Gardener

National Gallery of Art; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex Spending Accounts

Health Insurance

Paid Leave

Life Insurance

Retirement Program

Job summary

The National Gallery of Art, Division of Horticultural Services, maintains ten acres of exterior landscape including gardens and grounds surrounding the West and East Buildings and Sculpture Garden.

The position requires performing a full range of gardening duties, equipment operation, and adherence to safety standards while supporting daily operations and special events.

Qualifications

• Ability to do the work with minimal supervision (SCREEN OUT).
• Ability to interpret instructions.
• Ability to use and maintain landscape tools and equipment.
• Knowledge of horticultural materials and plant care basics.
• Dexterity and safety when handling equipment and chemicals.
• Ability to use measuring instruments for planting and maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Perform pruning, watering, weeding, planting, fertilizing, cleaning, mulching and equipment operation.
• Conduct new installations, fertilization and pest control for various plants.
• Monitor turf and perform mowing, fertilization, weed control and pest management.
• Maintain irrigation systems and report deficiencies for proper watering.
• Remove snow/ice and maintain safe access to museum grounds.

Skills

Work unsupervised

Interpret instructions

Use & maintain tools

Materials knowledge

Dexterity & safety

Measuring instruments

Job description

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.

Duties

The Division of Horticultural Services (HS) is responsible for the maintenance of ten acres of exterior landscape; which includes the West and East Buildings of the National Gallery of Art and the six-acre Sculpture Garden. In addition, HS is responsible for four interior gardens, twelve greenhouses, four cold frames and specialty gardens. The division also assumes the responsibility for meeting floral and foliage requirements for over 250 special events per year. Furthermore, the division is responsible for the contract for exterior step washing, sidewalk cleaning, daily exterior trash removal and snow removal. HS is responsible for performing interior maintenance, operation of landscape equipment, exterior landscape maintenance and greenhouse maintenance. In addition, HS preforms special event setup.

Duties For This Position Include

• Performing proper pruning, watering, weeding, planting, fertilizing, cleaning, mulching, pest control, and equipment operation carried out in assigned area, following industry standards.
• Preparing/Conducting new installations, fertilization, chemical weed control and pest control for annual bedding plants, tropical foliage plants, woody plants and herbaceous perennials.
• Monitoring and maintaining turf, proper mowing, fertilization, weeding, insect/disease control, aerating, overseeding, sodding, and edging.
• Monitoring and maintaining irrigation system components and notifying the lead horticulturist of deficiencies in order to ensure proper watering of plant material.
• Removing snow/ice with appropriate equipment, spreading ice melting material as needed in hardscape areas to assure safe access to museums, gardens, support facilities and parking lots.

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
• Direct Deposit: Selectee will be required to participate in the Direct Deposit Electronics Funds Transfer Program.
• Driver's License: You will be required to operate a government (or private) motor vehicle as part of your official duties; a valid driver's license is required. You will be required to submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record.
• Uniform: You will be required to wear a uniform and comply with the National Park Service uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Must be able to obtain a Pesticide Applicator's License in any of the below categories (1) interior plant-scapes, (2) turfgrass (3) exterior ornamental plants within 90 days of employment.
• Requires ability to wear a respirator and other protective clothing.
• Requires participation in a health surveillance program.
• Requires ability to work daily with hazardous chemicals.
• Requires availability for recall to work sites during weather and other emergencies.
• Requires availability for recurring weekend and holiday hours.
• Requires ability to walk, stand, push, bend, stoop, kneel, pull and climb throughout the day.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (SCREEN OUT)
• Ability To Interpret Instructions
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Knowledge of materials
• Dexterity and Safety
• Use of Measuring Instruments

Minimum Qualification Screen-Out

Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.

Specialized Experience Statement for WG-06

Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the WG-05 level in the Federal service or private sector, working in gardens or greenhouses in a museum or cultural institution setting.

Specialized Experience Statement for WG-08

Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the WG-06 level in the Federal service or private sector, performing a full range of gardening duties independently, including plant identification, diagnosing plant stress or pest issues, interpreting planting plans, and safely operating horticultural equipment.

Education

This position does not have an education requirement.

Additional information

The National Gallery of Art fosters a fair workplace and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The EEO policy is found at: http://www.nga.gov/employment-opportunities/equal-employment-opportunity

More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.

This position is 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: http://help.usajobs.gov/reasonable-accommodation

Veterans Information: http://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans

Selective Service Registration: http://www.sss.gov/

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities

For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility

Requirements 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

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.

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.

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.

Please see Benefits at http://www.si.edu/OHR/benefits for a complete description.

• Flexible Spending Accounts - http://www.fsafeds.com/
• Health Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
• Leave - http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/index.asp
• Life Insurance - http://www.opm.gov/insure/life/index.asp
• Retirement Program - http://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.