Duties

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.

Requirements

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.*

How You Will Be Evaluated

• 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.

  A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holidays; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc.
  Selected applicant(s) may be eligible to earn a higher annual leave accrual rate credit towards annual leave accrual based on prior non-Federal or uniformed service work experience. The amount of service credit will be based on specialized experience or qualifying experience that is provided on the applicant profile submitted. As such, if you are a new employee to the Federal Government or a rehire, it is important that you provide a work history that lists all directly related positions held, and it must include the dates of employment (month/day/year).

  The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program.

  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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  The Architect of the Capitol's job application process is designed to ensure that we only ask you for the information that is absolutely needed to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility for the position.
  To apply for this position, you only need to submit online the following: a) your resume and 2) answer the online vacancy assessment questionnaire. The online questionnaire contains eligibility and screening questions and other relevant supplemental information. No additional documentation or attachment is required at the time of application.
  We ask that you prepare and submit a resume that best describes fully your background experience, skills, abilities, education, training and other relevant credentials. The resume should include dates of employment.
  Nothing further is required until it is requested by the staff of the Human Capital Management Division. If additional documentation is required for a position, you will be asked to provide it during the selection process or upon selection. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume.
  For example, we may ask you to provide documents such as college transcripts, copy of diploma or proof of Federal employment status. If the position requires a license or certification, we will ask candidate(s) to provide proof at the time of selection.
  If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of Veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, the SF-15 plus proof required by that form).
  If you fail to provide the required documents, we will withdraw a tentative job offer made and/or remove you from further consideration.

  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• How to Apply

  You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
  If you are a new user to the USAJobs Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJobs user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help setting up an account or for general help using USAJobs, go to USAJobs Help Page.
  NEED HELP?
  If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at MGSHELP@monster.com. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times.
  All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJobs “Saved Documents” feature.
  If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.

  Agency contact information

  Paulette Dixon-Ellis

  Phone

  000-000-0000

  Fax

  000-000-0000

  Email

  Paulette.Dixon-Ellis@aoc.gov

  Address

  Architect of the Capitol
  2nd and D Street, S.W.
  Washington, District of Columbia 20515
  United States

  Next steps

  You will receive a notice generated by the USAJobs System when you have successfully submitted your application. After all application packages have been received, we will review your application and transcript(s) (if you are qualifying based on education) to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements.
  You can check the status of your application by logging into http://www.usajobs.gov. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application has changed by logging into your USAJobs Account, editing your profile and changing the ‘Notification Settings’ to indicate that you want to be notified by email when the status changes. Information regarding the status of your application should be updated in the system within two (2) weeks after the closing date of this job announcement.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Criminal history inquiries
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

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.