[PCA] JOB: Head of Horticulture position open at USBG (Washington, DC)

[Olivia Kwong]

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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
EMPLOYER: Architect of the Capitol
LOCATION: Washington, Dist of Columbia
SALARY RANGE: $86,927.00-$113,007.00
CLOSE DATE: 3-27-2009
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: BG-2009-099
OPENING DATE: 3-12-2009
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 13
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Anyone may apply
WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time
TIME LIMIT: Permanent - No time limit
CONTACT NAME: Armetia Mobley
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: (202) 226-8136
CONTACT EMAIL: amobley at aoc.gov
LOCATION: Architect of the Capitol; United States Botanic Garden (USBG),
Horticulture Division.

THIS POSITION IS BEING FILLED THROUGH AN ON-LINE APPLICATION SYSTEM.
To apply, go to http://www.avuedigitalservices.com/aoc/applicant.html (Be
sure URL is typed in all lower case).

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
for alternate application procedures. Please call 202-226-7000.

ANNOUNCEMENT CLOSES AT 11:59 PM ON THE CLOSING DATE.
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any
of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.
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Tour of duty includes weekends, holidays and special events as required.
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DUTIES:
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 FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
BASIC 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.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:
Applications submitted by any form of mail delivery will not be accepted.
Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by
the closing date of this announcement.
The Office of the Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity
Employer. This Office prohibits discrimination on the basis of race,
religion, sex, color, age, national origin, or disability.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with
disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the
application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on
granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Moving expenses are not authorized.
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
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.
Supervisory trial period required.