Associate 4-H Program Educator

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Town of Rice Lake (WI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking an Outreach Associate NE to support 4-H programs in Barron County with flexible scheduling. The role involves outreach, planning youth activities, and coordinating events while collaborating with Extension Educators. Weekend/evening work is common.

The position emphasizes data collection, promotions, and administrative support, with emphasis on inclusive community engagement across Wisconsin.

Qualifications

• Experience managing multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining quality.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Canva, Myemma or related tools.
• At least two years of relevant youth programming experience or volunteering.
• Strong interpersonal skills and adaptability with diverse teams.
• Ability to work with people from varied backgrounds and perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Communicate plans, activities and outcomes to the 4-H Program Educator and partners.
• Collect, analyze and share program data from established sources.
• Design marketing materials and program promotions.
• Teach youth and adults using learner-centered activities and lessons.
• Implement initiatives and events for target audiences.
• Procure, maintain materials and track program evaluation.

Skills

Task management

Independent work

Office tools

Youth programming

Interpersonal skills

Diversity & collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Canva

Myemma

Website management platforms

Job description

Job Profile

Outreach Associate NE

Contact Information

Michele Blakeman (Human Resources)

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 Associate NE

Job Summary

The Associate 4-H Program Educator is an integral part of the UW-Madison Division of Extension and works alongside the people of Wisconsin to improve lives and communities. This (up to 16 hours per week) position will primarily serve Barron County.

• Outreach and promotion of the 4-H Community Club program, including expanding access to diverse youth and families.
• Plan and coordinate programs for youth.
• Assist with general support of 4-H community clubs, groups, committees, and special events.
• Collaborate with the Youth Development Team and other Extension Educators to support a positive youth experience.
• Provide administrative support across various functions, including coordination of educational programs, managing correspondence, maintaining records, and performing data entry, including through the use of 4-H Online.

There will be some weekend and evening hours required, as well as opportunities to work a flexible schedule, up to 16 hours a week. This position will help with implementing and magnifying programming, event planning and helping to maintain a support system for sustainable programming for the Barron County 4-H program.

County Location

The main office for this position is located in Rice Lake, WI and the primary programming focus is Barron County; however, some programming may also be conducted over a broader geographical area.

In Person

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

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 lift 25 pounds with assistance
• Ability to lift 10 pounds to shoulder height
• Ability work outside in inclement weather

Key Job Responsibilities

Communicates plans, activities and achievements to the 4-H Program Educator, Area Extension Director, Program Managers, partners and relevant collaborators/partners

Collects, analyzes, prepares and communicates programmatic data, organizational information and resources from established sources

• Helps design marketing materials and promotions for programs
• Teaches culturally relevant educational programs to adults and youth using learner-centered activities and lessons
• Implements initiatives and events that serve the target audience
• Procures and maintains course materials and supplies
• Tracks program evaluation and incorporates feedback for improvement

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 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 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 hourly rate for the position is $19 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications

Additional Compensation Details

Night and Weekend Work: This position may include working nights and weekends to meet programming needs. Hours worked overnight between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. are eligible for a $0.80 per hour night differential. Hours worked on weekends between 12:01 a.m. Saturday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday are eligible for a $0.80 per hour weekend differential.

Required Qualifications

• Experience managing multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high quality work
• Ability to work independently and productively with minimal supervision
• Experience or knowledge of communication tools and technical platforms such as: Microsoft Office Suite, Myemma, Google Suite, Canva and website management platforms
• At least two years of relevant work or volunteer experience in the area of youth programming
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional work environments
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to develop and design high-quality, visually appealing graphic materials
• Ability and desire to learn and manage new technology platforms
• Familarity with 4-H programming
• Experience in 4-H project areas
• Work experience relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position
• Experience working with adult volunteers or staff and program partners
• Demonstrated success in developing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs for different audiences utilizing a variety of educational techniques, methods, and modes.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Application Deadline

September 25, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT)

Application Eligibility

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. UW‑Madison is not an E‑Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants.

This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and then every two years.

Contact Information

Michele Blakeman (Human Resources)

[e-mail]

[phone]

Lori Pillion-Baltrusis (Hiring Manager)

[e-mail]

[phone]

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.