Horticulturist

Summary The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free. Learn more about this agency Duties This position is located organizationally in the Division of Horticulture (AFM-HS), Facilities Management(AFM), National Gallery of Art. The incumbent serves as a Horticulturist under the direct supervision of the Head of Horticulture. The incumbent’s primary responsibility is ensuring the health and aesthetics of both permanent and temporary interior plantings throughout the public and non-public areas in all Gallery spaces. As a Horticulturist, the incumbent oversees/ assists with the installation and maintenance of seasonal and permanent plantings, special exhibits, floral arrangements and actively participates in horticultural programs. Incumbent’s completed work is seen by visitors, staff, artists, donors, high ranking government employees and foreign dignitaries. Duties for this position include: Prepare and disperse horticultural chemicals as required, including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Maintain proper records associated with all applications of horticultural chemicals in areas of responsibility. Maintains DC pesticide license and relevant categories related to ornamentals and turfgrass.  Prepare and implement maintenance and planting schedules. Schedules include pruning, mowing, edging, fertilizing, pesticide and herbicide application, water requirements and proper timing for each function. They also formulate renovation schedules for different landscape areas as needed. Possess' knowledge and ability to select and use proper equipment to complete project tasks; has ability to perform basic maintenance and repair of equipment if necessary. The incumbent creates schedules for special projects in association with sculpture installation or building renovation.  Serve as assistant snow removal coordinator sufficient to devise and implement snow removal plan. Ability to monitor local weather to schedule staff when needed; determine the have proper equipment and supplies ready for each storm, i.e.: salt, shovel, fuel, equipment, and manpower; monitor the progress of staff during the storms; and ensure that the site is accessible during and after storms. Disperse horticultural information in response to inquiries from the public, horticultural staff, contractors, and other National Gallery of Art staff. Provides direction to staff and volunteers on daily basis to ensure tasks are completed correctly. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a United States Citizen. This employer participates in the e-Verify program. Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service. Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation. Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period Position requires selectee to currently have/obtain DC pesticide license Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website. It is your responsibility to ensure that you submit appropriate documentation prior to the closing date. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant experience as it relates to this job announcement. Be clear and specific when describing your work history since human resources cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Your resume must include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week. Qualifications Specialized Experience Statementl: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service or private sector, experience performing horticultural work such as maintaining ornamental plants, shrubs, trees, turf or landscaped grounds.  Applicants can substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position.  Submission of transcripts is required if substituting education. OPM Qualifications Standard: General Schedule Qualification Standards Individual Occupational Requirements: Horticulture Series 0437 Associated Group standard: Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process. If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions. Education This position does have an education requirement. SUBMISSION OF TRANSCRIPTS IS REQUIRED.  Degree: horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post harvest handling of horticultural crops. OR Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in horticulture or a related discipline of basic plant science that included course work as shown in 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Education: Courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, and similar courses may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in basic plant sciences. The 16-semester-hour requirement in horticulture includes course work in basic horticulture and course work related to any of the recognized subject-matter fields of horticulture, i.e., fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, nursery work, seed production, or course work in related areas of science, such as micro-biology, entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, or genetics that is directly related to horticultural work. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. Additional information The National Gallery of Art fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. EEO Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/equal-employment-opportunityMore than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. This position is included in the bargaining unit. Relocation expenses will not be paid. 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.Reasonable Accommodation Policy: https://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation Veterans Information: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veteransSelective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/ Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibilityrequirements visit the following websites: Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses Other Special Appointment Authorities Reasonable Accommodation Requests: The National Gallery of Art provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the contact person listed in this announcement.  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. The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.  Please see Benefits at https://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description. Flexible Spending Accounts - https://www.fsafeds.com/ Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.aspLeave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.aspLife Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.aspRetirement Program - https://www.opm.gov/retirement-services/ 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.