Gardener

Summary

About the Position: In this role, you will perform seasonal gardening tasks including fertilizing, preparing seedbeds, transplanting, pruning, and applying regulated chemicals. You will maintain the historic Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden and canal grounds, ensuring they are aesthetically pleasing through proper watering, lawn care, propagation, and irrigation operations.

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Duties

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• Plant, transplant and fertilize a large variety of shrubs, flowers, grasses and trees.
• Considers the seasonal schedules or project plans for their area, suitability of the weather, degree of moisture in the soil and stage of plant growth in deciding when and how they will do their work.
• Figures quantities of plants, seeds, fertilizer and other materials needed for specific areas.
• Prepares soil from instructions on the proper mixture of such materials as sand, topsoil and fertilizer.
• Trim and prune trees, shrubs, flowers, etc. to shape and remove excess growth.
• Prune trees to ensure proper balance between roots and upper growth.
• Adjust irrigation, fertilization and mineral content of soil to meet the requirements and characteristics of each type of plant, tree, shrub, or grass.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• Obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License.
• Must complete the Defensive Driving Course within 6 months of appointment.
• Pre-employment physical is required, to include the ability to wear a respirator.
• Position is under the Medical Surveillance Program.
• Obtain and maintain a commercial Public Applicator Pesticide License with the following endorsements: insecticide, herbicide, ornamental within 1 year of employment.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

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

There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of a(n) Gardener~ without more than normal supervision. I have the ability to perform common gardening and grounds maintenance tasks. I can perform horticultural upkeep tasks such as weeding, mowing, pruning, trimming, planting, watering, and applying fertilizer on a regular basis; perform grounds maintenance tasks; operate irrigation systems and operate power tools such as power sweepers, lawn mowers, blowers and sanders. I work under normal supervision of a work leader or journey-level employee who observes tasks in progress and upon completion to make they are properly performed. - Failure to meet this Screen out Element will result in an ineligible rating.

• Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision (Screen-out Element)
• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specification, etc.
• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• Knowledge of Materials
• Technical Practices (theoretical, precise, artistic)
• Use of Measuring Instruments

• PHYSICAL EFFORT: Incumbent exerts moderately heavy physical effort lifting objects from 40 to 80 pounds. The work requires frequent walking, standing, pushing of carts and wheelbarrows, bending and stooping. Occasionally climbs ladders to prune or trim vegetation and frequently lifts objects, such as bags of fertilizer, grasses, seeds, etc. Physical dexterity is needed to handle tools and work around machinery or equipment.
• WORKING CONDITIONS: Work may be done outside or in a greenhouse. While working outside is subject to discomfort from long periods in the hot and in chilly or rainy weather. Duties require exposure to dirt, dust, mud, and chemical sprays. May wear protective clothing, such as gloves, headgear, safety shoes, and boots. There is a chance of minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes and occasionally the possibility of a more serious injury.

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period 1 during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a(n) Installations Career Field position.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government.
• May require working outside in all kinds of weather.
• Requires employee to wear protective equipment.
• Not Eligible for Telework.
• The following incentives MAY BE authorized: Student Loan Repayment, Advanced In-hire, Recruitment Incentive, Relocation Incentive, and/or Advanced Leave Accrual.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.