Clarification from the agency

This position is open to all U.S. Citizens or U.S. Nationals.

The application deadline for this position has been extended to 1/3/2020.

Provides executive leadership and direction in the overall planning, development and implementation of all programs, policies, development, and operations of Smithsonian Gardens (SG).  Is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of all collections and education programs, garden exhibitions and services produced by SG.  The Director sets priorities, plans and implements programs, develops and manages resources, supervises staff, and oversees administration.     

Directs through subordinate supervisors a staff of approximately 50 professional, technical and support employees.  Develops and issues operating plans, procedures and instructions.  Furnishes policy guidance and direction to subordinate supervisors and assures that they carry out their supervisory responsibilities effectively.  Provides leadership in implementing management objectives in areas of equal opportunity and employee management relations.

Develops performance plans for subordinate supervisors, periodically evaluates their work performance, and takes actions to recognize excellent contributions or to improve work performance.   Oversees a volunteer program for approximately 44 volunteer staff members engaged in a variety of horticultural, landscaping, grounds maintenance, nursery management and collections and education management activities.  Oversees an active student program which hosts both graduate and undergraduate students throughout the year. 

Develops and maintains standards and criteria for program development and execution.  Formulates strategic plans for Smithsonian Gardens that dovetail with Smithsonian Facilities and the Smithsonian's (SI) strategic planning.  Directs and coordinates the efforts of horticultural, collections and education staff to ensure that a high quality of performance is maintained and that policy decisions are effectively carried out.  Provides leadership and encourages staff to develop new and innovative ways to achieve program improvements. 

Allocates resources among subordinate divisions and assures that adequate controls are exercised so that expenditures remain within the approved budget.  Works with subordinate supervisors to establish goals and objectives for their individual programs, staff, and resource needs and to develop detailed annual budget requests to support the future needs of SG. 

Plans and coordinates fundraising and development efforts that include benefactor cultivation, development plans and goals, and individual project fundraising.  Efforts include defining projects requiring funding, prioritizing, determining potential sources of money, matching SG’s needs with that of the entire Smithsonian, formal approaches and proposal, and grant writing and submission. 

Explores and develops joint programs in collaboration with other museums and research organizations, both inside and outside the Smithsonian.  Encourages subordinate staff to establish and cultivate collaborative relationships with such organizations in order to advance the interests of SG and the Smithsonian.   

Serves as the Institution’s chief advocate for improvements to overall garden exhibition planning and management.  Attends senior leadership policy meetings and conferences, making significant contributions to the development of Smithsonian policies and priorities as they relate to SG.  Undertakes a variety of representational and liaison duties. Accompanies senior SI leadership or represents and speaks for SI on facilities gardens issues before SI senior management, the Board of Regents, appropriate Committees of the Congress, and the Office of Management and Budget.  Represents the Smithsonian in dealing with other federal agencies, professional and community organizations and municipal governments.  The purpose of such contacts is to influence or persuade persons or groups to accept opinions or to gain support for SG initiatives.  Represents the Smithsonian by providing presentations and tours to various high level boards, commissions, and professional organizations.

Keeps abreast of latest private and public sector developments in the field of public garden management, and promotes continuous partnering, liaison and benchmarking with counterparts in other gardens organizations; evaluates the applicability of those developments to the Smithsonian and incorporates best practices into SG programs.  Actively oversees a partnering relationship with the Garden Club of America. 

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-Employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service

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Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

A) Bachelor’s degree: in horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post-harvest handling of horticultural crops.

— OR —

B) Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Evaluation of Education: Courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, and similar courses may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in basic plant sciences.

The 16-semester-hour requirement in horticulture includes course work in basic horticulture and course work related to any of the recognized subject-matter fields of horticulture, i.e., fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, nursery work, seed production, or course work in related areas of science, such as micro-biology, entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, or genetics that is directly related to horticultural work.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE

In addition, applicants must have one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-15 level. Specialized experience is defined as the demonstrated knowledge and leadership skills as it relates to planning and managing an extensive and multifaceted public garden exhibition, garden collections and educational programming for a large organization. 

The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience in leading, planning and managing garden exhibitions, landscaping, garden collections, greenhouses and horticulture-related educational and outreach programming.

2. Leadership experience at the managerial level that includes goal setting, establishing policies and procedures, and developing strategies for a large and geographically dispersed organization.

3. Knowledge and skill in executive level program planning, budgetary process, and resource management including developing program/project performance tracking and upward reporting systems.

4. Leadership and familiarity with management of functions such as exhibitions, research, collections management, and conservation.

5. Skill in leading, supervising, and managing a multi-disciplined and culturally diverse workforce, including fostering teamwork and high morale; attracting, retaining, motivating, and providing guidance to a diverse workforce; and implementing EEO/Affirmative Action policies and programs.

How you will be evaluated

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

The qualifications listed in this document will be used along with your resume and your responses to the questions posed in the electronic application process to determine the candidates who will move forward in the evaluation process. When crafting your responses to the questions, please provide concise, detailed information on your background and experience.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide sufficient information regarding how your education and experience relate to the major duties and qualifications criteria listed for this position.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the average number of hours per week spent in such employment.
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