Gardener (Motor Vehicle Operator)

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture invites applications for a Gardener position within the National Plant Germplasm System in Laurel, MD.

The role focuses on propagating imported plants and conducting tests to prevent pest introductions during germplasm importation and testing for industry, research, and preservation. Responsibilities include greenhouse propagation, soil preparation, transplanting, pruning, fertilizing, irrigation, and assisting with lab, greenhouse, and field pathogen tests.

Qualifications

• Ability to propagate and grow plants; work with healthy and inoculated test plants.
• Ability to interpret instructions and standards for lab/field work.
• Ability to use and maintain gardening tools and equipment.
• Dexterity for precise horticultural tasks and safety awareness.
• Knowledge of materials used in greenhouse operations and field work.
• Knowledge of technical practices in plant propagation and testing.
• Ability to use measuring instruments for plant care and data collection.

Responsibilities

• Propagate and grow imported plants in greenhouses, growth chambers, and field plots.
• Prepare soil mixes; sow seeds; transplant seedlings; prune and water plants.
• Plant fruit trees and rootstocks; fertilize and prune trees; manage irrigation.
• Assist crop specialists in lab, greenhouse, and field tests for pathogens.
• Erect and maintain fences; mow grass; manage diseased trees and weed control.
• Maintain inventories and run local errands for supplies.
• Operate tractors and government vehicles as needed.

Skills

Gardening

Safety & Tools

Tool use

Measuring tools

Materials knowledge

Technical practices

Dexterity

Job description

Summary

If selected you will work with scientists and crop specialists to propagate and grow prohibited and quarantined plants and other plants used to test germplasm for pathogens to prevent the introduction of foreign pests during the importation of prohibited plant germplasm and commercial cultivars for industry, research, breeding or preservation in the National Plant Germplasm System.

Major Duties

• Propagate and grow imported plants as well as healthy and inoculated indicator plants in greenhouses, growth chambers, screen houses, field plots and orchards.
• Prepare soil mixes; sow seeds; plant and transplant seedlings or rooted propagations; budding, grafting, labeling, pruning, fertilizing, and watering herbaceous and woody plants.
• Prepare field plots; plant fruit trees or rootstocks; fertilize, prune, and water trees (using a drip irrigation system).
• Assists crop specialists in conducting lab, greenhouse, and field tests for submicroscopic pathogens: collecting and extracting samples, inoculating and labeling and caring for inoculated test plants.
• Erecting and repairing fences, mowing grass, rouging diseased trees, controlling weeds with physical and chemical removal, and removing trees when field tests are complete.
• Maintains inventories of community greenhouse supplies; runs errands to locations in the surrounding area to obtain supplies or deliver items.
• Mow grass in orchard and operates small to medium tractors and government vehicles (trucks and automobiles).

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Evaluations

Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures and USDA policy using category rating. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Ability to do the work of a Gardener without more than normal supervision Ability to interpret instructions, specifications; other than blueprints Ability to use and maintain tools and equipment Dexterity and Safety Knowledge of materials Technical practices (theoretical, precise, artistic) Use of measuring instruments Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13074223

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks. Resume cannot exceed two pages. Only one resume will be reviewed. If claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted. If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), last performance appraisal that is at least fully successful or its equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330. Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50. Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.

Other Information

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.