Supervisory Interdisciplinary Horticulturist/Landscape Architect

Smithsonian Gardens; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithsonian Gardens, within the Smithsonian Institution, seeks a Supervisory Interdisciplinary Horticulturist/Landscape Architect to lead horticulture operations and landscape design across public gardens and assets in Washington, DC.

You will direct teams, set technical standards, and coordinate with internal and external partners to sustain landscapes and plant collections, while ensuring preparedness and continuity of operations.

Qualifications

• Degree in horticulture or related plant science with 30 semester hours in basic plant sciences.
• Combination of education and experience substituting for required education per the rules.
• Landscape architecture degree or equivalent with original landscape design experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct horticulture and landscape operations; establish priorities, procedures, and standards; evaluate resources and program effectiveness.
• Direct horticulture, landscape planning and operations through subordinates.
• Represent the organization and coordinate with internal teams, professional organizations, governmental partners, and external stakeholders.
• Direct emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and continuity activities for horticulture and landscape operations; develop procedures and coordinate with safety and security teams.

Skills

Leadership

Horticulture operations

Landscape design

Plant stewardship

Sustainable landscape management

Education

Degree: horticulture

Degree: landscape architecture

Combination of education and experience

Job description

Summary

The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo. This position is located in the Smithsonian Gardens, Facilities Management. Smithsonian Gardens is responsible for managing public gardens, living plant collections, greenhouse and nursery operations, and landscape assets.

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.

Qualifications

Applicants can apply based on basic qualification requirements for two different series, Horticulture or Landscape Architecture:

Basic Education Requirements for Horticulture Series 0437:

1. 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

2. 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:

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

or

2. 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.

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.

Who May Apply: Position link for All Citizens

Who May Apply: Position link for Individuals with Disabilities, Government Wide/Status Only, Land Management, Military spouses, Family of overseas employees, Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista, Special authorities, Veterans