Visitor Assistant

Summary

The USBG is a leading public garden and museum that inspires people to appreciate, study, and conserve plants to enrich society locally and globally. Comprised of four divisions, the USBG provides educational experiences to 1 million visitors annually, presents horticultural displays and exhibits, strives to break down barriers to inclusion, and advances the exchange of ideas and information through national and global partnerships and initiatives. Learn more: U.S. Botanic Garden.

This job is open to

• The public
  
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. citizens.

Duties

The position is in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Office of the Chief of Operations, Executive Director US Botanic Garden, Learning and Engagement Division. The incumbent performs services to assist visitors to orient themselves, find facilities and participate in tours and other public programs for the US Botanic Garden (USBG).

Provides visitor assistance services in support of exhibit and display operations in the Gated Outdoor Garden and Conservatory at the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Greets visitors to explain the display and any safety measures required. Assists and provides order with managing extremely large groups with unfamiliar surroundings where there may be safety concerns.

Collaborates with co-workers on daily and routine tasks and adjusts, as necessary, to ensure visitor flow is maintained and the display operates as scheduled.

Works with visitors in a variety of ways, in support of the Garden (e.g., greeting visitors, providing information on times and content, collecting data, enforcing Garden policies, providing accessibility services).

Takes guidance from the U.S. Capitol Police with safety and security issues such as addressing prohibited items, directing crowds and assisting visitors in the event of an emergency in the Garden and maintaining personal safety.

Assists visitors with possible special requirements or attention (e.g. Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, international visitors, persons with disabilities, distinguished visitors and photographers).

In support of visitor flow, lifts stanchions, makes announcements and maneuvers unoccupied wheelchairs. Lifts boxes of brochures and restocks brochure racks throughout the Garden.

The incumbent is responsible for utilizing a thorough knowledge of and compliance with applicable AOC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety rules and regulations to ensure that work progresses in a safe manner and to initiate or take corrective action on unsafe conditions in managed areas.

Requirements Conditions of Employment

• A citizen of the United States.
• A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B).
• A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible.
• A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or
• You must be able to pass a drug test and background check.
• Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.

QualificationsSpecialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.

Candidates for the GS-06 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service.Specialized experience for this position is defined as having experience:

• Providing assistance to customers in a hospitality, museum or public garden environment.
• Answering basic questions that arise from customers' inquiries.
• Ensuring the safety of customers, when necessary.

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirements for the GS-6 level may be met by completion of one (1) year of graduate level education (18 semester/27 quarter hours) in courses such as hospitality, museum studies, education, or natural science.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.

Additional informationWelcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit /opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/ .

If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with theSelective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.

DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC's suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test.

The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol.

The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit /e-verify.gov/

The Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportun.