Summary
This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Superintendent, Library Buildings and Grounds (LBG), Projects Branch, Grounds Section. Do you enjoy working outdoors and on historical landscapes? The Architect of the Capitol has an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic gardener to be responsible for the beautification around our grounds and buildings.
The Gardener (Advanced) performs gardening tasks for indoor and outdoor plants in the Library Buildings and Grounds.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
See Requirements section of this announcement for information on who may apply.
Duties
Serving as a Gardener, the selectee is responsible for landscaping including the yearly planting of over 10,000 specialty annuals, 2200 pansies, and 6000 exotic tulip bulbs. The selectee participates in designing special exhibits or displays and plants flowerbeds around buildings and interior seasonal displays within the Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and John Adams Library of Congress Buildings and Grounds.
*This position is essential and the incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather situations.*
*Must possess a valid, unexpired State driver's license at application*
Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday, 6:00 am to 2:30 pm
MAJOR DUTIES: (Duties quoted at the full performance level, WG-09)
Performs a full range of moderately difficult gardening tasks, such as planting, transplanting watering, pruning as required for seasonal changes, plus additional responsibilities related to public interaction providing instruction on gardening practices, including information about historical trees and species and indoor and outdoor gardens.
- Designs flowerbeds and interior seasonal displays in and around the Library Buildings and Grounds using a practical knowledge of horticulture and botany in an environment of priceless, national artistic treasures.
- Recognizes unusual plant diseases and applies treatment using proper chemical compounds based on the individual condition of affected plants. Records procedures used and the results achieved
- Repairs damaged plants. Applies insecticides to control insects and other chemical agents to control weeds and plant diseases.
- Determines the quantities of plants, seeds, fertilizer and other materials needed for specific areas.
- Operates power driven mower, roto-tiller and tractor with attachments.
- Operates engineering and snow removal equipment.
- Performs general grounds maintenance duties including cutting grass, raking leaves, snow removal, trash pick-up, etc.
The selectee is responsible for utilizing a thorough knowledge of and compliance with all OSHA safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and to initiate or take corrective action on unsafe conditions in managed areas. Provides or receives training, either on the job or through classroom training, to ensure the use of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be able to pass a drug test.
- Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements.
- Must possess a valid, unexpired State driver's license at application.
“To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:
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(S) required for this position:
For WG-08
Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision including:
- Propagating, cultivating, and transplanting diverse plants;
- Identifying and managing plant diseases, cold damage, and mineral deficiencies;
- Communicating basic knowledge of landscape and plants to visitors and staff.
For WG-06
Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision including:
- Planting, watering, and pruning grass, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
- Operating hand and power tools relevant to gardening and landscaping;
- Engaging with general public to share information.
- Applying basic arithmetic skills to plan and measure materials.
Benefits
A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; 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 Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.
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
- Knowledge of Plant Materials and Supplies
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.
Please note that a complete application is required for consideration. (Please review the “Required Documents” section of this job announcement to see what must be included in a complete application). You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents
The Architect of the Capitol's (AOC) job application process is designed to ensure you only provide information necessary to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position vacancy.
To apply for this position, you only need to submit: a) your resume and b) answers to the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant information. No additional documentation or attachments are required at the time of application.
Your resume should list your education, training and work experience including job titles, employment dates (MM/DD/YY), duties and accomplishments.
Nothing further is required until it is requested by AOC’s Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for the position, you will be asked to provide it during the interview or selection process. At that time, you may be asked to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.
For example, you may be asked to provide a copy of your diploma, college transcripts, or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires licensure or certification, you will be asked to provide proof at the time of selection.
If Veterans’ preference is claimed, you will be asked to submit proof (DD-214, and, if claiming a 10-point preference, a SF-15 and the proof required by that form).
Failure to provide the required documents will end further consideration and/or result in the withdrawal of any tentative job offers.
Your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of this job announcement.
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.
How to Apply
You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page.
NEED HELP?
If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.
All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature.
If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.
Next steps
You will receive a notice generated by the USAJOBS System when you have successfully submitted your application. We will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.
You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJOBS Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two (2) weeks after the closing date of this vacancy announcement.
|