[PCA] JOB: Plant Health Care Specialist (Washington, DC)

[Olivia Kwong]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
We have great job that just opened at the USBG for a Plant Health Care
Specialist doing IPM & Nutrition work with Horticulture staff. Please pass
this on to anyone you know that may have an interest in this.
Many thanks,
Ray
Job Title: Plant Health Care Specialist
Agency: Architect Of The Capitol
Sub Agency: Botanic Gardens
Job Announcement Number: BG-2010-106

  Salary Range:             51,630.00 - 81,204.00 USD /year
  Series & Grade:           GS-0401-09/11
  Promotion Potential:      11
  Open Period:              Wednesday, March 03, 2010 to Thursday, March
                            18, 2010
  Position Information:     Full Time Permanent - No time limit
  Duty Locations:           1 vacancy - Washington, DC
  Who May Be Considered:    Anyone may apply

Job Summary:

Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line
applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for
Architect of the Capitol applicants. Even if you have already developed a
resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete
the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO
APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=HHCUM.

Key Requirements:
   ·                         See Other Information.

Major Duties:
DUTIES:(The duties described reflect the full performance level of this
position)
This position is located in the Horticultural Division of the U.S. Botanic
Garden, a nationally recognized living museum. The incumbent provides
professional plant life services in the areas as Botany, Entomology, Plant
Physiology, Horticulture, Soils Science, Agronomy, Plant Pathology, and/or
Plant Genetics. Work assignments will be performed at the Production
Facility, the Conservatory and its surrounding gardens to promote plant
health care, improve plant quality, develop sustainable systems and methods
utilizing Integrated Pest Management practices, mixing and blending soils
and fertilizer, administering overall plant health care management as well
as greenhouse plant production. Specifically, the incumbent coordinates the
production of standard and non-standard plant specimens, such as temperate,
tropical/sub-tropical, ornamental and medicinal plants. Assists in
developing and maintaining a sustainable plant propagation program for the
U.S. Botanic Garden. Assists a horticulturist to determine and select the
best method of carrying out a replacement and rehabilitation program of
defective plant specimens which includes propagation, procurement,
solicitation of donations and/or intensive special care of existing plants.

Ensures proper growing conditions for the plants, taking into consideration
factors such as temperature, humidity, ventilation, and light levels.
Determines the maintenance and care assignments of watering, trimming,
pruning, feeding, and insect/plant disease control. Analyzes and makes
recommendations on soil mixes and soil blends to improve plant health as
well as recommending appropriate fertilizer applications. Applies
established Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles in order to develop
and maintain a comprehensive pest management program. As primary pest
control coordinator, is responsible for the control and prevention of plant
pests including insects, weeds, plant diseases and fungi.

Independently carries out studies or investigations that involve a full
range of activities pertinent to a plant pathology area including standard
and non-standard surveys, tests, or procedures. Makes interpretations for a
variety of soil uses that require considerable adaptation of guides and
precedents to develop sound analyses and predict soil behavior. Determines
the best methods of planting, spraying, disease control, as well as
cultivating and fertilizing to ensure maximum plant quality at all
locations.

Qualifications:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:(The KSAs below may not apply at all
grades)

Knowledge of the principles, practices, theories and techniques of
entomology.

Ability to design, plan and implement scientific projects regarding plant
health.

Knowledge of plant microbiological science principles, theories, concepts,
methods and techniques.

Knowledge of plant pathology principles, concepts, and practices.

Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, methods and techniques of
horticulture.

Ability to manipulate a greenhouse environment to achieve optimal plant
health.

Knowledge of plants, taxonomy and cultural requirements.

Ability to perform theoretical, precise and/or artistic work of the
gardening trade sufficient to maintain, cultivate and coordinate a diverse
assortment of temperate plants, tropical and sub-tropical plants and
display plants.

MINIMUM FEDERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Grade 09: BASIC REQUIREMENTS
A. Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an
accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree
with at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in biological sciences,
agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines
appropriate to the position being filled.

OR
B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to the
requirements in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional
education.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements,
applicants must have had either specialized experience and/or directly
related education in the amounts shown below. Education and experience may
be combined to meet the total experience requirements.

1. The applicant must have completed two (2) years of progressively higher
level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate
degree when it provided the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and
abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

2. One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7
level in collecting data and/or participating in experiments, studies, or
investigations in fields of science concerned with living organisms, their
distribution, characteristics, life processes, and adaptations and
relations to the environment.

Grade 11: BASIC REQUIREMENTS

A. Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an
accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree
with at least 24 semester/36 quarter hours in biological sciences,
agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines
appropriate to the position being filled.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to the
requirements in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional
education.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-RESEARCH POSITIONS

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements,
applicants must have had either specialized experience and/or directly
related education in the amounts shown below. Education and experience may
be combined to meet the total experience requirements.

1. The applicant must have completed three (3) years of progressively
higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or
equivalent doctoral degree when it provided the applicant with the
knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

2. The applicant must have one (1) year of specialized experience
equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in collecting data and/or
participating in experiments, studies, or investigations in fields of
science concerned with living organisms, their distribution,
characteristics, life processes, and adaptations and relations to the
environment.

See Other Information for further requirements.

How You Will Be Evaluated:
You will be rated based on your qualifications for this position as
evidenced by the education, experience and training you report relative to
this position which shows that you possess the knowledges, skills and
abilities required. Paid or unpaid experience will be considered.

Benefits:
See Other Information.

Other Information:


LOCATION: U.S. Botanic Garden, Horticulture Division


THIS POSITION IS BEING FILLED THROUGH AN ON-LINE APPLICATION SYSTEM.

To apply, go to www.aoc.gov or
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.

************************************************************************************************************************************************

Work is required on weekends, holidays, late evenings and early morning
hours.

This position is subject to a medical monitoring program.

This position is considered “essential duty” during emergency
situations.

************************************************************************************************************************************************

IMPORTANT NOTE: A valid District of Columbia (D.C.) pesticide applicator's
license in categories 3A, 3B, 3C, 5, 7 and 11 is required to apply
pesticides in D. C. The required license must be obtained with 90 days of
appointment.

Failure to obtain the required license within the time period specified
will result in termination of employment for failure to meet the
qualifications of the position.

************************************************************************************************************************************************

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.

Selectee(s) is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary
period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been
completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal
agency.

The position requires that the incumbent must possess and maintain a valid
state driver's license.

How To Apply:
Applications for this position are being processed through an on-line
applicant assessment system that has been specifically configured for
Architect of the Capitol applicants. Even if you have already developed a
resume in USAJOBS, you will need to access this on-line system to complete
the application process. To obtain information about this position and TO
APPLY, please click on http://www.avuecentral.com/vacancy.html?ref=HHCUM.

Required Documents:
See Other Information.

Contact Information:

  Armetia Mobley                Agency Information:
  Phone: (202) 226-8136         Architect of the Capitol
  Email: amobley at aoc.gov        441 2nd Street, SW
                                Rm. H2-178
                                Washington, Dist of Columbia 20515
                                US

Link to job is:
http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=86606452&JobTitle=Plant+Specialist&q=architect+of+the+capitol&where=architect+of+the+capitol&brd=3876&vw=b&FedEmp=N&FedPub=Y&x=106&y=7&pg=1&rad=0&rad_units=miles&re=0&AVSDM=2010-03-03+00%3a03%3a00#duties