Supervisory Gardener

VACANCY No:                         09-06
OPEN TO:                         All Interested Candidates within and outside the Mission
POSITION:                             Supervisory Gardener
OPENING DATE:                August 9, 2006
CLOSING DATE:                August 30, 2006
WORK HOURS:                  Full-time; 40 hours/week
GRADE:                           *Not-Ordinarily Resident:  FP-BB (To be confirmed by
                                                 Washington)
                                      *Ordinarily Resident: FSN-1310-3
ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
SEE DEFINITION FOR “NOT-ORDINARILY RESIDENT” BELOW.

The United States Embassy in Freetown is seeking individual for the position of Gardener Supervisor.  The position is located in the Maintenance Section and reports to the Senior Maintenance Foreman.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
Directs the gardening workforce of three gardeners.  Helps in maintain lawns and gardens at US Government-leased property.  This involves planting, watering, fertilizing and cultivating lawn and garden areas of the compound.  Prepares soil, transplants shrubs, trees, plants and flowers.  Maintains control of all assigned tools of the gardener force, and is accountable for these.  May be required to pot certain flowers for indoor and outdoor displays and seeks expert guidance as required.                                                                    
Maintains work schedules and leave plans.  Develops gardening and procurement plans in consideration of local climate and flora, consulting with supervisor and occupants of residences.   Performs pest control in outdoor areas                                            
         
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

NOTE:  All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.
1.   Education:   Completion of High School required.
2.    Experience:   Two years of gardening experience.  Two years of experience directing
      the work of gardeners.
3.   Language Ability:  Level II (limited knowledge) of written and spoken English
      required.
4.   Other Criteria:  Thorough knowledge of how to plant and take care of plants and
flowers typically grown in tropical areas is required.
5.   Skills:  Must be able to judge the types of plants, area to plant, and quantity of
fertilizer to be used.  Ability to use all gardening and related tools.
6.   Interpersonal Skill:  Ability to plan, direct, and supervise the gardening team to
obtain good result.

SELECTION PROCESS
When equally qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) and U.S. Veterans will be given preference.  Therefore, it is essential that the candidate address the required qualifications above in the application.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA
1.   Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency 
status in determining successful candidacy. 
2.  Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3.   Currently employed US Citizen EFMs who hold a FMA appointment are ineligible
      to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their 
      employment.
4.    Currently employed NORs hired under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA) are 
 ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their 
 employment, unless currently hired into a position with a When Actually
 Employed (WAE) work schedule.

TO APPLY
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:
1.    Application for U.S. Federal Employment (SF-171 or OF-612); available on the internet at HTTP://freetown.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html   or
2.    A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an
 OF-612; plus
3.    Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form
  DD-214 with their application.
4.    Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees
 earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
Facilities Maintenance Manager
 (Application for Supervisory Gardener)
United States Embassy
Walpole Street, Freetown
by handing a sealed envelope to a guard at the reception post at the American Embassy in Freetown.

NOTE: Only short listed applicants will be contacted. 

DEFINITIONS
1.      AEFM:  A type of EFM that is eligible for direct hire employment on either a Family Member Appointment (FMA) or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) provided s/he meets all of the following criteria:

      --US citizen;
      --Spouse or dependent who is at least age 18;
      --Listed on the travel orders of a Foreign or Civil Service or uniformed service
      member permanently assigned to or stationed at a US Foreign Service post or
      establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority;
      --Is resident at the sponsoring employee’s or uniform service member’s post of
      assignment abroad, approved safehaven abroad, or alternate safehaven abroad; and
      --Does not receive a USG annuity or pension based on a career in the US Civil,
      Foreign, or uniform services.
2.      EFM: Family Members at least age 18 listed on the travel orders of a Foreign of Civil Service or uniformed service member permanently assigned to or stationed to a US Foreign Service post or establishment abroad with a USG agency that is under COM authority who do not meet the definition of AEFM above.
3.      Member of Household:  A MOH is a person who: 1) Has accompanied, but is not/not on the travel orders of a U.S. citizen Foreign or Civil Service employee or uniform service member permanently assigned to or stationed at a U.S. Foreign service post or establishment abroad; 2) Has been declared by the sponsoring employee to the Chief of Mission as part of his/her household; and 3) Resides at post with the sponsoring employee.
4.      Ordinarily Resident (OR):  A citizen of the host country or a citizen of another country who has shifted the main residency focus to the host country and has the required work and/or residency permits for employment in country.
5.      Not-Ordinarily Resident (NOR):  Typically NORs are US Citizen EFMs and EFMs of FS, GS, and uniformed service members who are eligible for employment under an American USG pay plan, on the travel orders and under Chief of Mission authority, or other personnel having diplomatic privileges and immunities.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION:  AUGUST 29, 2006

The US Mission in Freetown provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in
Employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age,
disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation.  The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs.

The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation.  Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.