Farm Management Outreach Specialist

Farm Management Outreach Specialist

The UW-Madison Division of Extension is hiring a new Farm Management Outreach Specialist position, designed to incorporate research findings into outreach to agricultural producers and agribusiness professionals across the state, to address the most pressing farm management issues facing Wisconsin farmers.

This position is a part of the Agriculture Institute's Farm Management Program and will work with Extension colleagues to increase the reach and impact of farm management educational outreach programs.

Multiple economic and social factors impact Wisconsin agriculture and the financial viability of farm businesses. This position will support the development, delivery, and evaluation of programs for farmers and agribusiness professionals to help inform decisions for profitable, healthy farm businesses.

• Collaborate with Extension colleagues and stakeholders to support the development and delivery of robust, high-quality outreach education programs to find solutions to the most critical farm management challenges facing Wisconsin producers.
• Develop and maintain specific expertise in farm management for farm businesses.
• Build trust-based relationships with individual and organizational stakeholders.
• Work with the Program Manager to facilitate programmatic efforts, maintain strategic direction, and build partnerships to support the work.

The ideal candidate will have experience with developing and evaluating educational programs and a track record of building positive relationships.

Division of Extension headquarters are located within Madison, WI but the position location is flexible and will be determined based on programmatic needs, successful candidate's preferences, and availability of suitable space.

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. Remote work requires an approved remote work agreement (RWA). A RWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

This position has the possibility of working up to 2 days remote per Extension's Remote Work Policy.

It is expected that employees will make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions. Read more about UW-Madison Driver Authorization.

Applicants are required to:
Have a valid drivers license and a reliable source of independent transportation for periodic in-state work travel, and/or comply with requirements for UW-Madison vehicle use authorization.

Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials

Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program

Communicate plans, activities, and achievements to Program Manager, partners, and relevant stakeholders

Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members

Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers

Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program

May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement

The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $70,000 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

• Three or more years of relevant professional experience;
• Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing, and applying evidence-based information and research findings
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, through a variety of technologies
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives

• Education or experience with agricultural economics, strategic business management, business development, including farm financial management and analysis, business succession, and transition.
• Strong interpersonal relationships and problem-solving skills in a team setting
• Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships
• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific materials in written and verbal forms for a variety of lay and other audiences

Bachelor's degree in a field related to farm management, agricultural business, agricultural economics,…