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Summary

This position is at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG). The USBG is a public garden in the legislative branch and was established by Congress in 1820. The Garden inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. We provide educational experiences to 1 million visitors annually, present horticultural displays and exhibits, strive to break down barriers to inclusion, and advance the exchange of ideas and information. Learn more:  U.S. Botanic Garden.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/21/2026 to 02/20/2026
Salary
$32.85 to - $40.55 per hour
Pay scale & grade
WG 09 - 10
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Architect of the Capitol
Washington, DC
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Permanent, Full Time
Work schedule
Full-time - This is an Excepted Service position and does not require/confer civil service Competitive Status
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
11 - Full Performance Level is WG-11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
USBG-2026-051
Control number
855094300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

See Requirements section of this announcement for information on who may apply.

Duties

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This position serves as a Maintenance Mechanic at the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), performing journey-level and developmental work across multiple skilled trades, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing/pipefitting, boiler plant operations, and carpentry.

This is a career ladder position with promotion potential to WG-11.

Employees selected at the WG-09 level will perform developmental assignments under closer supervision.

As experience and proficiency increase, assignments become progressively more complex until the full performance level is reached.

This is an essential position. The incumbent is required to report to work during emergencies and inclement weather. The tour of duty may include holidays, weekends, and rotating shifts.

Duties quoted below are for the WG-10 grade level.

Major Duties Include:

HVAC

Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, install, and operate a wide range of commercial and industrial HVAC systems.

Diagnose control and equipment malfunctions using testing instruments and prescribed procedures.

Perform repairs involving heating, cooling, humidification, dehumidification, filtration, and air circulation systems supporting USBG facilities and greenhouses.

Balance systems and resolve complex HVAC performance issues at the WG-10 level.

Electrical Monitoring and Equipment

Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electrical control and monitoring systems.

Diagnose malfunctions in relay systems, interface devices, and analog/digital controls.

Test electrical systems for correct operating conditions and compliance with applicable codes.

Plumbing/Pipefitting Systems

Install, alter, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair high- and low-pressure piping systems.

Work on domestic water, sewage, steam generation, hydronic heating, fire sprinkler, irrigation, and tempered water systems.

Carpentry

Construct, install, repair, and modify wood and wood substitute structures.

Perform glazing, painting, finishing, and installation of partitions, flooring, ceilings, countertops, moldings, and greenhouse glazing components.

Safely operate hand and power woodworking tools.

Maintains and Repairs Boilers

Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair low- and medium-pressure boilers and associated auxiliary equipment.

Conduct scheduled preventive maintenance, inspections, and seasonal system shutdown/startup activities.

Monitor and adjust computer-operated environmental control systems supporting greenhouse environments.

Sustains efficient combustion levels and ensures compliance with air pollution laws or regulations.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be able to pass a drug test.
  • Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.

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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must show experience in at least two of the following occupational areas: Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing or Carpentry. This experience must be reflected in your resume.

You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT:  Ability to perform the duties of a maintenance mechanic (i.e. heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical, carpentry, plumbing/pipefitting boiler plant maintenance) without more than normal supervision.

You may qualify at the WG-09 level: Performing hands on maintenance or repair work involving one or more skilled trades, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing/pipefitting, boiler or mechanical systems, or carpentry.

You may qualify at the WG-10 level: Independently performing journey-level maintenance mechanic work across multiple skilled trades, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing/pipefitting, boiler systems, and carpentry, with minimal supervision.

You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

Additional information

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System.  If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.
 
DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.
 
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.
 
The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtm 

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
 
Moving expenses are not authorized.
 
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
 
Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.

All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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

1. Knowledge of Building Maintenance Trades
2. Skill in Troubleshooting and Repair
3. Ability to Use Tools, Equipment, and Diagnostics
4. Knowledge of Safety and Regulatory Requirements
5. Ability to Work Independently and Follow Instructions

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.

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).


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