Gardener Supervisor Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. NC-1616-NACE-24-12530961-DE Department National Park Service
Salary $40.35 to $46.97 Grade 8 to 8
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/10/2024 Close Date 9/23/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

These positions are located in National Capital Parks-East, in the Maintenance Division.

Open to the first 75 applicants or until 09/23/2024 whichever comes first. All applications submitted by 11:59 (EST) on the closing day will receive consideration.

Duties

The major duties of the Gardener Supervisor position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Direct a crew of non-supervisory gardening and ground maintenance employees with primary concern for the best in water pond plants and other aquatic plants.
  • Demonstrate the best method for production of annual plants, cut flowers, pot plants and water plants.
  • Supervise employees engaged in pruning and trimming trees and shrubs to obtain the shape, size and growth characteristics desidered.
  • Apply standard fertilizing procedures to sterilize soil, increase or decrease and/or adjust the pH factor in line with plants requirements.
  • Check work in progress to make sure work assignments and instructions are carried out.
  • Plan the distribution of work to his subordinates and balances the work load and determine manpower, equipment and materials needed to complete work.
  • Enter and track data by using the Parks FMSS system, or similar maintenance management system.
  • Manage greenhouses.
  • Maintain records on all work performed and is responsible for time and attendance reports, leave records and equipments sheets.
  • Counsel and evaluate employees for performance ratings.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship required.
  • Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
  • Meet Selective Service Registration Act requirement for males
  • Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
  • 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. You must also submit (within a State sealed envelope or submitted directly by the State authorities), and at your own expense, all certified driving records from all States that disclose all valid driver's licenses, whether current or past, possessed by you.
  • You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
  • You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime and shift work.
  • You may be designated as emergency essential and will be required to work call back and emergency overtime.
  • If you are a new employee or supervisor in the Federal government, you will be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
  • You will be required to complete a respirator fit test.
  • You must possess or be able to obtain all necessary pesticide applicator license.
  • You must be able to lift 50 number of pounds.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:
  1. Ability To Lead or Supervise (SCREEN OUT)
  2. Technical Practices: theoretical precise, artistic
  3. Knowledge of Materials
  4. Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  5. Ability to Interpret Instructions, specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  6. Use of Measuring Instruments
  7. Dexterity and Safety
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.

Selective Factors: At the time of appointment, minimum qualification requirements, more specific than the published OPM qualification requirements, that defines knowledge, skills, abilities, or other worker characteristics basic to and essential for satisfactory performance in the position.
  • Driver's License- must possess and maintain a valid state or District of Columbia driver's license
  • Within 6 months of employment/onboarding, incumbent must obtain and maintain a District of Columbia pesticide applicator license (public applicator) or have reciprocity from state in which incumbent is certified; in categories 3.A - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, Exterior Ornamental Plants, 3.B. - Ornamental and Turf Pest Control, Lawns and Turf, and 5. Aquatic Pest Control
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no substitution of education for experience for Wage Grade (WG) positions.

Additional information

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Physical Demands: Physical duties include frequent walking, standing, bending, lifting, crawling, climbing, stretching, pushing, pulling, and kneeling. Work requires physical effort such as frequently lifting and moving heavy objects over 50 lbs., hooking up equipment and attachments to vehicles, loading and unloading vehicles, etc. During the course of normal duties, incumbent may occasionally be required to climb ladders and scaffolding, work below ground level, remain in strained or cramped positions for extended periods of time, and work on slopes or stairs.

Working Conditions: Incumbent will spend at least 35% of his/her time performing sedentary administrative work. This includes sitting to complete work on computers, reading digital and paper documents, typing documents and correspondence, answering phone calls, and attending meetings.
The incumbent will also work outside and in greenhouses and is subject to discomfort from working long periods of time in the hot sun and high humidity, in winter weather, inclement weather, and cold temperatures. Incumbent is subject to potential exposure to poisonous insects, wildlife, insecticides, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals in the performance of duties.
Incumbent will be required to wear prescribed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) suitable for the job, equipment, and working conditions. Because of the duties performed, there is the chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, scrapes, and the occasional possibility of serious injury from working with machinery, in areas of high traffic along roadways, or other conditions. Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain certification through the NPS National Chainsaw Safety Program in order to operate a chainsaw in the performance of duties. Incumbent will be required to obtain and maintain clearance through the NPS respiratory program in order to wear a respirator in the performance of duties.

