Clarification from the agency

See Requirements section of this announcement for information on who may apply. 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 is essential. The selectee is required to report to work during adverse weather emergency and will be required to work overtime in emergency and inclement weather***

Assistant Supervisor is responsible for the management, planning, operations and appearance of the AOC gardens and grounds and their meeting the highest standards of horticultural excellence. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

In the absence of the Gardener Supervisor, exercises the full range of supervisory duties and responsibilities over the gardener workforce. 

Assists the Gardener Supervisor to plan work operations and determine the sequence, priority and time to perform particular operations. 

Exercises administrative authority to plan the use of workers, equipment, facilities and materials. 

Coordinates work with supporting and related work functions controlled by other unit supervisors, contractors and USCP. 

Recommends solutions to staffing problems and work operations directed by other supervisors. 

Prunes and Trims Plants

Recommends new plants and designs for the Capitol Buildings’ outdoor and indoor gardens.
Collaborates with AOC staff to improve the appearance and quality of gardens and parks.
Initiates creative to achieve high impact and visual beauty.

Assists the Gardener Supervisor with the direction of and performs tasks in planting, transplanting and caring for flowers, shrubs, trees and lawns. 

Assists the Gardener Supervisor with the direction of or performs tasks related to lawn and turf maintenance. This includes amending, aerating, disking, edging, fertilizing, grading, leaf removal, leveling, mowing, raking, seeding, sodding, spraying, trimming, watering and weeding.

Propagates and Cultivates Soil and Plants

Assists the Gardener Supervisor with implementing the Division’s insect and disease control program utilizing an Integrated Pest Management philosophy. 

Support of AOC Special Events

Actively participates in special events and programs with AOC staff, USCP, Sergeants at Arms, Construction Management Division and Superintendent of Buildings to coordinate and ensure specific goals. 

Performs other related duties as required.

*Applicants must possess and maintain a valid and unexpired state driver's license at the time of application.*

*Employee must apply to become a pesticide Registered Technician in the District of Columbia within 30 days of the effective date of employment.*

Conditions of employment

• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements.
• You must have a valid, unexpired driver's license at time of application.
• Must apply for pesticide Registered Tech within 30 days of employment.

“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.”

• 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

Qualifications

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

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

-Have ability to supervise employees in the performance of gardening work. (Screen-out)

-Possess a valid, unexpired driver’s license at the time of application.

-Apply to become a pesticide "Registered Technician" in the District of Columbia within 30 days of the effective date of employment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If the required licenses or registration are not obtained within the time periods specified, the incumbent will be terminated for failure to meet the conditions of continued employment.

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:

• Ability to supervise employees in the performance of gardening work. (Screen-out)
• Technical gardening practices and techniques.
• Ability to interpret instructions specific to the gardening trade.
• Ability to use and maintain gardening tools and equipment.
• Dexterity and Safety

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).