Horticultural Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Koniag Operations Services, LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a Landscape Manager with a Secret security clearance to support KOS and our government customer in Arlington, VA. This position is for a Future New Business Opportunity. We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more. Koniag Operations Services,LLC a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Landscape Manager to support federal grounds and living botanical collection operations at a federal installation in Arlington, VA. The ideal candidate is a seasoned horticultural and landscape management professional with demonstrated expertise in the care of diverse, internationally sourced botanical collections, federal contract administration, and multi-disciplinary team leadership. The Landscape Manager will serve as the primary authority and operational director for the physical grounds, outdoor displays, and living botanical collections of the federal installation. This position is responsible for managing both routine grounds operations and advanced horticultural care for a diverse, international collection of specialized flora originating from global climate zones including tropical, arid, Mediterranean, alpine, and temperate microclimates. The Landscape Director will plan, direct, and execute comprehensive landscape management strategies, oversee federal and contract personnel, and ensure the health, preservation, and aesthetic excellence of high-profile, public-facing federal grounds. Principal responsibilities will include but are not limited to: Specialized Botanical & Living Collection Management: * Oversee the cultivation, propagation, micro-environment management, and health of non-native, endangered, and exotic plant species requiring specialized soil chemistry, temperature controls, pruning regimes, and humidity profiles. * Maintain accurate database records for plant accessions, botanical taxonomy, global origins, and conservation status in coordination with curators and living collection managers. * Develop and administer Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs utilizing biological, mechanical, and targeted chemical pest and disease control methods, ensuring full compliance with federal environmental regulations while remaining sensitive to rare and fragile flora. * Monitor and evaluate the ongoing health and vitality of botanical specimens, implementing corrective measures needed to address disease, environmental stress, or nutrient deficiencies. Landscape Operations & Master Planning: * Plan, design, and execute seasonal display transitions, structural landscape enhancements, and multi-year conservation plans aligned with the historical and architectural standards of the installation. * Manage complex automated irrigation systems including drip, misting, and weather-sensored systems, tailored to the varying soil types and root zone conditions of imported species. * Monitor and manage soil fertility, drainage, and biological activity to ensure optimal growing conditions across diverse landscape ecosystems. * Direct arboricultural health inspections, hazard tree mitigation, and emergency response activities for weather-related landscape damage. * Develop and implement multi-year master landscape plans that align with installation mission requirements, preservation mandates, and public presentation standards. Operational & Contract Leadership: * Supervise, direct, and mentor federal horticultural staff, groundskeepers, and seasonal personnel, providing technical training on specialized horticultural techniques including specialized propagation, delicate pruning, and exotic plant acclimation. * Serve as Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or technical lead for external grounds maintenance, tree care, irrigation, and specialized landscape architecture service contracts. * Write Statements of Work (SOWs), evaluate vendor proposals, and conduct inspections of contractor performance on large-scale grounds maintenance and landscape projects. * Formulate and manage annual operating budgets for equipment procurement, plant acquisitions, soil amendments, and specialized environmental control infrastructure. * Collaborate with facility managers, engineers, architects, and government representatives to support installation improvement and renovation projects involving landscape and grounds. * Ensure all landscape operations comply with applicable federal environmental laws, invasive species regulations, and safety codes governing chemical application and machinery operation. * Maintain comprehensive records of all grounds maintenance activities, work orders, inspection reports, and botanical collection data. Education and Experience:
Required: * Bachelor's degree with major study in horticulture, landscape architecture, plant pathology, botany, agronomy, or a closely related biological or agricultural science from an accredited college or university. * A combination of relevant education and experience in biological or agricultural science, plus appropriate specialized experience or technical training demonstrating equivalent knowledge, may be considered in lieu of a degree. * Minimum of one (5) years of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher, including experience managing living botanical collections containing exotic, sensitive, or taxonomically diverse plant species originating from international regions. * Demonstrated experience designing and implementing micro-climate care regimes, specialized soil and fertilization plans, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) protocols for rare flora. * Demonstrated experience managing irrigation, drainage, and environmental controls for diverse landscape ecosystems. * Demonstrated experience supervising teams or administering federal or commercial landscape maintenance contracts. Required Skills and Competencies: * Must possess and maintain an active Secret security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Secret clearance as mandated by the installation. * Valid state driver's license. * Valid Commercial Pesticide Applicator License, or ability to obtain certification within 6 months of hire. * Deep technical knowledge of global plant taxonomy, plant physiology, and microclimate manipulation is required to sustain international specimens outside their native habitats. * Proven ability to write Statements of Work (SOWs), evaluate vendor proposals, and inspect contractor performance on large-scale grounds maintenance contracts. * Strong capability to direct, train, and evaluate a multi-disciplinary team of horticulturists, grounds staff, and contractors. * Thorough knowledge of federal environmental laws, invasive species regulations, and safety codes regarding chemical application and machinery operation. * Proficiency in the management of complex automated irrigation systems including drip, misting, and weather-sensored technologies. * Experience maintaining botanical database records for plant accessions, taxonomic classifications, and conservation status documentation. * Ability to develop and implement multi-year landscape master plans aligned with federal installation standards and preservation requirements. * Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce technical reports, SOWs, budget justifications, and operational documentation. * Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a cross-functional facilities and grounds management team. * Physical ability to perform the duties of the position, including working outdoors in varying weather conditions, lifting, and operating landscape equipment and machinery. * Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment in full compliance with applicable OSHA standards and federal safety regulations. Desired Skills and Competencies: * ISA Certified Arborist certification. * Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) or Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) designation. * Experience working within a federal government facility, military installation, or nationally recognized botanical institution. * Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work order tracking and grounds maintenance documentation. * Experience with historic landscape preservation standards and guidelines as established by the Secretary of the Interior or equivalent federal preservation authority. * Knowledge of sustainable landscape practices, water conservation strategies, and green infrastructure principles. * Experience coordinating with contracting officers, facility managers, and government representatives in a performance-based contract environment. * Familiarity with federal acquisition regulations (FAR) as they apply to contract administration and COR responsibilities. * Advanced knowledge of arboricultural best practices, including hazard tree assessment methodologies and urban forest management. Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment. The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply for a position on our websit