Philadelphia Crisis Line Counselor 1

Salary: $58,640.00 - $75,394.00 Annually
Location : Philadelphia, PA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 5E06-20260608-OC-00
Department: DBH Behav Hlth ID Svcs
Org in Which Employee is Assigned: DBH Mental Health Services
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: 6/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: J
Competition: Open Competitive
Residency Waiver: No Waiver
Certification Rule: Rule of 7
1. Parts: Virtual Oral Exam
1. Weight: 100%
2. Parts: Qualifying Oral Exam
2. Weight: 100%
3. Parts: N/A
3. Weight: N/A
Salary Range: EP18
Additional Salary Information: Starting Salary - New employees may be appointed at a step in the pay range above the minimum salary depending on qualifications.


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:


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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io. For more information, go to:

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io

Information concerning employment with the City of Philadelphia may be found at:

General Definition
This is full performance mental health work consulting, advising, and providing mental and behavioral health crisis and suicide intervention in a twenty-four hour, seven days a week crisis call center. Employees in this class provide evidence-informed crisis intervention, suicide prevention, information and referral, and follow-up services to individuals in emotional distress who contact the Philadelphia Crisis Line. Employees in this class provide a facilitative service to the general public, system partners and healthcare professionals on matters pertaining to evaluation, placement, and treatment. Significant aspects of the work include authorizing legal warrants for involuntary psychiatric evaluation and commitment requests. Work also involves deploying resources and formulating recommendations and positive interventions for a variety of situations which may be deemed as a threat to life or public safety. Work is performed under the supervision of a technical superior.
CONTACT INFORMATION

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

City of Philadelphia - Office of Human Resources

1401 JFK Blvd., Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102-1675

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io
For all other inquiries please contact Customer Service at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io

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 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.
U.S. VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Ten points for veteran's preference will be added to the scores of eligible veterans who apply for Open-Competitive tests and pass the examination. You must be honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Attach a DD214, member 4, to your application if you wish your eligibility to be reviewed. Spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also be considered.
LEGACY PREFERENCE
The children or grandchildren of Philadelphia Firefighters or Police Officers who were killed or died in the line of duty shall be accorded a preference in Open-Competitive civil service entrance examinations. Candidates who qualify for this preference and who take and pass Open-Competitive civil service examinations shall have ten points added to their final score. The candidate must successfully pass all parts of the examination before points are awarded.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SERVICE PREFERENCE

Up to 5 additional points will be added to the examination score of any candidate who has passed the Open-Competitive examination and 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.
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
Only those competitors who have a passing grade in 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 high school transcript with completion of CTE Program as required by the Office of Human Resources.

Exam Schedule/Type
This is an Oral examination and will be scheduled for the week of 07/27/2026. Please note that this examination date is subject to change.
Virtual Testing May Be Utilized for this Examination

Candidates taking an oral examination may have their responses rated in person by a panel of Subject Matter Experts on the date of the examination, or have their responses recorded on the date of the examination and rated by Subject Matter Experts at a later date. Please refer all questions regarding this examination to the analyst listed below on the announcement.
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.
An Eligible List will be established the week of 08/17/2026. 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. In accordance with Civil Service Regulation 9.11, only candidates who have failed the oral examination may appeal to the Civil Service Commission upon the grounds of irregularity, bias, or fraud in the conduct of the oral test. Issues related to the suitability or adequacy of point scores awarded to passers are not appealable to the Commission. Call View phone number on click.appcast.io 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.
ANTICIPATED ELIGIBILITY
Candidates who meet all eligibility requirements within 6 months of the application deadline will be admitted to this examination. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list but may not be hired or promoted until all requirements have been satisfied.
1. EDUCATION
Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in psychology, sociology, mental health counseling or social work.

AND

2. EXPERIENCE
Two years of experience providing direct service to individuals with emotional or social problems in a mental health setting
NOTE: Completion of a bachelor's degree and an additional two years of experience as described above may substitute for the master's degree requirement.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum.
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, 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.


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
Jamie M. Trull

Office of Human Resources

City of Philadelphia

Health, Human Services, and Management Team

1401 JFK Boulevard, Room 1530

Philadelphia, PA 19102
City of Philadelphia Benefits includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Prescription
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Hybrid Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Plan
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan
• Employee Assistant Program
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid sick leave
• Vacation leave
• Paid personal days
• 8 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Backup Child and Adult care
• Wellbeing platform and programs
• Retiree Health Benefits
• Qualified Student Loan Forgiveness Employer
• Tuition Discounts for City Employees

01


Do you possess, or will you possess by the eligibility date listed in the minimum requirements section of the announcement, ONE of the DEGREE requirements? A bachelor's or master's degree with major course work in psychology, sociology, mental health counseling or social work.

• Yes
• No

Required Question