"Nitrogen Management Outreach Specialist"

Job Details

Salary:
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Outreach Specialist

Job Summary:

The Nitrogen Management Outreach Specialist will address high priority issues around nitrogen management through collaborative, on-farm nitrogen research and research-based outreach programming. This position will serve as a connection point for participants and partners of the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program, as well as the broader Wisconsin agricultural community, to Extension and other University of Wisconsin resources. The Outreach Specialist is expected to utilize excellent communication skills to work closely with participants, partners, and agency stakeholders, implement activities in service of the goals of the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program, and deliver a comprehensive portfolio of nitrogen management outreach. They will collaborate with a team that includes UW-Madison Extension and CALS colleagues, agency partners and external stakeholders to develop robust, high-quality educational programs that deliver research-based solutions towards more efficient nitrogen use, improved profitability and groundwater protection.

The Nitrogen Management Outreach Specialist will:

• Collaborate with UW colleagues, agency, farmers and agricultural stakeholders to support nitrogen on-farm research, outreach programming and goals of the Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program.
• Develop and maintain robust, high-quality outreach education programs that provide research-based solutions towards more efficient nitrogen use, improved profitability and groundwater protection.
• Assess the needs for and support on-farm applied research that documents impacts of nitrogen management practices and informs subsequent outreach and education.
• Develop and maintain specific expertise related to nitrogen management.

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

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Ability work outside in inclement weather
• Ability to walk on uneven ground, as required by farm visits and/or field work

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 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.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
• 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

Department:

UW-Madison’s Division of Extension serves the people and communities of Wisconsin by addressing local, statewide and national issues, improving lives through research-based education, fostering partnerships and action, and facilitating positive impacts.

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 $62,000 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Benefits

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/)

Required Qualifications:

• Three or more years 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, 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 with nutrient management related farm practices.
• 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 required, in a field of study related to this position’s focus.

Preferred Education

Master’s preferred

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 "Apply" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

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.

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.

The application deadline is 11:59pm on December 3, 2025.

Contact Information:

Abby Augarten

(608) 572-2182

aaugarten@wisc.edu