The Aviation Department operates three airports. More than 36 million passengers fly in and out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport each year on commercial airlines. Sky Harbor Airport also is a general aviation facility, which means that business jets and private planes also can use the airport. Two other airports, Phoenix-Deer Valley and Phoenix- Goodyear, are general aviation facilities.

The Business Customer Service Department provides assistance to people who have questions regarding starting a new business and the city development process. Employees in this department help customers by guiding them through the steps necessary to obtain city development approvals for their business.

The Convention Center operates the Civic Plaza Convention Center, a place where groups can hold meetings, conventions and exhibitions. The Civic Plaza is also responsible for operating the Orpheum Theatre, Herberger Theatre, and Phoenix Symphony Hall, where people can attend concerts, plays, musicals, and festivals.

The City Clerk Department records all of the official public documents for the city and makes them available to citizens. Employees in the department post announcements of public meetings and hearings, as well as take notes (called "minutes") at City Council meetings. All city elections are overseen by the City Clerk Department.

The Development Services Department also deals with new buildings. Employees in this department are responsible for making sure that all new buildings are safe by checking the plans for each new building (houses, offices, factories), then they inspect the building when it is finished.

The Emergency Management Coordinator helps the city prepare for emergencies by providing training and practice drills for city staff. The Coordinator also operates the Emergency Operations Center in the event of an emergency. The Center makes sure that city services and resources are used in the best way to respond to and recover from a man-caused or natural event.

The Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency services (ambulances) from 45 different stations. The department also provides disaster assistance and investigates suspicious fires. Through the Urban Survival Program, the firefighters also teach kids and senior citizens how to protect themselves in the event of a fire or emergency.

The Engineering and Architectural Services Department builds new public facilities for the people of Phoenix. This group of engineers and architects coordinate the planning, design and construction of new parks, libraries, landfills, fire and police stations, city offices, etc. They also provide geographic information system maps of the city and perform environmental studies.

The Historic Preservation Office works to protect historic neighborhoods, buildings, structures and sites in the City of Phoenix. The office lists properties in the City’s Historic Property Register and provides grants to property owners to help pay for restoration on historic buildings. Currently, the City’s Historic Property Register includes 35 residential historic neighborhoods, six historic parks, and 133 individual historic sites, which includes everything from houses to school buildings, churches, office buildings, warehouses, grain silos and railroad stations.

The Housing Department works to make sure people have a place to live, which is sometimes harder for low-income families. Members of the family may have jobs but they don't make a lot of money. The city has special apartments for families who need a lower rent. Housing Department employees also help people work toward owning their own home.

The Human Services Department provides assistance and service to people who have various needs. Staff members offer skills training and on-the-job training to youth and adults who need jobs. Through its Education Division, the department offers Head Start preschool programs. Employees at family service centers provide a broad range of services including emergency assistance with food, rent or utility bills when a family is temporarily unable to pay. Staff in another division of this department offers hot meals, transportation and a companion program for senior citizens.

The Information Technology Department (ITD) manages the citywide computer, network, telephone and radio systems. ITD also maintains the city’s home page at phoenix.gov. This website offers information about Phoenix city government and city services. For example, for information on youth and educational programs. Families without computers at home can use computers at any city library to access phoenix.gov.

The Library Department operates the city’s Burton Barr Central Library and 12 branch libraries, which have almost two million books, magazines, compact disks, videos, digital video discs, and other items for residents to borrow, read and return.

The Neighborhood Services Department works with residents to keep neighborhoods clean and attractive for the people who live in them. Employees in this department help organize neighborhood associations and help protect historic homes. Staff members also investigate complaints about properties that are not kept in good condition. Most people don't like to live next to a house that is empty, is falling apart or has trash on the lawn. The investigators from this department can give the property owner a warning and a ticket so that they clean up the property. The Neighborhoods That Work program recognizes neighborhoods that work together to solve community problems.

The Office of Environmental Programs provides city departments and citizens with assistance and information on environmental issues. The office manages programs to improve air pollution, clean up contamination, prevent pollution, handle waste responsibly and train employees to protect the environment.

The Parks and Recreational Department manages more than 200 parks, community centers and recreation facilities. Phoenix Activity City, an after- school and summer program, is operated by this department.

The Personel Department works with departments to hire the more than 13,000 employees that work for the City of Phoenix. This includes sending out advertisements announcing job openings, reading through applications and conducting job interviews. The Personnel Department also works with employees on their benefits. Benefits are things besides salary that an employer gives its employees for working. These include health and dental insurance, sick leave, vacation days and educational reimbursement. City employees are encouraged to further their education, and the educational reimbursement program is a benefit that pays for them to go to college or to go to training courses or workshops. Personnel also has people who help train city employees on how to do their jobs better.

The Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture directs a public art program, administers grants in support of the arts, fosters arts education in the schools, provides assistance to arts organizations and artists and serves as an advocate for the arts.

The Public Transit Department provides bus transportation for more than 114,000 passengers in Phoenix each day. Think how many people are able to get to work, go shopping or visit friends without driving a car. Public Transit employees plan the routes and make sure the buses stay in good operating order. The Planning Department helps the city plan as it grows. Employees in this department divide the city into zones and, with the help of citizen committees, decide whether buildings can go into a particular zone and, if so, what kind of buildings.

The Police Department enforces the laws of the city and the state, keeping the citizens and the community safe. Police officers try to prevent crime through programs such as Block Watch. In addition, some police officers teach elementary school students drug abuse resistance and gang awareness (GREAT). Others, called school resource officers, work in schools every day. Phoenix has more than 3,000 officers and support personnel working toward better public safety.

The Public Works Department collects solid waste. When you put your garbage in a green container and your recyclables in a blue container and place them by the curb, Public Works employees collect the waste and dispose of it. Owners of houses are charged through their water bill for this service. Department staff also manage a Household Hazardous Waste program that allows people to get rid of dangerous chemicals from their homes and an Illegal Dumping program to prevent and clean up places where people dump garbage illegally. The Public Works Department helps schools protect the environment by setting up recycling programs in schools.

The Street Transportation Department has a similar name but does a different job. The department builds new streets, keeps the old ones in good condition and works to keep traffic flowing efficiently by installing new traffic lights and changing driving patterns.

The Water Services Department provides a service that every city resident uses every day. Employees in this department make sure that all parts of the city have water. They also test the water to make sure it is safe for drinking and bathing. Owners of businesses and houses and people who live in apartments pay for the water they use.

The Youth and Education Programs Office staffs the Youth and Education Commission, serves as a clearinghouse on youth programs for other departments and manages know99. The Youth and Education Programs Office also serves as a liaison for the city and public schools in Phoenix.

Last modified on 03/20/2007 09:48:11