Provide input to UW researchers to guide research and expertise
in cranberry management.
Develop outreach programs to highlight research findings and
support on-the-ground implementation of innovative approaches and
best practices.
Build trust-based relationships with stakeholders and a strong
technical understanding of cranberry production systems to assess
needs within the state and develop programming to meet those
needs.
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
The position will be located in a cranberry-producing county of
Wisconsin, and rotation between offices in cranberry production
regions may be required. The exact headquarter 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 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 .
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 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.
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.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Communicates plans, activities, and achievements to Program
Managers and relevant Stakeholders through the reporting portal and
verbal updates
- Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content
and materials
- Delivers outreach program content and materials to community
members
- Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in
support of an outreach program
- Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures
through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and
student and community volunteers
- Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to
support the outreach program
- May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget
spending
- Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides
recommendations for improvement
Department:
Division of Extension, Agriculture Institute, Crops & Soils
Program is hiring for a Cranberry Outreach Specialist.
About Extension
Extension embodies the Wisconsin Idea by developing and connecting
the research and educational resources of UW–Madison with residents
and communities to address local, statewide, and national issues.
We teach, learn, lead and serve, transforming lives and
communities.
About the Institute
The UW-Madison Division of Extension Agriculture Institute
addresses emerging issues related to Wisconsin’s agriculture and
horticulture systems with research-based outreach to advance
economically sustainable, socially responsible, and environmentally
sound practices.
About the Program
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.
Crops & Soils
Compensation:
The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is
$70,000 but is negotiable based on experience and
qualifications.
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as
generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances
and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the
summary of benefits for more information.
Required Qualifications:
- Three or more years of relevant professional experience in
commercial fruit and/or perennial crop production systems.
- Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing, and applying
evidence-based information and research findings.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written
and verbal, using a variety of methods and technologies.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a
wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative
partnerships to accomplish goals.
- Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in
a team setting.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Demonstrated educational program development skills which
include planning and implementing programs; evaluating learning
experiences; and communicating program impact and value, in both
written and verbal formats, for a variety of lay and other
audiences as well as stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience in understanding experimental design,
statistical analysis and interpreting research data.
- Demonstrated ability to write grants and establish partnerships
that pool or leverage public and private funds in support of the
Institutional mission.
- Demonstrated fiscal management skills.
Education:
Required Education
Bachelor's degree in agriculture, plant sciences, entomology, plant
pathology, or a related field.
Preferred Education
Master's degree in agriculture, plant sciences, entomology, plant
pathology, or a related field.
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 "" button. You will be prompted to upload the following
documents:
- Resume
- Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)
Please note when applying, there will be
only one attachment
field. You must upload
all your documents in the attachment
field. Please submit a cover letter referring to your
work experience and a resume detailing your educational and
professional background as it relates to this position. 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.
Failure to upload all
required materials may result in your application not being
considered.
For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your
application materials to the job posting, please click
https://extension.wisc.edu/careers/ .
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.
Application Deadline is September 16, 2026 at 11:59pm
(CDT).
Contact Information:
Sara Dawson
sara.dawson@wisc.edu
608-890-2629
Rue Genger
rue.genger@wisc.edu
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See
RELAY_SERVICE for
further information.
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.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment
without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, 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 by acknowledging skills and expertise from all
backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For
more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to
view federal and state required postings, visit the
Human
Resources Workplace Poster website .
To
request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any
step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview,
pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the
Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you
are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to
help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also
require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct,
including 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 .
