An excellent opportunity just came across my desk and I had to share! The Architect of the Capitol is hiring a gardener! You might be asking yourself, well what does this mean? Well, The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum is responsible for preserving and maintaining acres of landscape across Capitol Hill including plantings and infrastructure. The Gardener performs gardening tasks in support of the overall efficiency and effectiveness in the maintenance of the Capitol Grounds. So that means you, yes you!, could be helping preserve the beauty of our nation’s capitol’s most iconic government areas.
If this interests you, please don’t hesitate to apply! The position posting closes on February 10th!
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/700653000?utm_name=
This position is designated as an “Emergency Essential Employee.” The selectee will be required to work in emergency situations and in inclement weather conditions.
Tour of duty: May include holidays and weekends on a regular and recurring basis. Rotating shift work may also be required at management’s discretion. Regular tour of duty may be Monday – Friday or Tuesday – Saturday at management’s discretion.
To apply pesticides in the District of Columbia (D.C.), employee must possess a valid D.C. pesticide applicator’s license in categories (3A) exterior ornamental plants, (3B) interior plant-scapes and/or (3C) turf grass, dependent upon the pesticides used.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the required licenses or registration are not obtained within the time periods specified, the employee will be terminated for failure to meet the conditions of continued employment.
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
Major Duties
– Plants, transplants and cares for flowers, trees and shrubs. Trims, prunes and aerates plants and plant materials.
– Plants seedlings, bulbs, shrubs and trees in patterns, beds and selected locations to achieve a pleasing appearance of the gardens and grounds. Trims and prunes hedges, shrubbery and other plants.
– Cares for and maintains decorative plants in various rooms and courtyards of the Capitol Grounds. Waters and fertilizes plants and removes dead growth.
– Uses gas, electric and hand shears and pruning cutters to prune and trim to appropriate shape and size according to specific instructions. Uses appropriate pruning techniques to obtain desired configuration for the type of shrubbery in the garden plan. Checks foliage in surrounding areas to observe other plants to determine pruning requirements.
– Recognizes and treats diseases, cold damage and mineral deficiencies. Applies fertilizers. Replaces dead or dying plants.
– Calculates quantities of plants, seeds, fertilizer and other materials needed for specific areas.
– Prepares soil from instructions on the proper mixture of such materials as sand, humus, topsoil and fertilizer. Places seeds and plants in soil at proper depth, taking care not to damage roots while transplanting.
– Selects, measures, mixes and applies chemical control agents and fertilizers using foliage feeding, root feeding and soil additive techniques. Roots, grafts, layers and documents soil beds, plants, seedlings, cuttings and seeds using knowledge of chemical composition, depth, moisture, temperature, humidity and ventilation requirements to encourage germination and growth.
– Follows safety rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. Complies with OSHA safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and use of any required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen.
- You must be able to pass a drug test.
- Your resume and question responses must demonstrate job-related elements.
- Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
“To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below:
- A citizen of the United States;
- A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
- A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;
- A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
- A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States.”
Qualifications
You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.
You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT:
Ability to perform gardening work without more than normal supervision which includes working independently, showing job responsibility and exercising initiative.
Qualification at the WG-6 level: Assists with gardening projects and has a working knowledge of gardening practices in order to maintain a diverse group of plants.