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City of Philadelphia

Trades Helper (HVAC)

City of Philadelphia
PhiladelphiaFull TimeMid-level45k–50k USDPosted Today

Posting number: 7H01-20260803-OC-07

Department: PHL Dept of Aviation

Job classification: Trades Helper

Posting type: Open Competitive

Categories: Trades, Construction Trades

Summary

This is routine work assisting a full performance worker in a specific trade as listed above.  Tasks become more complex as the helper progresses in skill. Assignments are well defined in nature.  An employee in this class is expected to perform assignments according to detailed instructions.  Work involves moderate physical efforts on a continuous basis and some undesirability working conditions that can be controlled by precautionary methods or devices. Work is performed under the continuous supervision of a full-performance trades superior.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

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

Jenna R. Smith

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone:215-686-0874

Fax: 215-686-0861

Email: jenna.smith@phila.gov


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

Examples of dutiesELIGIBLE LIST
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 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.

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:

  1. 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.  

  1. 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.


PROJECTED EXAM DATE:
This examination will be scheduled for September 9, 2026Please note that this examination date is subject to change.

Candidates will need access to a desktop computer or laptop with internet access to take the examination. If you do not have internet access, please contact the analyst listed on this announcement and alternative arrangements will be made for you to take this examination.

An Eligible List will be established the week of September 21, 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. QualificationsHigh School/GED Supplemental informationThe 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 (9/15/2026) after the last date for filing applications.

1. EDUCATION:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth school grade.

AND

2. EXPERIENCE:
Six months of experience in the trade specialty.

NOTE:  Successful completion of a certified apprenticeship program or completion of a Philadelphia School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in the trade specialty as determined by the Office of Human Resources may be substituted for the six months of experience.


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 Trades Helper.



TRANSCRIPT, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

Candidates MUST submit a copy of their license, registration or certification.

If you have ever submitted a paper transcript, license, registration or certification for any City of Philadelphia civil service examination, you must 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:  


Jenna R. Smith

City of Philadelphia – Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: 215-686-0874

Fax: 215-686-0861

Email: jenna.smith@phila.gov

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Trades Helper (HVAC) at City of Philadelphia