Visitor Assistant

The Visitor Assistant serves as a guide providing visitor orientation interpretive assistance and public information services in support of exhibits displays tours and educational programs at the U.S. Botanic Garden.

*This is a Permanent Part-time position. *

Major Duties:

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.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen.
• You must be able to pass a drug test.
• You must meet the definition of specialized experience.
• You must be able to pass a drug test and background check.

• 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)

Qualifications

You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Managements (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 information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule is available for your review on the OPM web site at experienceis 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.

To qualify applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service (or equivalent experience) that includes:

• Providing visitor orientation or guiding services in a public facing museum public garden educational or visitor services environment;
• Presenting factual or interpretive information regarding exhibits facilities programs or services to individuals or groups; and
• Ensuring the safety of customers when necessary.

--OR--

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.

--OR--

Combination Of Education and Experience:Equivalent combinations of successfully completed education and experience may be used to meet the experience requirements.

NOTE:Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5onlyin those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position.