Natural Resources Water Educator

University of Wisconsin; Wisconsin Rapids (WI); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Natural Resources Water Educator role at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension requires designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs focused on water resources in Wood County, Wisconsin. The position emphasizes partnerships with farmers, residents, and officials to drive community-based water solutions.

Partial remote work is possible; main office is in Wisconsin Rapids with in-person program delivery. Travel and driver license required.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of work experience relevant to program responsibilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally using various methods.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Assist with monitoring outreach program budget spending.
• Schedule resources and logistics for outreach programs.
• Lead implementation of programs and supervise volunteers.
• Deliver outreach content and materials to community members.
• Develop and evaluate curriculum and programs; provide improvement recommendations.
• Build external partnerships to support outreach programs.

Skills

Effective communication

Driver license

Stakeholder engagement

Water resources knowledge

GIS familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural/water resource management or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

GIS

Data visualization

Environmental monitoring tools

Field sampling techniques

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 Natural Resources Water Educator designs, delivers, and evaluates research-based educational programming and services aligned with the position's programmatic focus in Wood County. Initial programming focus will include:

Building and strengthening partnerships among farmers, residents, watershed organizations, conservation partners, educators, and local officials to advance collaborative, community-driven water resource solutions.

Providing research-based education, outreach, and public engagement on water quality, water quantity, conservation practices, groundwater issues, and other emerging water resource topics.

Supporting and coordinating watershed-based conservation initiatives, including producer-led watershed groups, by facilitating collaboration and sustaining momentum toward shared goals.

Helping communities identify and implement effective water resource solutions by connecting them with resources, funding opportunities, technical expertise, and innovative conservation approaches.

Serving as a local water resource leader and trusted source of information by identifying emerging issues, fostering informed dialogue, and connecting community needs with Extension expertise.

County Location

The main office for this position is located in Wisconsin Rapids, WI and the primary programming focus is Wood County.

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 week.

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 educational equipment, up to 25 pounds with assistance

Key Job Responsibilities:

• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
• 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
• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• Communicates plans, activities, and achievements to Program Managers, partners and relevant stakeholders
• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement

Department:

The Division of Extension, Natural Resources Institute, Wood County is hiring for a Natural Resources Water Educator.

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 $60,795 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:

• At least 2 years work experience relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position
• Ability to communicate effectively (both in writing and verbally) using a variety of methods and technology,
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives
• Knowledge of water resources, watersheds, aquatic ecosystems, groundwater, water quality, conservation practices, and natural resource stewardship principles
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community members, schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• A combination of at least 3 years of relevant work experience in the area of programming and service delivery such as water quality, civic engagement, adult education and outreach, organizational development and other collaborative, partner-accountable experiences
• Demonstrated success in developing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs for diverse audiences utilizing a variety of educational techniques, methods, and modes
• Experience planning, implementing, and/or evaluating civic engagement, leadership and organizational development, and watershed planning with community groups
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal water resource policies, programs, and regulations
• Familiarity with stormwater management, watershed protection, lake and stream ecology, groundwater management, or agricultural conservation practices
• Experience using GIS, data visualization, environmental monitoring tools, or field sampling techniques

Education:

Required Education

Bachelor's degree in a field that relates to the responsibilities of this position including but not limited to natural/water resource management, agriculture extension, hydrogeology, soil science, agronomy, rural sociology, environmental science, or other closely related fields

Preferred Education

A Master's degree in a field relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position

Contact Information:

Sara Dawson

608-890-2629

[e-mail]

Jen McNelly

[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 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.