Visitor Assistant (Part-Time)

Full Job Description

This position is at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG). The USBG is a public garden in the legislative branch and was established by Congress in 1820.

The Garden inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally.

We provide educational experiences to 1 million visitors annually, present horticultural displays and exhibits, strive to break down barriers to inclusion, and advance the exchange of ideas and information.

Learn more: U.S. Botanic Garden.

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position.

You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement.

Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions.

It is available for your review on the OPM web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.

Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

To qualify, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service (or equivalent experience) that includes: Providing visitor orientation or guiding services in a public facing museum, public garden, educational or visitor services environment; Presenting factual or interpretive information regarding exhibits, facilities, programs, or services to individuals or groups; and Ensuring the safety of customers, when necessary.

--OR-- Substitution Of Education for Experience: The experience requirements for the GS-6 level may be met by completion of one (1) year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours) in courses such as hospitality, museum studies, education, or natural science.

--OR-- Combination Of Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.

NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. Major Duties:

The Visitor Assistant serves as a guide providing visitor orientation, interpretive assistance, and public information services in support of exhibits, displays, tours, and educational programs at the U.S.

Botanic Garden. *This is a Permanent Part-time position.

* Major Duties: Provides visitor assistance services in support of exhibit and display operations in the Gated Outdoor Garden and Conservatory at the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Greets visitors to explain the display and any safety measures required. Assists and provides order with managing extremely large groups with unfamiliar surroundings where there may be safety concerns.

Collaborates with co-workers on daily and routine tasks and adjusts, as necessary, to ensure visitor flow is maintained and the display operates as scheduled.

Works with visitors in a variety of ways, in support of the Garden (e.g., greeting visitors, providing information on times and content, collecting data, enforcing Garden policies, providing accessibility services).

Takes guidance from the U.S.

Capitol Police with safety and security issues such as addressing prohibited items, directing crowds and assisting visitors in the event of an emergency in the Garden and maintaining personal safety.

Assists visitors with possible special requirements or attention (e.g.

Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, international visitors, persons with disabilities, distinguished visitors and photographers).

In support of visitor flow, lifts stanchions, makes announcements and maneuvers unoccupied wheelchairs. Lifts boxes of brochures and restocks brochure racks throughout the Garden.

The incumbent is responsible for utilizing a thorough knowledge of and compliance with applicable AOC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and to initiate or take corrective action on unsafe conditions in managed areas.