These positions are located with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. In these positions, you will assist with the maintenance, development, and research relating to a variety of woody and herbaceous plants.

Duties

Waters, plants, propagates, fertilizes, prunes, sprays pesticides and other chemicals, controls weeds, and prevents insect and disease problems as required, in addition to performing general horticultural grooming of the garden or display area. Monitors garden and displays for evidence of plant damage or pest infestation, either by insects or plant disease pathogens. Assists in the preparation of exhibits about the collection and answers routine public inquiries about the plant materials, such as their care and use. Maintains greenhouse growing and propagation areas.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Incumbent will be required to work evening, weekend, and holiday work schedules on a rotating basis during the year due to accommodate special mission needs and/or high visitation to the collection or display gardens.
• Incumbent will be required to apply pesticides and must be able to be registered to do so in the District of Columbia. Incumbent must obtain a pesticide applicator’s license within 6 months of assignment to this position.
• May provide technical supervision to volunteers assigned to assist with maintenance of the collections. Technical direction includes assigning work, explaining methods and techniques, answering questions, and reviewing work completed.

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. GS-05: 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-05 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-04 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 assisting in the maintenance of gardens; and using basic gardening equipment. OR Education: Successful completion of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours or the equivalent in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled. Related degrees may include plant science, horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, plant pathology, plant genetics, or agriculture. OR A combination of experience and education as described above. GS-06: 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-06 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-05 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 assisting in the maintenance of gardens; applying fertilizer, pesticides, or chemicals to plants; and using basic gardening equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include plant science, horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, plant pathology, plant genetics, or agriculture. OR A combination of experience and education as described above. GS-07: 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-07 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-06 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 performing common garden maintenance duties such as pruning, planting, or watering plants; applying fertilizer, pesticides, or chemicals to plants; propagating plants; and using basic gardening equipment. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's or equivalent graduate degree, if directly related. Related degrees may include plant science, horticulture, botany, landscape architecture, plant pathology, plant genetics, or agriculture. OR A combination of experience and education as described above. 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Research Service 10300 Baltimore Avenue Beltsville, MD 20705 US
• Name: Juliana Hensley
• Phone: (571) 669-3483
• Email: [email protected]