Supervisory Horticulturist

Summary This position is United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), United States National Arboretum (USNA), Public Horticulture & Engagement Unit located in Washington, D.C. In this position, you will work with the Unit Leader and management team to implement and advance USNA strategic vision and goals as they relate to horticultural maintenance of living collections and grounds management. Responsibilities Manages and participates in all aspects of gardens and grounds maintenance for optimal plant health and aesthetics while maximizing scientific and educational value. Works closely with Facilities Manager during construction projects, ensuring adequate protection for plants, soils, and existing garden infrastructure. Oversees plant health and integrated pest management program. Organizes and participates in systematic, goal-related program reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of horticultural and grounds management efforts and works with the Unit Leader to develop criteria for improvements and priorities. Evaluates program needs and adjusts to enhance fiscal and environmental sustainability of horticultural operations. Contributes to annual reports and development of project plans with the Unit Leader. Ensures horticultural displays and exhibits support United States National Arboretum (USNA) programs and priorities. Serves as subject matter expert, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), or Agency technical representative for contracts and projects at the USNA. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Basic Requirements: Degree: Horticulture; or a related discipline of basic plant science that included at least 30 semester hours in the basic plant sciences, of which at least 16 semester hours were in horticultural subjects such as those dealing with the breeding, care, management, production, and post-harvest handling of horticultural crops. OR 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 1 above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. Evaluation of Education: Courses in botany, plant physiology, plant taxonomy, plant pathology, genetics, agronomy, horticulture, and similar courses may be used to meet the 30-semester-hour requirement in basic plant sciences. AND In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements: Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience must be described for each grade level advertised. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is experience utilizing environmentally sensitive and sustainable techniques to ensure collections, grounds, or natural areas are maintained; evaluating the needs of a horticultural program to enhance fiscal or environmental sustainability of horticultural operations; and implementing horticultural collection development plans or related landscape preservation activities. 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official at the time of job offer. This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements.