Clarification from the agency

Applications will be Accepted from All US Citizens Note: Please be advised that federal retired annuitant candidates may only be considered as a temporary employee if the role can be filled in that capacity.

This position serves as Supervisory Horticulturist (Gardens and Grounds Manager)

Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday (6:00 AM - 2:30 PM) Hours May Change Due to Needs of Management

***This position is essential. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather situations.

A Valid Driver's License is required.

Maintains DC pesticide license in categories III – A, B & C.

Please Note: 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.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Supervisory and Managerial Responsibilities

Serves on the CGA senior leadership team, contributing leadership and guidance to all aspects of the organization’s operations.

Supervises the staff of the division through subordinate supervisors. Performs administrative and technical supervisory functions for subordinates. Assigns duties and evaluates performance. Manages the organizational unit’s budget and workload. Develops performance requirements for subordinates and ensures a mutual understanding of the performance standards. Resolves complaints and grievances.

Provides advice and counsel to subordinates on administrative and technical work matters. Effects disciplinary measures as delegated to do so. Reviews and approves or disapproves requests for leave in a manner that ensures adequate coverage of the unit’s work functions.

Provides leadership to ensure support for equal employment opportunity (EEO) goals and requirements. Practices non-discriminatory and non-retaliatory employment actions and prevents unlawful discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, age or disability. Provides for employee skills enrichment through job related coaching, mentoring and training. The incumbent will foster a culture of learning, sharing, cooperation and teamwork that improves efficiency and effectiveness throughout the organization.

Utilizes a thorough knowledge of and compliance with all OSHA safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and to initiate or take corrective action on unsafe conditions in managed areas. Provides or receives training, either on the job or through classroom training, to ensure that all direct reports know how to use required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Routinely checks to verify that subordinates are using all required PPE.

Garden and Grounds Leadership

In conjunction with the Deputy Director, provides professional leadership of subordinate supervisors and team leaders of Urban Forester, Plant Health Care Specialist, Turfgrass Specialists, Certified Arborists, horticulturists, gardeners and other plant science specialists. Outlines overall responsibilities, makes assignments, sets priorities and provides professional, technical and administrative advice and assistance as required. Plans organizational structure and staffing needs, determines types of jobs required and assigns duties to key subordinate positions. Reviews and approves justifications for personnel requirements, reviews and approves job descriptions and selects key employees. Resolves complaints and grievances within scope of authority and refers others to higher authority with appropriate recommendations. 

Directs work of Plant Health Care Specialist to ensure optimum health of the living collection. 

In collaboration with the Deputy Director and Director, oversees the development and execution of the CGA arboretum program including specimens of historical significance. Responsible for directing work of the Urban Forester and coordinating work prioritization and work execution of over 4,800 trees to maintain health and safety. Collaborates with federal agencies, professional organizations and academia to maintain international arboretum accreditation.

Directs the work of Turfgrass manager and the turf team. Prioritizes work and plans budget and resource needs. 

Prepares comprehensive reports on both the technical and administrative aspects of the program for higher management levels. Collaborates with AOC staff in conducting studies for proposed projects. Determines methods of data collection and analysis necessary to carry out extremely complex gardens and grounds designs.

Contract Administration

Advises the Deputy Director on the use of outside contractors when that is the most reasonable course of action to accomplish specific aspects of a job or an entire work project that cannot be performed by AOC staff. Recommends changes, additions to or deletions from contracts. Participates with the Deputy Superintendent in negotiations of these contracts.

Develops Statements of Work for procurement. Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative (COTR) for designated contracts.

Conditions of employment

• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• You must meet education requirements at the time of application.
• You must possess a valid, unexpired state motor vehicle driver's license.

To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:

• 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.

This position requires a valid District of Columbia (D.C.) pesticide applicator's license or is willing to obtain their license in the first year of their employment in categories (3A) exterior ornamental plants, (3B) interior plant-scapes and/or (3C) turf grass.

IMPORTANT NOTE: 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.

*Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.*

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position.  You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.  Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards
 
Specialized experience: is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.  To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
 
Candidates for the GS-13 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-12) grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience for this position must demonstrate the following:

• Leading or supervising employees in the performance of horticultural work.
• Planning horticultural projects and activities, including plant collections, installation, maintenance and displays.
• Modifying or adapting standard techniques, processes and procedures and promoting knowledge and understanding of plants.
• Assessing and applying strategies and plans to overcome significant practical gardening problems.

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 knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) 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 knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Ability to organize and direct horticultural projects, set priorities and deadlines to meet established goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and practices of botany and horticulture.
• Knowledge of plant collections, characteristics, and nomenclature.
• Contract Management

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 not hiring you or disqualification for 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).