Clarification from the agency

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

This position is located in the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), Horticulture Division, Gardens and Grounds Section. The Gardener will be responsible for assisting other gardeners in the section to propagate and cultivate a wide variety of plants and will perform routine maintenance and specialized horticultural tasks.

* 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. 

Major Duties:

Transplants, Aerates, Prunes and Trims Plants

Plants, transplants and cares for trees, shrubs and flowers. Uses knowledge of seasonal schedules, project plans, weather suitability, soil moisture and plant growth stages to aerate, trim, and prune a variety of plants, seeds, and plant materials.

Plants seedlings, bulbs, shrubs and trees in patterns, beds and in selected locations to achieve a pleasing appearance of the gardens and grounds.

Cares for and maintains decorative plants in various rooms and courtyards of the Botanic Garden. 

Trims and prunes hedges, shrubbery and other related plants.

Uses gas, electric and hand shears, and pruning cutters to trim and prune plants according to instructions.

Prunes plants to obtain the desired configuration for the type of shrubbery within the garden plan.

Propagates and Cultivates Soil and Plants

The incumbent uses various foliage feeding, root feeding, and soil additive techniques to propagate and cultivate soil and plants.

Recognizes and controls cold damage, mineral deficiencies and plant diseases.

Selects, measures, mixes and applies appropriate chemical control agents to control weeds, common plant diseases and insects.

Follows all relevant safety rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures; Utilizes knowledge of and must comply with all OSHA safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner; Provides or receives training, either on-the-job or through classroom training, to ensure that all safety practices and equipment are fully utilized; Uses required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Prepares, Roots, Grafts, Layers and Documents Plants and Beds

Using knowledge of correct conditions (chemical composition, depth, moisture, temperature, humidity and ventilation requirements) to encourage germination and growth, prepares, roots, grafts, layers, and documents soil beds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, and seeds.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

*Applicants will be required to register for a DC pesticide applicators license within the first 30 days of their employment if they do not possess a license. To apply pesticides in the District of Columbia (D.C.), employee must possess a valid D.C. pesticide applicator’s license in categories (3A) exterior ornamental plants, (3B) interior plant-scapes and/or (3C) turf grass, dependent upon the pesticides used.*

IMPORTANT NOTE: Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license. If the required licenses or registration are not obtained within the time periods specified, the employee will be terminated for failure to meet the conditions of continued employment.

Conditions of employment

• 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.

• 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 do Gardening Work Without More Than Normal Supervision.

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.

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.

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.

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