Gardener

National Gallery of Art • Washington, DC

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Gardener works in the National Gallery of Art’s Division of Horticultural Services, which maintains exterior landscapes, interior gardens, greenhouses, cold frames, and specialty gardens, and provides floral and foliage services for special events. The division also handles exterior step and sidewalk cleaning, trash removal, snow removal, interior maintenance, landscape equipment operation, and special-event setup.

The position carries out routine and specialized horticultural work in an assigned area, including care and installation of annual bedding plants, tropical foliage plants, woody plants, and herbaceous perennials. It also involves turf maintenance, irrigation monitoring, and snow and ice removal. The job requires a valid driver’s license, wearing a uniform, obtaining an applicable pesticide applicator’s license within 90 days of employment, using hazardous chemicals and protective equipment, and being available for recurring weekend and holiday hours and emergency recall.

Requirements

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Must pass a pre-employment background investigation and be suitable for Federal employment.
• Must have a valid driver's license and submit a Motor Vehicle Operator's License and Driving Record.
• Must wear a uniform and comply with National Park Service uniform standards.
• Must obtain a valid pesticide applicator's license within 90 days of employment in at least one of these categories: interior plant-scapes, turfgrass, or exterior ornamental plants.
• Must be able to wear a respirator and other protective clothing, participate in a health surveillance program, and work daily with hazardous chemicals.
• Must be available for recall to the work site during weather and other emergencies, and for recurring weekend and holiday hours.
• Must be able to walk, stand, push, bend, stoop, kneel, pull, and climb throughout the day.
• For WG-06: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility to WG-05 in Federal service or the private sector, working in gardens or greenhouses in a museum or cultural institution setting.
• For WG-08: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent in responsibility to WG-06 in Federal service or the private sector, performing a full range of gardening duties independently, including plant identification, diagnosing plant stress or pest issues, interpreting planting plans, and safely operating horticultural equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform the work without more than normal supervision; use and maintain tools and equipment; knowledge of materials; use measuring instruments; interpret instructions and specifications other than blueprints; and demonstrate dexterity and safety.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Selectees may be required to successfully complete a probationary period and must participate in the Direct Deposit Electronic Funds Transfer Program.

Responsibilities

• Perform pruning, watering, weeding, planting, fertilizing, cleaning, mulching, pest control, and equipment operation in an assigned area according to industry standards.
• Install and maintain annual bedding plants, tropical foliage plants, woody plants, and herbaceous perennials, including fertilization and chemical weed and pest control.
• Monitor and maintain turf, including mowing, fertilizing, weeding, insect and disease control, aerating, overseeding, sodding, and edging.
• Monitor and maintain irrigation system components and report deficiencies to the lead horticulturist.
• Remove snow and ice using appropriate equipment and spread ice-melting material in hardscape areas to maintain safe access to museums, gardens, support facilities, and parking lots.

Benefits

• A uniform allowance will be provided.
• Federal employee benefits are available, including health insurance, leave, life insurance, retirement benefits, and flexible spending accounts; eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed