This position is located at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), US Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, Gardening Division. The Urban Forester works closely with the Tree Care Section; planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing urban forestry programs for the AOC. It is considered desirable that the selectee be an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist (Board Certified Master Arborist is preferred).
You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications. In addition to meeting the basic education requirement, you must have specialized experience, directly related education OR a combination of experience and education as described below. Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, an applicant's one full year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. To qualify at the GS-13 level, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you have one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-12 level in the federal service. Examples of qualifying experience include the following types of tasks performed on a regular and recurring basis: Managing a forestry program to include performing tree care, monitoring tree health and applying state-of-the-art methods and techniques in the care of complex and historic tree species; Managing a Geographic Information system (GIS); and Performing Contracting Officers Representative (COR) duties. To qualify at the GS-12 level, your resume must clearly demonstrate that you have one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience comparable in difficulty and responsibility to at least the GS-11 level in the federal service. Examples of qualifying experience include the following types of tasks performed on a regular and recurring basis:
Must possess a valid D.C. pesticide applicator’s license in categories 3A, 3B and 3C. Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license. Arboretum Management - (Duties quoted below are at the GS-13 level.) Assists in managing the arboretum program for the U.S. Capitol arboretum, including plant records, tree canopy assessment and planning, environmental benefits and impacts, overseeing arboriculture contracts, public outreach and education, and protection of trees during construction and special event activities. Assists with developing the arboretum’s participation in collection accreditation programs. Tree Care and Risk Management: Works with the Arborist Supervisor(s) to schedule, perform and record tree care programs including, but not limited to, tree inventories, tree risk assessments, cable and lightning protection inspections, cyclical routine and preventive tree maintenance. Collaborates with the Arborist Supervisor(s), Gardens and Grounds Manager and Deputy Director to make recommendations for removals, hazard mitigations and plantings, including site, species and production method selection, based on Cultural Landscape Reports and tree and shrub collection accreditation goals. Travels to external vendors’ nurseries and production sites to select healthy trees for the planting program at the arboretum. Collaborates with the CGA Plant Health Specialist and Arborists to monitor tree health, and recommend cultural, chemical and biological controls as part of an IPM program. Works with the Turf Specialist and Tree and Gardening Sections to promote grounds management practices conducive to maintaining and improving soil health, including reducing negative impacts derived from a heavily used urban environment. Works with agency representatives to provide protective measures to landscape during planning processes for events and construction projects. Curation, Records and Database Management: Manages and maintains all Geographic Information Systems (GIS) records for woody plant accessions. Creates plant record information in the living collection management system. Assists the Gardens and Grounds Manager and the Deputy Director in executing plans to achieve and maintain woody plant collection accreditations, including keeping all data for such programs and communicating with all accrediting organizations. Coordinates day-to-day departmental administrative tasks as they relate to assigned plant records. Research, Reporting and Outreach: Prepares and/or facilitates the creation of comprehensive reports on both the technical and administrative aspects of the program for higher management levels. Conducts studies related to the preservation of the historic cultural landscape and urban canopy of the arboretum. Develops public outreach and education programs in accordance with the arboretum accreditation. Determines and implements a succession plan for memorial, historic and other noteworthy trees of the U.S. Capitol arboretum, as determined by AOC preservation Policy, CGA Living Collections Policy, and Cultural Landscape Reports. Propagates select species to ensure the progeny of the historic trees of the U.S. Capitol arboretum survive for future generations. Procurement Manages financial obligations to the arboretum program through development of budget justifications, monitoring spending, and tracking accountable property. Develops Scopes of Work (SOW), and other contract procurement documents and serves as Contracting Officers Representative (COR) for various arboriculture and arboretum management contracts. Manages contract payment and invoices in IPP. Facilitates AOC security requirements for contractors related to facility access, badging, and screening. Clearly communicates tree management and arboretum planning needs at all levels of CGA, the AOC, and with congressional stakeholders. This includes management of fiscal obligations and formulation of budgets towards tree management, and coordination of work with the CGA staff, contractors, appropriate AOC offices, the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), and other congressional stakeholders. Coordinates with the Arborist Supervisor the work and the use of materials and staff on a quarterly or longer basis; reviews supporting documents and blueprints for alterations, and new construction projects that affect trees and or tree root zones; and prepares estimates for upcoming projects and/or additional material and staffing needs. Must follow all relevant safety rules, regulations and standard operating procedures. The incumbent must utilize knowledge of and must comply with all OSHA safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner. Provides or receives training, either on-the-job or through classroom training, to ensure that all safety practices and equipment are fully utilized. Uses required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Performs other related duties as assigned.