"Wisconsin 4-H Positive Youth Development Outdoor Education 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 4-H Positive Youth Development (PYD) Outdoor Education Specialist provides overall leadership and direction for a thriving statewide youth programming in the areas of outdoor education (including youth camping programs), shooting sports (certification, instruction, volunteer management, and state and national competitive shoots), and ATV safety. The Outdoor Education Specialist also serves as a professional resource for county-based 4-H Positive Youth Development focused educators and volunteers to extend high-quality, youth-development focused outdoor education programming throughout Wisconsin. As part of the team of state staff serving the Institute of Positive Youth Development, including primary work within the Wisconsin 4-H Club Membership Program, this fast-paced, creative, and self-directed position is well positioned for a candidate with a solid background in positive youth development principles, a strong interest in outdoor education and shooting sports, and an aptitude for relationship building, leadership, and the cultivation of positive organizational and team environments. This position will work with both a wide variety of diverse adult volunteer leaders, staff, faculty, administrators, older youth leaders (primarily high school), and younger (primarily elementary and middle school) youth participants.

In general, a successful candidate in this 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE) position will spend approximately:

• 40% of their time serving as the 4-H Shooting Sports State Coordinator providing leadership for state level 4-H shooting sports programming, the statewide 4-H Shooting Sports Committee and other evolving state level programming to increase engagement, experiential learning and project-based skill development, and leadership opportunities for all Wisconsin 4-H members and participants;
• 20% of their time focused on supporting county-based Extension educators through building staff and volunteer capacity for high quality outdoor education, ATV safety and shooting sports programs, and residential youth camping programs;
• 25% of their time coordinating the Wisconsin 4-H ATV safety program in partnership with Upham Woods staff, including direct teaching, volunteer recruitment and training, and oversight for overall program implementation;
• 15% of their time working with faculty and staff, including the Upham Woods staff, to foster and develop relationships in service to building youth-focused outdoor education outreach programming, including not-yet-served youth and families.

The 4-H PYD Institute works to catalyze positive change to engage Wisconsin youth in opportunities they need to learn, lead, grow, and thrive.  The Wisconsin 4-H Club Membership Program contributes to this work through the purposeful engagement of over 26,000 youth members and 5,000 adult volunteer leaders in 4-H clubs and groups throughout the state and tribal nations.  Wisconsin 4-H PYD is a youth-driven, volunteer-supported organization committed to expanding access to all and empowering youth to thrive.

The established headquarter location for this position is the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Upham Woods is a residential center within the UW-Madison Division of Extension. Its mission is to provide innovative outdoor experiences that connect youth and adults with the research and educational resources of UW–Madison to improve the human-nature connection, support understanding of science, foster environmental stewardship, and engage communities. https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/uphamwoods/

This full-time position is 50% base funded by the Division of Extension (campus, state, and federal dollars) and 50% funded through gifts, grants, and philanthropy. This position includes expectations to successfully implement grant expectations and engage in reports and stewardship to donors and funders in collaboration with 4-H PYD Institute and Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) leadership.

Statewide Location

The established headquarter location for this position is the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Up to two days (40% of time) can be spent working with a flexible working arrangement. Regular travel to Madison and throughout the state to participate in state team meetings and collaborate with others on campus and in county Extension offices is expected. Occasional night and weekend programming responsibilities are expected.

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:

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

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 Extension Institute of Positive Youth Development prepares the youth of today to become the effective, empathic adults of tomorrow. Our research-based youth enrichment programs like teens in governance build youth and adult capacity and partnerships that help both sides grow. 4-H clubs, camps and afterschool programs give young people the hands-on experiences they need to develop an understanding of themselves and the world.

Compensation:

The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $70,000 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:

• 5 years of relevant professional service or volunteer/education experience
• Experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating youth programs focused on outdoor education
• Experience planning and implementing educational programs
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a collaborative team
• Demonstrated ability to provide responsive educational programs for people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience creating and overseeing program budgets
• Experience in standardization of policies, practices, and systems related to youth or adult programming
• Experience in cross-organizational partnerships
• Experience supervising staff and volunteers
• Demonstrated understanding of positive youth development with the application of outdoor education, shooting sports, and ATV safety issues as they relate to both rural and urban communities

Education:

Required Education
Bachelor’s degree within a related field

Preferred Education
Master’s degree in a related field of study such as Education, Youth Development, Environmental Education, Outdoor Education, etc.

Preferred Certifications

• Certification(s) from relevant state or national certifying agencies in areas related to shooting sports and/or ATV safety, e.g. Wisconsin Department of National Resources (DNR) or the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP)

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 or CV
• 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 Monday, January 5, 2026.

Contact Information:

Annie Lisowski
annie.lisowski@wisc.edu
(608) 894-0093