Arborist

Job Description

This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG), Horticulture Division, Collections Section. The incumbent serves as an Arborist at the full performance level, providing technical and curatorial leadership for the arbor care program supporting the USBG Conservatory, Gardens, and Production Facility.

The Arborist applies contemporary scientific arboricultural methods to grow, preserve, maintain, and protect a globally significant living tree collection that includes tropical, subtropical, temperate, historic, rare, and endangered species. The Arborist plays a critical role in ensuring public safety, historic preservation, and plant health, while supporting the USBG mission to inspire and educate visitors through exemplary horticulture.

Important:

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.
Valid, Unexpired Driver’s License (required).
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification or an accredited Tree Expert license (required).
Valid, Unexpired District of Columbia Pesticide Applicator’s License (or a valid state license reciprocal with D.C.) for pesticide license categories 3A, 3B and 3C to apply pesticides.

About Us

This position is at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG). The USBG is a public garden in the legislative branch and was established by Congress in 1820. The Garden inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. We provide educational experiences to 1 million visitors annually, present horticultural displays and exhibits, strive to break down barriers to inclusion, and advance the exchange of ideas and information. Learn more: U.S. Botanic Garden.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Arborist performs a full range of advanced arboricultural, horticultural, and curatorial duties, including:

Implements and leads a comprehensive arbor care program for the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) Conservatory, Gardens, and Production Facility.

Performs advanced tree risk assessments in accordance with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards; evaluates tree health, identifies hazards, and develops mitigation and long-term maintenance plans.

Conducts advanced pruning, cabling, bracing, and tree removals using skilled climbing, rigging, and rope-access techniques in complex and historic environments.

Provides specialized care for large tropical, subtropical, temperate, rare, and historically significant trees, including species exceeding 50 feet in height.

Diagnoses and treats insect, disease, and root-related disorders using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and environmentally responsible practices.

Propagates, selects, plants, and maintains trees in accordance with current arboricultural best management practices.

Utilizes advanced diagnostic tools (e.g., resistographs, air spades) to assess internal decay, root structure, and soil conditions.

Operates and maintains arboricultural equipment, including aerial lifts, chippers, stump grinders, and associated vehicles and attachments.

Maintains accurate tree inventories, GIS records, and accession documentation in coordination with curatorial staff.

Collaborates with botanic gardens, conservatories, universities, and plant health networks to exchange plant material and technical expertise.

Provides horticultural education, tours, and technical information to staff, visitors, and external organizations.

Serves as a professional representative of the U.S. Botanic Garden; complies with all safety, OSHA, and AOC requirements and responds to emergency situations as required.

Education and Experience

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.
A valid, unexpired driver’s license is required.
ISA certification or an accredited tree expert license is required.
Must possess a DC Pesticide Applicator’s License in 3A, 3B, and 3C.

A citizen of the United States;
A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.
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 perform the work independently and without close supervision

To qualify at the WG-10 level: Independently conducting advanced pruning, cabling, bracing, and removal of large trees using skilled climbing, rigging, and rope access techniques.

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 http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#6.

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.

Application Instructions

https://www.usajobs.gov/job/858054200