Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension seeks an Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist to collaborate with state and local agencies, health professionals, and university partners to translate PFAS research into practical outreach and education for communities.

The role builds relationships with federal, state, and local partners, coordinates PFAS outreach activities, and supports needs assessment, risk communication, and decision making.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply evidence-based information on emerging contaminants and water quality.
• Ability to translate scientific materials for lay audiences in written and verbal form.
• Experience working with diverse groups and partners to support outreach and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Identify and maintain external partnerships to support the outreach program.
• Collaborate with Extension and DNR colleagues on the PFAS outreach team to align information and resources.
• Schedule resources and coordinate logistics for outreach activities.
• Deliver outreach content and materials to community members.
• Develop and facilitate outreach content and materials.
• Develop and evaluate curricula and programs; provide improvement recommendations.
• Potentially assist with monitoring outreach program budgets.

Skills

Evidence-based info interpretation

Public outreach

Water quality knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's degree in water resources

Job description

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 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.

Statewide Location

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.

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 to2days 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.

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.

Appointment Duration

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

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program

• Works closely with Extension and DNR colleagues on the PFAS outreach team to coordinate and align information and resources, and report on activities and outcomes

• 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

Department:

Division of Extension, Natural Resources Institute, Water Program, is hiring for an Emerging Contaminants 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 Extension Natural Resources Institute (https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/) addresses today's critical environmental issues, particularly the sustainable management of food, water, and energy, by using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches grounded in an understanding of human interactions with resources. We leverage our team of researchers and outreach specialists to provide science-based information and education, embodying the Wisconsin Idea through extensive partnerships. Ultimately, our mission is to empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that benefit our shared natural resources through a variety of programs.

Compensation:

The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $68,000 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing and applying evidence-based information and research findings around emerging contaminants and water quality
• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific materials in written and verbal forms for a variety of lay and other audiences
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three or more years of relevant professional experience
• Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting
• Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships
• Experience in group facilitation to support needs identification, decision making and stakeholder engagement with complex issues

Education:

Required Education

Master's degree, with either graduate or undergraduate studies in a water resources-related field such as hydrology, hydrogeology, watershed management, environmental toxicology.

Contact Information:

Sara Dawson

[e-mail]

608-890-2629

Meg Domroese

[e-mail]

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 OpportunityEmployer.

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 backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit 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.