Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist

Current Employees:
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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Regular

Outreach Specialist

The Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist within the UW-Madison Division of Extension works collaboratively with state and local agencies, health and water quality professionals, community leaders, and university partners to translate and apply research-based information on PFAS and other emerging contaminants. The Specialist helps communities, professionals, homeowners, and decision-makers understand water quality issues by connecting them with current research findings, health and water quality guidance, risk assessment information, and available technical and financial resources.

A primary responsibility of this position is to build and maintain relationships with federal, state, local, and university partners to identify community concerns and information needs related to PFAS and other emerging contaminants. The Specialist serves as a trusted resource, bringing together expertise from across organizations and translating complex research, technical guidance, and environmental health information into practical, audience-appropriate outreach and educational materials.

Working with communities, elected officials, and homeowners, the Specialist supports needs assessment efforts, facilitates risk communication and informed decision-making, and develops research-based responses to emerging questions and concerns.

In addition, this position serves as Extension's primary liaison to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for PFAS-related community engagement activities and coordination with other state agency partners. The Specialist coordinates PFAS outreach, education, and planning efforts among DNR, other state agencies, UW System researchers, and community partners. Responsibilities include communicating technical information and research findings to support community planning and funding decisions;

convening and sustaining statewide PFAS community networks in coordination with Extension's Community Development Institute (CDI); supporting implementation of cross-agency communication and outreach tools; and ensuring Extension education and outreach activities align with DNR PFAS grant objectives and collaborative statewide priorities.

Division of Extension headquarters are located within Madison, WI. This location as well as the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) are being considered as a potential location. However, the position location is flexible within WI 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 to2days remote per Extension's Remote Work Policy.

This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.

It is expected that employees will make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions.

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.

There are three years of funding for this position with the opportunity to extend, pending additional funding.