What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nutrient Management Outreach Specialist (South position at University of Wisconsin–Madison?
Job Summary:
The Agriculture Institute's Crops and Soils Program works hand-in-hand with row crop, forage, fruit and vegetable producers to implement best practices for every aspect of the growing phase. The Crops and Soils program provides timely resources and information to help crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
The University of Wisconsin's Nutrient and Pest Management (NPM) Program is a part of the Crops and Soils Program and works with farmers, researchers, agricultural professionals, and citizens to provide research-based agricultural nutrient and pest management education on crop production practices that protect water quality while promoting farm profitability and resilient landscapes. The program links farmers and researchers to exchange knowledge on the profitability, practicality, and environmental impact of crop production practices and cropping systems.
The Nutrient Management Outreach Specialists coordinate and deliver educational programs that promote the adoption of agricultural best management practices for protecting water quality while maintaining or improving farm profitability. Specific responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with internal and external partners and clientele to identify education opportunities and needs related to nutrient management such as collaborating the program team and additional Extension personal on outreach opportunities that lead to nutrient management plan creation and/or adoption.
- Developing and delivering timely and relevant research-based resources and training to farmers, service providers, and other stakeholders through in-person and virtual events, written and video materials, and other innovative approaches.
- Developing and maintaining expertise related to soil fertility.
- Implementing the Nutrient Management Farmer Education curriculum to audiences throughout the assigned region in Wisconsin and educate others on the SnapPlus nutrient management planning software program.
Extension is hiring two positions. One will be based in Northwest Wisconsin, and another will be based in South-central Wisconsin. The office for this position is to be located within the designated region, including in the UW-Madison Division of Extension offices.
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
- 5% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
- 20% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
- 20% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
- 20% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
- 10% Communicate plans, activities and achievements to Program Managers, 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.
Education:
Required
Bachelor's Degree in soil science, Agronomy, Horticulture, or other closely related field.
Preferred
Master's Degree in a related field
Qualifications:
- 2 years of experience related to soil fertility management and/or agronomy.
- Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing, and applying evidence-based information and research findings.
- Demonstrated ability of working both independently and in team.
- Demonstrated ability to learn, use, and educate others on the SnapPlus nutrient management planning software program.
- Knowledge or understanding of, or the ability to learn, the University of Wisconsin nutrient management guidelines for field crops.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, through a variety of technologies.
- The ability to travel regionally, and occasionally work evenings and weekends. Weekly travel to Madison may be required during the first several months of employment.
Preferred:
- 3 or more years of experience related to soil fertility management and/or agronomy.
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication, time management and organizational skills.
- Ability to organize and work productively with indirect supervision in a highly visible public sector environment.
- Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships.
- Ability to be approved to drive State of Wisconsin vehicles is highly desired. Candidate may need to make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet the position responsibilities and essential job functions.
License/Certification:
Required
Candidate will be required to have or receive their Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) training and maintain status each year.
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 $65,000 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/). Please note that salary and some benefits such as paid time off will be prorated by appointment percentage.
Additional Information:
Position Location: This position will be regionally based in South-Central Wisconsin. The position location is flexible within the region and will be determined based on programmatic needs, successful candidate's preferences, and availability of suitable space.
Applicants are required to have: A valid driver's license and a reliable source of independent transportation for periodic in-state work travel, and/or complies with requirements for UW-Madison vehicle use authorization. Staff are expected to make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions.
Potential Evening/Weekend Work: This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.
Remote Work Policy: 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.
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.
How to Apply:
- 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:
Daniel Smith
dhsmith@wisc.edu
608-219-5170
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Outreach Specialist(OE009)
Department(s):
A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/AGR/CROPS/NPM
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
310215-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.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.
Salary : $65,000
