Supervisory Interdisciplinary Horticulturist/Landscape Architect.

Smithsonian Institution; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

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Retirement Program

Job summary

The Smithsonian Institution seeks a Supervisory Interdisciplinary Horticulturist/Landscape Architect to lead horticulture operations, landscape design, plant stewardship, and sustainable landscape management at Smithsonian Gardens.

This senior role directs teams, coordinates with internal and external partners, and oversees emergency preparedness, continuity, and asset protection, emphasizing leadership and program development.

Qualifications

• One year specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 in leading or managing horticulture or landscape programs.
• Experience overseeing garden or landscape planning, improvement, and maintenance projects.

Responsibilities

• Direct horticulture and landscape operations; establishes priorities, procedures, and standards.
• Direct horticulture, landscape planning and operations via subordinate supervisors and staff.
• Coordinate with internal teams, professional organizations, governmental partners, and external stakeholders on gardens and landscapes.

Skills

Horticulture management

Landscape design leadership

Stakeholder coordination

Emergency preparedness

Team leadership

Education

Bachelors in horticulture

Bachelor's or higher in landscape architecture

Job description

Duties

The Supervisory Interdisciplinary Horticulturist/Landscape Architect provides leadership and expertise in horticulture operations, landscape design, plant stewardship, and sustainable landscape management.

In This Position, You Will:

• Direct horticulture and landscape operations; establishes priorities, operating procedures, and technical standards; evaluates resource needs and program effectiveness; and recommends improvements.
• Direct horticulture, landscape planning and operations activities through subordinate supervisors and staff.
• Represent the organization and coordinates with internal teams, professional organizations, governmental partners, and external stakeholders on activities affecting gardens and landscapes.
• Direct emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and continuity activities for Smithsonian Gardens’ horticulture and landscape operations. Develops and implements emergency procedures; coordinates with emergency management, safety, security, facilities, and operational personnel and establishes priorities for protecting assets.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Investigation
• May need to complete a Probationary Period
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
• May be required to serve an 12-month probationary period for supervisors.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on

Qualifications

Basic Qualification Requirements:

Basic Education Requirements For Horticulture Series 0437:

• 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 A 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.

Basic Education Requirements For Landscape Architecture Series 0807:

• Degree: Bachelor's or higher degree in landscape architecture or landscape design.

or

• Combination of education and experience: For each year short of graduation, the applicant must have had 1 year of experience under professional leadership and guidance of such character and diversity as to be a satisfactory substitute for the required education. This experience must have included original landscape design.

To qualify based on education, you must submit a legible copy of transcripts from an with your name, school name, credit hours, course level, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking. Transcripts do not need to be official, however if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify you must provide an official transcript before you begin work.

In Addition To Meeting The Basic Requirement Above, To Qualify For This Position You Must Also Meet The Specialized Experience And/or Education Requirements Listed Below:

GS-14 Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal Service. For this position, specialized experience is defined as leading or managing horticulture or landscape programs & overseeing the technical aspects of garden or landscape planning, improvement, and maintenance projects; and working with other teams and partners to resolve competing work priorities and resource needs.

Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual 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). 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.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Or a Combination: Education and experience may be combined to meet the basic qualifications. For a full explanation of this option please see the

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Additional information

• This position is not included in the bargaining unit.

Recruitment Incentive:

Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position. However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.

Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities:

The following links contain information on the eligibility requirements to be considered under a noncompetitive appointing authority:

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

The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Please see Benefits at

Flexible Spending Accounts -

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Life Insurance -

Long Term Care Insurance -

Retirement Program -