Posting number: 9D10-20260817-OC-99
Department: PPR Parks and Recreation
Job classification: Recreation Leader Trainee
Posting type: Open Competitive
Categories: Facility Management, Public Relations, Parks and Recreation, Arts, Design, Entertainment & Media, Program Management
This is entry-level recreation work. Employees in this class learn to administer a limited program of activities for the public and provide recreational services and facilities for organized groups. Work includes responsibility for the organization and implementation of assigned programs and for participating with other recreation personnel in providing recreation services. Employees in this class may perform recreation program assignments for a large residential institution or correctional system. Determining community recreation needs and interests, promoting programs, learning how to manage funds to support program needs, and motivating participation are of major significance to the work. As the training period progresses, the employee is assigned work of greater complexity and responsibility. Duties require scheduled evening and weekend work and moderate physical effort. Work is performed under the supervision of a recreation center supervisor.
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 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:
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.
CANDIDATES FOR BILINGUAL SPECIALTY:
When a single examination is announced to fill positions both in the bilingual specialty of a class and in another specialty of the same class, all candidates must take and pass all weighted parts of the same examination. All candidates who pass the weighted parts of the examination will be placed on the combined eligible list and will be eligible to fill positions in the specialty that does not require fluency in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language.
Candidates who applied for the bilingual specialty who have passed all weighted parts of the examination will be required to pass a qualifying examination as verification of their ability to communicate fluently in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language. Candidates who pass the qualifying examination will be identified on the eligible list as bilingual - fluency verified in a specified language or languages. Such candidates will be eligible to fill positions for the bilingual specialty.
Candidates who fail the bilingual qualifying examination will not be eligible to fill positions in the bilingual specialty, but will remain on the eligible list and will be eligible to fill positions in the specialty that does not require fluency in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS ON EXAMINATIONS FOR BILINGUAL SPECIALTY:
Candidates who have successfully passed all other parts of the Open-Competitive examination for this class who have verified ability to communicate fluently in any non-English language or in American Sign Language will have 3 points added to their final score
Only those competitors who have a passing grade in an examination shall receive additional credits to which they may be entitled. A maximum of three points may be awarded for each examination.
To receive the additional points, the candidate must respond affirmatively that he or she is fluent in a Non-English language or in American Sign Language while preparing the application for each examination or submit a written request for the additional points for each examination at any time prior to the administration of the first part of the examination.
The Office of Human Resources will verify the candidates’ ability to communicate fluently in the non-English language or languages or in American Sign Language.
PROJECTED EXAM DATE:
This examination will be scheduled for September 30, 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.
An Eligible List will be established the week of October 12, 2026 Please note that this date may change.
TEST REVIEW:
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.
College
ANTICIPATED ELIGIBILITY:
Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements within nine (9) months of the application deadline will be admitted to this examination. Candidates may not be hired until all requirements have been satisfied. Candidates must indicate their anticipated graduation date.
1. EDUCATION:
Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in recreation, education, ethnic studies, social work, park management, public administration, childhood development, exercise science, kinesiology, sport and leisure management, and visual and performing arts or a closely related field.
NOTE: Completion of an industry recognized certification or additional experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis.
NOTE: Completion of any bachelor’s degree program and the completion of the equivalent of two years of experience or 3 seasons (of at least 6 months each) leading participants in recreation sports leagues, day camps, aquatics, or other organized recreational, environmental, or cultural activities for the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Parks and Recreation meets the requirements.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable to the Office of Human Resources.
IN THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY:
Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to understand and speak fluently and clearly in a 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.
TRANSCRIPT 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 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, 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
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