Public Garden Career Center - View Job

(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this position)

This position is located in the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), Horticulture Division, Exhibits and Display Section. This specialized Section is responsible for producing many of USBG's program plants as well as other plants that support special conservatory exhibits and programs including tropical, sub-tropical, temperate and arid plants. Plants are produced in the USBG's greenhouse facility where the incumbent independently completes work assignments using project plans and long-range plans with little or no supervision. The incumbent is specifically responsible for collaborating with the Conservation Horticulturist and Public Programs Manager to develop, execute and maintain educational horticultural exhibits that are often related to botanical partners.
The incumbent propagates and cultivates a wide variety of unusual plants, seeds, and plant materials that includes pinching, fertilizing, Integrated Pest Management, and selected use of plant growth hormones. Manages, maintains, develops and cultivates collections of specialized plant groups. 
The incumbent utilizes an Argus greenhouse environmental control system to manipulate a production greenhouse environment to optimal plant growth conditions.
Repots, divides and/or roots and prunes plants to maintain proper balance of foliage to root mass. Performs the propagation (by division, cuttings, seeds or air layering) of the collection at the appropriate time and maintains accurate plant propagation records. Prepares grow schedules and maintain accurate and updated records. 

Installs aesthetic or educational displays related to the plants or plant families maintained within the Exhibits and Display Section which includes display layout and design, selection and labeling of plants and maintenance and rotation of plants.
Provides information to the public about plant collections through classes, workshops and/or tours. As required, may also direct and coordinate a small group of staff and/or volunteers and summer employees in the performance of plant maintenance and care projects. Assists, as needed, throughout the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Maintains the upkeep of assigned area by removing trash and debris, keeping floors and other areas clean. Ensures that pots are free of weeds and handles weed problems efficiently.
During inclement weather, removes snow and ice from sidewalks and steps. Applies salt, sand and melting agents to clear area and provide safe conditions. 
 

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to perform the duties of the position rather than length of experience. Eligibility will be determined by the relevance, scope and quality of all experience and training, regardless of where or how acquired. Applicants will be ranked and rated based on their knowledge of the job elements identified in this announcement.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW HIRES:

A valid District of Columbia (D.C.) pesticide applicator's license in categories 3A, 3B and/or 3C is required to apply pesticides in D.C. The required license category(ies) is dependent upon the location of the position.

The requirement must be satisfied using one of the following methods.

(1) The selected new employee who does not possess a valid D.C. pesticide applicator's license will be required to register with the D.C. Department of the Environment to apply pesticides under the direction of a licensed pesticide applicator within 90 days after the effective date of his/her appointment.

Additionally, the selected employee will be given 24 months from the effective date of his/her appointment to take the required test(s) to obtain the appropriate valid D.C. pesticide applicator's license. The 24-month period includes the 90-day registration period.

(2) The selected new employee who currently possesses a valid and up-to-date pesticide applicator's license issued by Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other states that have reciprocity with D.C. will be given 90 days from the effective date of his/her appointment to transfer that license to D.C.

(3) The selected new employee who currently possesses a valid and up-to-date pesticide applicator's license issued by a State that does not have reciprocity with D.C. will be given 24 months from the effective date of his/her appointment to obtain the appropriate license.

Important Note:

If the required registration and license are not obtained within the time periods specified above, the selected employee will be terminated for failure to meet the qualifications of the position.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR CURRENT AOC GARDENERS

The requirements for current AOC employees whose official position of record is classified as 'Gardener, WG-5003' as of April 22, 2008, are as follows:

(1) Current AOC Gardeners, WG-5003, Applying for Non-Supervisory/Non-Leader Vacant Positions:

(a) The selected employee must register with the D.C. Department of the Environment to apply pesticides under the direction of a licensed pesticide applicator within 90 days after the effective date of his/her new assignment.

(b) The employee will have 24 months from the effective date of his/her new assignment to take the required test(s) to obtain the appropriate D.C. pesticide applicator's license. (The 24-month period includes the 90-day registration period.)

(c) If the employee is unable to obtain the appropriate pesticide license within the 24-month period after making at least three (3) documented attempts, the employee may remain in the position provided a current registration is maintained.

(2) Current AOC Gardener, WG-5003, Applying for Supervisory/Leader Vacant Positions:

(a) At the time of application, the employee must have a current registration to apply pesticides under a licensed pesticide applicator.

(b) The appropriate D.C. pesticide applicator's license must be obtained in all required categories within 24 months of the new assignment.

(c) If the license cannot be obtained within the 24-month period, the employee may be returned to his/her previous position provided the position remained vacant. If no position is available, the employee will be terminated for failure to meet the qualifications of the position.

Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

See Other Information for further requirements.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.

See Other Information.

OTHER INFORMATION:

LOCATION: Architect of the Capitol; U.S. Botanic Garden, Horticulture Division, Exhibits and Display Section.

THIS POSITION IS BEING FILLED THROUGH AN ON-LINE APPLICATION SYSTEM.

To apply, go to http://www.avuedigitalservices.com/aoc/applicant.html or www.aoc.gov/employment. (Be sure URL is typed in all lower case).

ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIRED FORMS MUST BE ATTACHED AS TEXT OR IMAGE FILES TO YOUR JOB APPLICATION.

FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact the employing office for alternate application procedures. Please call 202-226-7000.

ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSES AT 11:59 PM ON THE CLOSING DATE.

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

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Incumbent of the position must possess and maintain a valid, unexpired state driver's license at the time of application.

TOUR OF DUTY INCLUDES WEEKENDS, EVENINGS AND HOLIDAYS ON A REGULAR AND CONTINUAL BASIS.

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*****APPLICANTS MUST BE U.S. CITIZENS*****

Applications submitted by any form of mail delivery will not be accepted.

Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement.

The Office of the Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This Office prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, age, national origin, genetic information, 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 on a case-by-case basis.

Moving expenses are not authorized.

Relocation expenses are not authorized.

BENEFITS: A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holiday; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc.

Selected applicant(s) may be eligible to earn a higher annual leave accrual rate credit towards annual leave accrual based on prior non-Federal or uniformed service work experience. The amount of service credit will be based on specialized experience or qualifying experience that is provided on the applicant profile submitted. As such, if you are a new employee to the Federal Government or a rehire, it is important that you provide a work history that lists all directly related positions held, and it must include the dates of employment (month/day/year).

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.

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.

Selectee(s) 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.

The position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals.

Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for Architect of the Capitol applicants. Even if you have already developed a resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO APPLY, please click on https://www.avuecentral.com/casting/aiportal/control/toVacancy?referenceCode=XXQZQ