Hybrid Gardener na Legislative Branch

Gardener

Department: Legislative Branch

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $26.47 - $30.88 Per Hour

Job Summary: This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, Gardening Division. The Capitol Grounds and Arboretum is responsible for preserving and maintaining 286 acres of landscape across Capitol Hill including plantings and infrastructure. Performs gardening tasks in support of the overall efficiency and effectiveness in the maintenance of the Capitol Grounds. Displays integrity, courteous and tactful behavior at all times.

Major Duties:

• This position is designated as an "Emergency Essential Employee." The selectee will be required to work in emergency situations and in inclement weather conditions. Tour of duty - Monday - Friday or Tuesday - Saturday, 6:00 am - 2:30 pm This Gardener acts as caretaker who maintains, protects, and preserves all assets of the Capitol Hill complex and landscape through the efficient use of allocated resources and sustainable practices. Also focuses on cleanliness and safety of the Capitol Complex. This includes but is not limited to picking up trash and debris, reporting any safety concerns and mitigating any safety hazards on the campus. Transplants, Aerates, Prunes and Trims Plants Plants, transplants and cares for flowers, trees and shrubs. Trims, prunes and aerates plants and plant materials. Plants seedlings, bulbs, shrubs and trees in patterns, beds and selected locations to achieve a pleasing appearance of the gardens and grounds. Trims and prunes hedges, shrubbery and other plants. Cares for and maintains decorative plants in various rooms and courtyards of the Capitol Grounds. Waters and fertilizes plants and removes dead growth. Uses gas, electric and hand shears and pruning cutters to prune and trim to appropriate shape and size according to specific instructions. Uses appropriate pruning techniques to obtain desired configuration for the type of shrubbery in the garden plan. Checks foliage in surrounding areas to observe other plants to determine pruning requirements. Selects, Measures, Mixes and Applies Fertilizers Recognizes and treats diseases, cold damage and mineral deficiencies. Chooses appropriate fertilizers. Replaces dead or dying plants. Cultivates Soil and Propagates Plants Calculates 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, humus, topsoil and fertilizer. Places seeds and plants in soil at proper depth, taking care not to damage roots while transplanting. Selects, measures, mixes and applies chemical control agents and fertilizers using foliage feeding, root feeding and soil additive techniques. Roots, grafts, layers and documents soil beds, plants, seedlings, cuttings and seeds using knowledge of chemical composition, depth, moisture, temperature, humidity and ventilation requirements to encourage germination and growth. Assists with special event preparation for the wide variety of events that take place on Capitol Hill to ensure the gardens and grounds are kept to an exceptional service level. Follows safety rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. Complies with OSHA safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and use of any required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). IMPORTANT NOTE: Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license. If the required licenses or registration are not obtained within the time periods specified, the employee will be terminated for failure to meet the conditions of continued employment. Applicants will be required to apply/register for a DC pesticide technician within the first 30 days of their employment if they do not possess an applicator's license. To apply pesticides in the District of Columbia (D.C.), employee must possess a valid D.C. pesticide applicator’s license in categories (3A) exterior ornamental plants, (3B) interior plant-scapes and/or (3C) turf grass, dependent upon the pesticides used.

Qualifications: You must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. You must meet the following SCREEN-OUT: Ability to perform gardening work without more than normal supervision which includes working independently, showing job responsibility and exercising initiative. Qualification at the WG-6 level: Assists with gardening projects and has a working knowledge of gardening practices in order to maintain a diverse group of plants.

How to Apply: You MUST apply online. FORMS RECEIVED BY FAX, EMAIL OR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. If you are a new user to the USAJOBS Site and have never registered for an account; you will first need to create an account profile with your basic contact information and a resume to begin applying. You must be a registered USAJOBS user AND you must be signed-in to your account in order to apply for this position. For help with setting up an account or for general assistance in using USAJOBS, go to USAJOBS Help Page. NEED HELP? If you experience any difficulties with the application site, help is available! If you have problems completing your on-line application, contact the Monster Hiring Management Help Desk at 1-866-656-6831 or by e-mail at [email protected]. The help desk is available Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call and leave a voice mail message at all other times. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS “Saved Documents” feature. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may visit our Employment Center for technical assistance in entering your application. The Employment Center is located at 441 Second & D Streets S.W., Washington, D.C., Room H2-178, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may call (202) 226-7000 for directions.

Application Deadline: 2025-08-07