Soil Fertility Outreach Specialist

Job Category

Academic Staff

Regular

Outreach Specialist

Are you passionate about bridging the gap between cutting‑edge research and real‑world farming? As the Soil Fertility Outreach Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the sustainability and profitability of Wisconsin’s diverse agricultural landscape. The Soil Fertility Outreach Specialist will address high priority issues related to implementation and adoption of research based soil fertility management practices. On‑farm research and educational outreach will advance practices that result in positive economic, agronomic, and environmental outcomes.

Practices of particular importance may include routine soil fertility testing and interpretation, 4‑R fertilizer management, precision and/or variable rate nutrient applications, and nutrient cycling from non‑fertilizer nutrient sources. The position is intended to extend research findings related to practices that improve the sustainability of Wisconsin soil fertility management via outreach and educational programming to producers and agribusiness professionals across Wisconsin, including contributing to the Nutrient Management Farmer Education curriculum.

Desired areas of expertise include agronomy, plant nutrition, nitrogen management, soil pH and lime management, soil macro‑and micro‑nutrient cycling and management, soil sampling and testing, soil biology, and general crop management.

• Collaborate with farmers and colleagues to develop and implement on‑farm research, demonstrations, and outreach activities that engage the community in exploring innovative practices.
• Design and maintain high‑quality outreach programs that translate research findings into actionable solutions for the field.
• Develop and maintain expertise related to soil fertility management.
• Build trust‑based relationships with stakeholders, technical advisors, and Extension colleagues to inform priorities and increase program impact.
• 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.

Statewide

Location:

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.

Partial Remote:
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 off‑site, 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.

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.

Travel Expectations:
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 driver’s 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.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk on uneven ground in the course of farm visits or field work
• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Ability to work outside in inclement weather

• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
• Schedules and secures resources and communicates…