Agriculture Water Quality Outreach Specialist

University of Wisconsin Madison
$60,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
paid time off, remote work
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Nov 15, 2024
Job Summary: We're supporting today's agriculture with the guidance and expertise needed to address the biggest issues facing the industry. Here's your chance to make a difference by providing the link to research that producers and agribusiness professionals rely on. We're looking for an outreach specialist who knows the science, wants to dig into the pressing problems, and work directly with industry stakeholders to create and develop the resources that will allow farmers to adopt and adapt management practices and systems that support water quality. Come be a part of modern Extension outreach and work on projects responding to topics identified as some of the highest industry needs. The Agriculture Water Quality Outreach Specialist position will be located in or near Madison and will primarily serve Southern Wisconsin. This role is housed in the Agriculture Institute within UW-Madison's Division of Extension (https://extension.wisc.edu/). The Extension Institute of Agriculture works hand in hand with row crop, forage, fresh produce growers, and dairy management programs across the state of Wisconsin. We advise and provide support to people, communities, and businesses. The Agriculture Institute's Agriculture Water Quality Program focuses on the links between agricultural production practices and water quality impacts and builds upon the on-farm water quality monitoring being conducted by Discovery Farms. The program works with agricultural producers and others across the state to increase understanding of the relative impacts of agriculture management practices on watershed and water quality protection and groundwater/surface water interactions with the goal of improving water quality outcomes from agricultural production. Extension has been working with farmers for more than 100 years, and we've diversified our staffing portfolio to meet the evolving needs of our clientele. The Agriculture Water Quality Outreach Specialist will work to design, deliver, and evaluate research-based educational programming and services aligned with the position's programmatic focus. Specific roles of the position will include: -Develop and deliver outreach programming to farmers, crop advisors and conservation professionals based on applied water quality research and modeling -Assess needs for and support on-farm applied research that documents water quality impacts of management practices and informs subsequent outreach and education -Collaborate with Extension colleagues, industry, and other stakeholders to identify needs and develop and maintain robust, high-quality outreach education programs that provide solutions to improve the water quality impact of farms and the Wisconsin agricultural industry. -Develop and maintain expertise related to the relationship between agricultural practices and water quality -Build trust-based relationships with stakeholders -Work with the Program Manager to facilitate programmatic efforts, maintain strategic direction, build partnerships, and seek a diverse funding portfolio to support the work The ideal candidate will have experience with developing and evaluating educational programming and a track record of building positive relationships. The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non-biased, and inclusive organization. (https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/) As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion. Responsibilities: Delivers and assists with planning outreach program activities, strengthens partnerships, ensures adherence to policy, and assists with program administration to promote stable and productive relationships between the university and local community. Strives to expand and ensure access to programs, facilities, and educational services to diverse audiences. May assist with tracking and managing the outreach program budget. 25% Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program 10% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program 20% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members 10% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials 20% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement 5% May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending 10% Communicate plans, activities and achievements to Program Manager, partners and relevant stakeholders Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion Education: Required Bachelor's Degree In a field related to this position's focus Preferred Master's Degree In a field related to this position's focus Qualifications: Required: -Three or more years relevant professional experience -Demonstrated experience with listed job responsibilities -Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing and applying evidence-based information and research findings -Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively -Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity Preferred: -Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting -Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships -Experience in group facilitation to support needs identification, decision making and stakeholder engagement with complex issues -Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific materials in written and verbal forms for a variety of lay and other audiences -Demonstrated ability to write grants and establish partnerships that pool or leverage public and private funds in support of the Institutional mission Work Type: Full Time: 100% This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location. Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable Salary: Minimum $60,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/). Additional Information: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has a remote work policy that offers the potential for remote or hybrid work. More about that policy within the Division of Extension can be found here: https://kb.wisc.edu/extension/113536. How to Apply: We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process, click the "apply now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents: -Resume -Letter of Qualifications (cover letter) Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Your cover letter should communicate your interest in the position and how your skillset aligns with the role. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews. For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting, please click https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/. Contact: Amber Radatz amber.radatz@wisc.edu 608-317-0001 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Official Title: Outreach Specialist(OE009) Department(s): A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/AGR/AG WATER QUALITY Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable Job Number: 308300-AS The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/ Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.