Summary

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.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. citizens.

Duties

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.

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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.

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.
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.

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 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal 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.

The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.

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).

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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:

(1) Ability to perform as an Arborist with little to no supervision.

(2) Advanced knowledge of technical work practices specific to the arborist trade.

(3) Advanced working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of equipment, tools and materials used in the arborist trade.

(4) Advanced knowledge of potential safety hazards and applicable safety precautions.

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 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. A complete application consists of:

1. A resume or any other written format you choose to describe your job-related qualifications. A cover letter is optional.

Your resume should indicate your citizenship and should list your educational and work experience including job titles, salary, employment dates, duties and accomplishments, experience and how it relates to the job elements in the vacancy announcement. Any experience claimed in a cover letter should be fully substantiated by information contained in your resume.

2. Licenses or certifications: You must provide a copy of your license or certification by the closing date of the announcement.

A valid, unexpired State driver's license.
International Society of Arboriculture Certification or an accredited tree expert license is desired.
If currently possessed, a valid, unexpired D.C. Pesticide Applicator's License or a valid, unexpired State pesticide license with D.C. reciprocity.

Supporting Documentation:

You can choose ONE of the following methods to submit Supporting Documents:

You can upload your documents when you register or update your information on the Architect of the Capitol application site which you access through the USAJOBS site.

--OR--

You can fax your documents using the system generated fax cover sheet.

Your application and all required documentation must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of this job announcement.

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.

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.

Agency contact information

London Holliway

Phone: 202-226-7000
Email: TalentAcquisitionandClassification@aoc.gov

Address: Architect of the Capitol
United States Capitol
Washington, District of Columbia 20515
United States

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.

Arborist Job in Washington, DC