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Gardener

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Jan 28, 2021
Duties

Summary

The AOC's office of US Botanic Garden is accepting applications for a Gardener possessing a broad knowledge of tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and arid plants to support unique conservatory exhibits and programs. The Gardener is responsible for propagating and growing seasonal plants that are of the highest horticultural quality.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

This position is located in the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), Horticulture Division, Exhibits and Displays Section.

The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is a living plant museum that informs visitors about the importance, and often irreplaceable value, of plants to the well-being of humans and to earth's fragile ecosystems. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1820, the U.S. Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. Since 1934, it has been administered through the Architect of the Capitol . The Garden has been recognized as a museum and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This accreditation is a widely recognized seal of approval that recognizes a museum's commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement.

*** This position is essential--Employee is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather situations***

Tour of duty will be other than Monday through Friday and may include weekends, evenings and holidays on a regular and recurring basis.

The position may be filled at the Gardener journey-level or worker-level. Developmental assignments will be given with the goal of attaining the full performance level. Duties quoted below are at the WG-8 level.

Major Duties:

Grows Specialized Plant Groups
  • Grows, manages, maintains, develops and cultivates specialized plant group collections. Propagates and cultivates unusual plants, seeds and plant materials. This process includes daily watering, fertilizing and maintaining proper greenhouse conditions including temperature, humidity, ventilation and light levels. Utilizes a computer-controlled greenhouse environmental control system to manipulate the production environment to optimal plant growth conditions.
  • Re-plants, divides, roots and prunes plant specimens to achieve and maintain optimum plant health. Performs propagation of the collection by division, cuttings, seeds and air layering at the appropriate time. Develops and maintains updated and accurate records including seasonal growing schedules.
  • Properly accessions permanent plants. Works with the Botanist to maintain accurate and detailed accession records. Develops display labels for use in the Conservatory.
  • Undertakes delivery of seasonal plants to the Conservatory, USBG Gardens and other Jurisdictions in the Capitol complex. Organizes the plants to prevent damage during delivery. Operates a motor vehicle when transporting plants and equipment to designated facilities.
  • Collaborates with other USBG staff to develop, execute and maintain educational horticultural exhibits.

Fosters Optimum Horticultural Displays
  • Designs aesthetic and educational plant displays, which include the layout and design of the display, selection and labeling the plants and maintaining and rotating plants in the exhibit.
  • Applies good gardening practices, uses project plans, master landscape and long-range plans to achieve required results and USBG objectives.
  • Takes the initiative to inform the public about plants cared for through classes, workshops and tours. As required, directs a small group of staff, volunteers and summer employees in the performance of plant maintenance and care projects.
  • Cares for horticultural tools, equipment and implements. Identifies maintenance problems in greenhouses and other growing areas.
  • Maintains clean and orderly horticultural standards, assigned areas are free of weeds and related problems. Organizes work areas, sweeps and cleans greenhouse floors with disinfectants, removes trash and debris and coils hoses. Complies with and actively participates in USBG sustainability efforts including composting, recycling and energy reduction programs.
  • Monitors pest population and life cycles; determines threshold level and applies the appropriate physical, cultural and biological or chemical controls.
  • Removes snow and ice from sidewalks and steps in inclement weather. Applies salt, sand and other melting agents to clear areas and ensure safe conditions.
  • Follows all relevant safety rules, regulations and standard operating procedures.


Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
09

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • You must be able to pass a drug test.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid and unexpired State driver's license.


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Qualifications

You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT:

-- Ability to do Gardening Work Without More Than Normal Supervision.

Qualification at the WG-6 level: Assists with gardening projects and has a working knowledge of gardening practices in order to maintain a diverse group of plants.

Qualification at the WG-8 level: Is able to work gardening projects independently and has knowledge of methods for propagating and cultivating a diverse group of plants.

Education

Additional information

Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit OPM vet guide

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Moving expenses are not authorized.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Your eligibility for consideration and qualifications for the position will be determined based upon a review of your detailed resume and your responses to job specific self-assessment questions.

Your resume will be evaluated based on evidence of your ability to demonstrate the job elements for this position, possession of any specialized experience, and how well your background and experience relates to the self-assessment questions in the job announcement. The self-assessment questions relate to the following job elements and competencies:
  • Ability to do Gardening Work Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out)
  • Knowledge of Technical Gardening Practices
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions and Specifications
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Gardening Tools and Equipment

Your responses to the self-assessment questions serve as the basis for your initial rating. You will receive a numerical score based on your responses to these questions. Next, your responses will be evaluated by a Human Resources Specialist and/or a subject matter expert against the information provided in your resume and optional cover letter. Your resume must support your answers to the self-assessment questions. Falsifying your background, education and/or experience is cause for non-selection or disqualification from further consideration.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

The Architect of the Capitol's job application process is designed to ensure that we only ask you for the information that is absolutely needed to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position.

To apply for this position, you only need to submit online the following: a) your resume and 2) answer the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant supplemental information. No additional documentation or attachment is required at the time of application.

We ask that you prepare and submit a resume that best describes fully your background experience, skills, abilities, education, training and other relevant credentials. The resume should include dates of employment.

Nothing further is required until it is requested by the staff of the Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for a position, you will be asked to provide it during the selection process or upon selection. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.

For example, we may ask you to provide documents such as college transcripts, copy of diploma or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires a license or certification, we will ask candidate(s) to provide proof at the time of selection.

If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of Veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, the SF-15 plus proof required by that form).

If you fail to provide the required documents, we will withdraw a tentative job offer made and/or remove you from further consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

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