Street Maintenance Apprentice (Street Transportation Department) - Phoenix Arizona

Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the country, serving as Arizona's center of government, commerce, and culture. It is emerging in the new economy with strength in high technology, manufacturing, bioscience research, and advanced business services. Phoenix is a progressive city, brimming with sports and cultural attractions, distinctive restaurants, fascinating museums, diverse residential options, and endless outdoor opportunities.

The Street Maintenance Division is the largest division within the Street Transportation Department. The Street Maintenance Division staff is responsible for maintaining the City's roadways and other assets in the right-of-way. Staff takes care of issues such as asphalt/pothole repair, removal of debris in the street, street resurfacing, street sweeping, right-of-way landscape maintenance, response to ADA issues in the right-of-way, grading/dustproofing alleys, response to storm related issues such as flooded street, clogged storm drains, and wash maintenance. The division is currently hiring for several vacancies for Street Maintenance Worker Apprentices.

The Street Maintenance Worker Apprentice (NC): 

The apprenticeship program for Street Maintenance Worker (SMW) was developed to attract and train individuals with the desire to earn their Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and become a skilled SMW for the City of Phoenix. The program seeks to develop skilled workers through a detailed classroom and on-the-job training model, designed to educate apprentices in a safe and efficient way to maintain the city's roadways, drainage ways and other assets in the right-of-way. Selected apprentices will not need prior equipment operating experience, nor will they need to have their medical card or CDL prior to starting the program. All required training is paid for and provided by the City of Phoenix.

The SMW Apprentice program is 288 hours of classroom and equipment training and 4,000 hours of on-the-job training in which apprentices must successfully and satisfactorily complete. A medical card must be acquired within six months from date of hire. By twenty-four months of hire, apprentices will be required to secure a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Street Maintenance Worker Apprentice Webpage: Street Transportation (phoenix.gov)

Primary responsibilities include and are not limited to:

• Perform manual labor tasks.
• Meet established performance standards. 
• Report incidents, accidents, injuries, and property damage.
• Navigate safely in both controlled and uncontrolled environments.
• Identify needed equipment repairs and make necessary equipment adjustments.
• Attend and participate in training programs, briefings, and meetings as required by management.
• Operate SMW equipment in accordance with established organizational policies, procedures, and administrative regulations, Occupational and Safety Health Act (OSHA), and Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, as well as all local, state, and federal laws.

Ability to:

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Work overtime as needed.
• Lead teams in assigned projects.
• Have a motivated, enthusiastic, and eager to learn attitude. 
• Work on City streets near vehicular traffic.
• Be flexible and perform daily tasks based on the needs of street maintenance.

Knowledge of: 

• Asphalt repair procedures, equipment, and tools. 

SMW Apprentice requires all the above, plus: 

• Commitment to completing 4,000 hours of on-the-job training and 288 hours of related technical instruction apprenticeship program. 

Pay Range Explanation:

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

SMW Apprentice: 

• $21.54 / hour starting wage as an apprentice.
• $22.61 / hour after obtaining a CDL Class A license.
• $23.74 / hour after 1,000 OJT hours of successful performance as an apprentice.
• $24.93 / hour after 2,000 OJT hours of successful performance as an apprentice.
• $26.18 / hour after 3,000 OJT hours of successful performance as an apprentice.
• $27.49 / hour after 4,000 OJT hours of successful performance as an apprentice, including promotion to SMW.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a 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 days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi

For more details, visit: Unit 001 Benefits

SMW Apprentice:

• Must possess a Class D or equivalent driver's license for one year prior to entering the apprenticeship program and prove one year of driving experience in a vehicle other than a motorcycle.
• For positions in the Street Transportation Department, Street Maintenance Division, individuals will be required to obtain a 12-month medical clearance from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) issued by a City of Phoenix occupational medical provider within six months of hire date.
• The city job description for the General Apprentice-U1 (non-classified) can be found here.

Additional requirements applicable to SMW Apprentice positions:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Possession of a valid driver license for at least one year.
• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Effectively communicate orally with customers, clients, and the public using a telephone, in person, through virtual media, and in a group setting in the English language.
• Comply with department policies and procedures while demonstrating superior seamless customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscally responsible activity.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• These 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. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Pre-employment drug testing is required, and employees will be subject to unannounced alcohol and drug testing as a condition of continued employment. The DOT explicitly states that its Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulation does not allow the use of medical marijuana under state law (49 CFR Part 40). The DOT says holding an MMJ card is not a valid medical explanation if a transportation employee tests positive for any prohibited drug.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.

Environmental and working conditions:

• Working on City streets near vehicular traffic.
• Performing heavy manual labor for extended periods of time in a construction-type of environment.
• Requires working for prolonged periods standing in one location, and/or walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Working early mornings, irregular hours, second and/or third shifts, weekends, holidays, and evenings may be required.
• Requires working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as extreme heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust for extended periods of time.
• Moving heavy objects (50 pounds or more) short distances (20 feet or less) and repetitively bending and moving heavy objects throughout an eight-hour shift may be required.

Recruitment closes April 13, 2026. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This recruitment and any interview process as a result of this recruitment may be used by multiple hiring managers and multiple departments throughout the City to fill any related current or future vacancies; other recruitments and appropriate eligible lists may also be considered.

• Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. 
• Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above.
• Attend a mandatory information session on Saturday, May 2, 2026, where you will learn more about the position and the Street Maintenance Worker Apprenticeship Program.
  • An invitation with specific details will be sent to your primary email address.  
  • You will have the opportunity to complete paperwork and provide professional references at the information session. 
• Complete a Spark Hire video interview, all information will be provided at the mandatory information session. 
• Those who attend the information session and want to be considered for the position must complete an outdoor skills assessment on Thursday, May 7, 2026. An invitation to select an interview time and location will be sent to the qualified candidates' primary email address. 

Outdoor Skills Assessment Attire Requirements:

• Wear appropriate work clothes to complete the skills assessment such as jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and steel-toed work boots. 
  • Shorts, tank tops, short-sleeved shirts, or open-toed footwear will not be allowed. 
• If the applicant does not have steel toed boots, the city will supply protective shoe covers. 
• The city will provide work gloves, safety glasses, and hard hats to each applicant.
• Wear glasses or contacts if listed as a restriction on your identification. 

Applicants selected to hire may not be offered formal employment until after August 2026.

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
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• If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our HR Connection Center at (602) 495-5700 or by emailing us at str.apprenticeship@phoenix.gov.

General Apprentice-U1 (NC), JC:00010, Street Maint Worker, JC:70120, ID# 61274, 04/09/2026, 3 mos, CR, Benefits:001

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City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.