Horticulturist

Full Job Description

The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity.

Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world.

Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today.

Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.

Applicants can substitute education for specialized experience as follows: Two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree related to the position.

Submission of transcripts is required if substituting education.

Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-07 level in the Federal service or private sector, experience maintaining a garden for a museum or cultural institution and experience operating and maintaining various irrigation systems for multiple large gardens.

OPM Qualifications Standard: General Schedule Qualification Standards Individual Occupational Requirements: Horticulture Series 0437 Associated Group standard: Professional Work in the Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Group, 0400 Merit promotion applicants must meet the time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.

One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level.

You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Note: Applicants who are referred to the hiring office for selection consideration may be required to submit writing and/or work samples as part of the interview/selection process.

If the hiring office decides to request a writing and/or work sample as part of its selection process, the vacancy contact will reach out to you by email to: (1) inform you of this requirement; and (2) provide further instructions.

Major Duties:

This position is located organizationally in the Division of Horticulture (AFM-HS), Facilities Management (AFM), National Gallery of Art.

In this position, you will: Prepare and disperse horticultural chemicals as required, including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides.

Maintain proper records associated with all applications of horticultural chemicals in areas of responsibility.

Maintain DC pesticide license and relevant categories related to ornamentals and turfgrass. Prepare and implement maintenance and planting schedules.

Schedule includes pruning, mowing, edging, fertilizing, pesticide and herbicide application, water requirements and proper timing for each function.

They also formulate renovation schedules for different landscape areas as needed.

Possess knowledge and ability to select and use proper equipment to complete project tasks; has ability to perform basic maintenance and repair of equipment if necessary.

The incumbent creates schedules for special projects in association with sculpture installation or building renovation.

Serve as assistant snow removal coordinator sufficient to devise and implement snow removal plan.

Ability to monitor local weather to schedule staff when needed; determine the have proper equipment and supplies ready for each storm, i.e.: salt, shovel, fuel, equipment, and manpower; monitor the progress of staff during the storms; and ensure that the site is accessible during and after storms.

Disperse horticultural information in response to inquiries from the public, horticultural staff, contractors, and other National Gallery of Art staff.

Provides direction to staff and volunteers on daily basis to ensure tasks are completed correctly.