Assistant Supervisor, Gardener

Summary This position is located at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Capitol Grounds and Arboretum; Gardening Division. The Gardener Assistant Supervisor assists with maintaining the overall efficiency and effectiveness of maintenance of the grounds. This includes the lawns, landscape beds, hardscape and all adjoining parks of the U.S. Capitol Building, House and Senate Office Buildings, Page schools and Childcare centers, Union Square and Staff parking lots. Learn more about this agency Duties *** 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.* Requirements 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. Additional information Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#6.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.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. Expand Hide  additional information 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. 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). 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.