Benefits

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.

Review our benefits

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.

A review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses provided in the Assessment Questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation, you will be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified', or your score will be adjusted accordingly. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you can lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully; errors or omissions can affect your rating.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Rating procedures. These procedures place candidates with veteran's preference above non-preference eligibles within each category. Veterans with a service connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher. Under Category Rating, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

  • Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position
  • Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job
  • Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
You will be evaluated on the following competencies and/or job elements:
  • Ability To Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (other than blueprints)
  • Ability To Lead Or Supervise
  • Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Knowledge of materials
  • Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
  • Use of Measuring Instruments

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/23/2024:

  1. Resume which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
  2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire
  3. Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
    • Veterans Preference Documentation:
      • If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
      • If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
      • If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF15, and if applicable, a completed SF15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
  4. Documentation that you meet Selective Factors.
  5. Documentation for Interagency/Career Transition Assistance Plan consideration if you are a displaced Federal employee within the local commuting area. You must include: 1) Proof you are a displaced Federal employee, e.g., RIF Separation Notice, Notice of Proposed Removal, etc; 2) SF-50s (Notifications of Personnel Action) showing career/conditional tenure competitive status, promotion potential and duty location; and 3) your most recent performance appraisal. To exercise selection priority, displaced or surplus Federal employees must be rated well-qualified or above 85 on the rating criteria for this position.
Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

Do not upload Adobe portfolio documents. Adobe portfolio documents are not viewable by our agency's staffing offices.

How to Apply

To apply for this position: You must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To receive consideration, the complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 09/23/2024.You must provide documentation to support your claim for each eligibility selected. Please review the required documentation listed in the eligibilities language to ensure you submit the appropriate information. Note: You will only be marked eligible for those eligibilities that you selected and provided the appropriate supporting documentation.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD-COPY OR E-MAIL APPLICATION PACKAGES.

  1. Select Apply. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to login or create an account.
  2. Prompted to Start the Application Process by selecting "Start Application."
  3. Select or add the resume you want to use for this application. Click here on how to build a resume in USAJOBS.
  4. Select documents you want included in this application.
  5. Review package to acknowledge your documents were reviewed.
  6. Select if you want to include your demographic information.
  7. After reading and certifying the application is true and submitted in good faith, select "Continue to Agency Site."
  8. Follow onscreen prompts and instructions to complete your application.
  9. Add the supporting documents by indexing your documents with the dropdown.
    • Upload any missing required documents or optional documents.
  10. Review and Submit Application.
  11. While logged in, you can check the status of your application by selecting "+" next to the job title for this position.
  12. You can review or revise your application at any point during the open period of the announcement.
    • To update an application, you should log into your USAJOBS account and select "+" next to the job title for this position. Select "Update Application" for this job.
    • Note: When you click Update Application, you will be prompted to re-select your documents from USAJOBS. Documents submitted with the first application will no longer be associated with the applicant record. So it is important that you select all documents you want to use in the re-application.
Please note, the eligibility section of the application process is designed to allow you to choose how you wish to be considered for this vacancy announcement. You will ONLY be considered for the appointment eligibilities that you select. You must provide the supporting documentation to support your claim. Please review the list of documentation provided in the eligibilities language to ensure you provide the appropriate information. You may choose more than one eligibility.

Agency contact information

Sierre-Telete Adams
Address
National Capital Parks-East
1900 Anacostia Drive SE
WASHINGTON, DC 20020
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once the Occupational Questionnaire is received you will receive acknowledgement that your submission was successful. If you are among the most qualified candidates and your name is referred to the hiring official, you may be contacted directly for a possible interview. You will be notified of the status of your Application Package at the time candidates are referred for consideration, and when the selection process is complete.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.