email: [email protected]
For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at215-686-0880 or email [email protected]
Please note the application review and assessment process takes about 30 to 40 days. The Office of Human Resources is responsible for this process. It can take another 30-60 days for the interview process depending on the position you are applying for and your position/rank on the eligible list used by departments. The hiring department, not the Office of Human Resources, is responsible for this process.
Please note the Office of Human Resources offers Zoom information sessions once per month for candidates to learn more about the hiring process for City careers and connect with our team. The schedule and link for the Zoom can be found at the link below.
Info Session Registration link
Notes to Applicants and Projected Exam Information
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 REQUIREMENT
Philadelphia residency is not required to submit an application, however Applicants must have established bona fide residency in the City of Philadelphia for one year prior to 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:
- 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 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.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EVALUATION
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 October 5, 2026. 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.
Level of Education Required
College
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.
1. EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university.
AND
2. EXPERIENCE:
One-year of paid experience engaging community organizations in implementing a behavioral health program through community outreach initiatives.
OR
One year of paid experience implementing a volunteer services program or engaging community organizations and individuals in public programs and initiatives through community outreach.
OR
One year of volunteer services experience in sustaining and restoring environmental areas within a large municipal park system.
OR
One year of experience performing community liaison work that includes community meetings explaining environmental projects to city residents in affected Philadelphia neighborhoods.
OR
One year of experience for a municipal government housing development agency performing community liaison work to build capacity among community groups and monitor housing development contracts and programs.
OR
One year of paid experience providing outreach or training to the public for a government or non-profit organization related to legal rights or protections.
Note: Additional experience may substitute for the education requirements on a year for year basis.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.
NOTE: Selective Factor Certification may be utilized, as needed, to fill specific positions.
In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 11.032 – Selective Factor Certification – the appointing authority may request certification of eligible candidates with the specified training and/or experience to fill specific positions in this class. Certification to fill such position will be made from the highest ranking eligible candidates on the eligible list in accordance with the certification rule prescribed by the Director and who possess the specified qualification.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALITY
Sufficient training and/or experience to converse effectively in the designated non-English language.
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, if required by work assignment.
TRANSCRIPT, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATION 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, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you have to submit another document
Option 1 – Upload a paperless transcript, license, registration or certification – 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, license, registration or certification – 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
CONTACT INFORMATION
The analyst responsible for reviewing applications and additional documentation for this job opportunity is
Hamid Bertal
City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources
1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675
Phone:215-686-2382
Fax: 215-686-0861
Email: hamid.bertal@phila.gov
Title: Community Initiatives Specialist (General)
Company: City of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Category:
