Gardener

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to current federal employees and special hiring authorities under merit procedures. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

The Division of Horticultural Services (HS) is responsible for the maintenance of ten acres of exterior landscape; which includes the West and East Buildings of the National Gallery of Art and the six-acre Sculpture Garden.  In addition, HS is responsible for four interior gardens, twelve greenhouses, four cold frames and specialty gardens.  The division also assumes the responsibility for meeting floral and foliage requirements for over 250 special events per year.  Furthermore, the division is responsible for the contract for exterior step washing, sidewalk cleaning, daily exterior trash removal and snow removal.  HS is responsible for performing interior maintenance, operation of landscape equipment, exterior landscape maintenance and greenhouse maintenance.   In addition, HS preforms special event setup.

Duties for this position include:

• Performing proper pruning, watering, weeding, planting, fertilizing, cleaning, mulching, pest control, and equipment operation carried out in assigned area, following industry standards. 
• Preparing/Conducting new installations, fertilization, chemical weed control and pest control for annual bedding plants, tropical foliage plants, woody plants and herbaceous perennials.   
• Monitoring and maintaining turf, proper mowing, fertilization, weeding, insect/disease control, aerating, overseeding, sodding, and edging. 
• Monitoring and maintaining irrigation system components and notifying the lead horticulturist of deficiencies in order to ensure proper watering of plant material. 
• Removing snow/ice with appropriate equipment, spreading ice melting material as needed in hardscape areas to assure safe access to museums, gardens, support facilities and parking lots. 

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record.
• Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Must be able to obtain a Pesticide Applicator's License in any of the below categories (1) interior plant-scapes, (2) turfgrass (3) exterior ornamental plants within 90 days of employment.
• Requires ability to wear a respirator and other protective clothing.
• Requires participation in a health surveillance program.
• Requires ability to work daily with hazardous chemicals.
• Requires availability for recall to work sites during weather and other emergencies.
• Requires availability for recurring weekend and holiday hours.
• Requires ability to walk, stand, push, bend, stoop, kneel, pull and climb throughout the day.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT) 
• Ability To Interpret Instructions
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of materials
• Dexterity and Safety 
• Use of Measuring Instruments

Minimum Qualification Screen-Out 
Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision 

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

Specialized Experience Statement for WG-06: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the WG-05 level in the Federal service or private sector, working in gardens or greenhouses in a museum or cultural institution setting. 

Specialized Experience Statement for WG-08:  Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the WG-06 level in the Federal service or private sector, performing a full range of gardening duties independently, including plant identification, diagnosing plant stress or pest issues, interpreting planting plans, and safely operating horticultural equipment. 

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your resume will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the competencies below:

Skill in following industry standards when caring for gardens. 

Skill in preparing maintenance schedules for planting. 

Skill in caring for turf surfaces. 

Skill in maintaining irrigation systems. 

Skill in removing snow and ice from exterior surfaces.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

• Some jobs require proof of a specific license, like a driver's license or professional license. See the job announcement for details.
• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
• Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume (no more than 2 pages) showing the applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment, and duties performed to include pay plan, series, and grade level for relevant federal experience. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications.
   
   

• Do not include the following types of information in your resume:
  
  
  • Classified or government sensitive information
  
  
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  
  
  • Photos of yourself
  
  
  • Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
  
  
  • Encrypted and digitally signed documents

2. Other supporting documents:
   
   
   • Cover Letter, optional
   
   
   • Most recent Performance Appraisal, optional
   
   
   • Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g. DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.) If you are a veteran and you are claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility.
     If you are a veteran and you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference click here.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. 

Next steps