U.S. Botanic Gardens/Architect of the Capitol
Deadline: March 27, 2009

Salary Range: $86,927-$113,007
Announcement Number: BG-2009-099
GS Number: GS-0437-13
Reference Code: XGSIZ

This position is located in the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), Horticulture Division. The incumbent is responsible for managing the appearance, quality, operation, human resources, and leadership of the Horticulture Division. The manager leads and coordinates all activities, exhibits and projects that take occur in the Division, in the Conservatory and in the outdoor gardens.

More specifically, the incumbent supervises a staff of employees, interns, contractors, and numerous volunteers performing horticultural work at the USBG. Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the unit. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff members; observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Develops work improvement plans; recommends personnel actions. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Assures that subordinates are trained and fully comply with the provisions of the safety regulations. Also, responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of EEO objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices.

Serves as a technical expert in horticultural design projects of considerable scope and complexity. Assists in identifying the scope and nature of major repair and restoration work. Collaborates with horticulturists, designers, public programs and operations staff, architects, landscape architects and estimators in planning exhibits, projects, repairs and public events.
Ensures that all plants are of the highest quality, healthy and well grown. Develops and implements an Integrated Pest Management Program throughout the gardens. Maintains a regular fertilization and maintenance program. Ensures that all areas are free of weeds and debris.

Designs, implements and exhibits new plant introductions to the public. Selects new plants for USBG collections and for exhibits. Collaborates in the plan of year round crops; schedules deliveries and exchanges.

Plans and implements regular soil improvement programs for each facility, taking necessary steps to change, treat and amend existing soil. Ensures that all organic materials are recycled and/or composted.

Serves as an expert analyst in the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems. Performs long-range planning and analysis of new substantive agency programs where precedents are scarce or nonexistent.

Reviews productivity in all areas, monitors problem areas, conceives and oversees implementation of solutions to problems. Conducts periodic and comprehensive evaluations of ongoing functions to ensure that the organization meets its stated goals, and identifies areas where operational efficiency can be enhanced. Recommends actions necessary to maintain or improve the quality and quantity of operational services, introducing or refining automation, reorganizing operating units, reassigning personnel and proposing the increase of organization resources.

Coordinates greenhouse activities including the propagation of rare and unique plant materials to maintain an optimum variety of healthy plants. Plans and recommends experiments to determine the best methods of planting, spraying, disease control, cultivating, and fertilizing to ensure maximum plant quality. Maintains plant diversity through the exchange of rare and unusual seeds and slips with plant enthusiasts, cooperative extension programs, and botanical gardens, as well as by performing experimental planting and grafting. Oversees the watering, treatment, and cultivation of potted plants.

Plans and implements educational activities and training sessions relating to horticultural and renovation projects. Provides technical information to public and private organizations, universities, botanic gardens, conservatories and agricultural extension offices.

Develops and implements sustainable projects and activities throughout the Botanic Garden including energy reduction, recycling and reuse.

Serves as expert in exhibit facility design and requirements. Is 'on call' to respond to emergencies when they arise. ??Works with employees from the Architect of the Capitol on division related projects. Works as a Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) to ensure that work is handled according to contractual specifications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
* Ability to supervise, direct and coordinate multi-discipline horticultural operations.
* Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, methods and techniques of horticulture.
* Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop solutions.
* Knowledge of horticultural exhibit planning and/or development.
* Ability to meet and deal with managers in entities that specialize in botany.

Minimum Requirements:

A. Applicants must show successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30-semester/45-quarter hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16-semester/24-quarter hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post-harvest handling of horticultural crops.

OR

B. 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.

Additional Experience Requirements:

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have had one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12. Specialized experience is experience that is in or related to the line of work of the position to be filled and that has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Benefits:

A variety of health insurance plans; retirement system with investment options; paid holiday; paid sick and annual (vacation) leave; life insurance; incentive systems; subsidized transportation; training and development opportunities, etc.
The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or must be authorized to work in the United States. A supervisory trial period required. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Tour of duty includes weekends, holidays and special events as required.

To Apply:
This position is being filled through an online application system. Any additional required forms must be attached as text or image files to your job application. Forms received by fax, email, or U.S. Postal Service Delivery will not be accepted. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact the employing office (202-226-7000) for alternate application procedures.

To apply, go to: http://www.avuedigitalservices.com/aoc/applicant.html

Once you have logged in, please enter the code XGSIZ into the "Reference Code" field in the top right on the screen.

For more information, contact Armetia Mobley at 202-226-8136.