Landscape Gardener - Aviation Department

Over 50 million passengers traveled through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in 2024, one of the busiest airports in the country in the nation's 5th largest city. Sky Harbor is the largest of three airports in the Phoenix Airport System (Phoenix Sky Harbor, Deer Valley, and Goodyear airports) operated by the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, with an economic impact over $44 billion annually.

About the role

Multiple vacancies exist on the 1st shift in the Landscape Maintenance Section, Facilities & Services Division of the City of Phoenix Aviation Department at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The team works in a specialized aviation environment with opportunities to grow professionally and move into other fields beyond landscaping. The City offers a variety of classes to support career development in a positive and supportive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform landscape maintenance, re-vegetation, and restoration at Sky Harbor Airport and surrounding street landscape.
• Maintain and police assigned areas, trim trees, conduct weed control, cultivate, and fertilize various plant species.
• Operate mowing equipment and troubleshoot irrigation systems.
• General landscape maintenance work including litter patrol, raking, checking and spraying plants for diseases and insect control, fertilizing plants, trees, and grass.
• Maintain surrounding Airport properties.
• For gardeners assigned to sprinkler systems: provide expertise in irrigation maintenance, repair, and installation in addition to landscape maintenance duties.

Requirements

• One year of experience in the care and maintenance of trees, plants, shrubs, and lawns.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• Requires a State of Arizona Office of Pest Management (OPM) Applicator License within six months of hire. For information, call 602/255-3664 and ask for the Arizona Restricted Use Pesticide Certification.
• Ability to move objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Requires walking for prolonged periods, including over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Requires working outside in environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.
• All finalists are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver’s license, and have an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with trimming trees.
• Experience with planting trees and shrubs.
• Experience in landscape maintenance techniques and equipment.
• Experience operating small to medium-sized motorized equipment.
• Experience working with herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, soil amendments, and irrigation systems.
• Certification in the Core, Right-of-Way, and Weed Control pesticide categories (highly desired).

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 5:30 AM – 2:00 PM.

Pay

Pay Range: $19.45 to $31.68 per hour. Hiring Range: $19.45 to $26.07 per hour.

The actual salary offer will consider a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Benefits

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions.
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions.
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans.
• Monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan.
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually.
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options.
• Employer-paid long-term disability.
• Free bus/light rail pass.
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year.
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick and personal leave days.
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees: up to 480 hours (12 weeks) for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period.
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi.

Part-time employees are eligible for earned paid sick time, city training, and free or discounted bus and light rail fares.