Community Food Systems Program Manager
-
Outreach and Community Engagement
-
Opening at: Mar 30 2026 - 11:00pm CDT
-
Closing at: Apr 21 2026 - 11:00pm CDT
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 Program Manager
Job Summary:
The Community Food Systems Outreach Program Manager leads a statewide team of Extension specialists and County/Tribally based educators to provide outreach and education on a range of topics, including urban agriculture and community gardens, farm-to-institution network and supply chain development, food-based microenterprise development, Tribal Nation food systems, and food systems policy and planning. In addition to providing guidance on program planning, implementation, and evaluation, this position will work with colleagues to foster collaboration on interdisciplinary food systems issues across the Division of Extension by identifying cross-cutting priorities, coordinating efforts, and marshaling resources to enhance impact. This position will also build and maintain key relationships with external stakeholders and collaborators to inform program planning, develop responsive resources, secure aligned extramural funding, and expand program reach.
This position will 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). An 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 the assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the employee's expense.
This position may work remotely up to 3 days per Extension's Remote Work Policy.
This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.
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:
- Supervises the implementation of outreach-program-focused strategic planning initiatives and objectives
- May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees
- Determines outreach program needs and the personnel resource allocation plan
- Reviews recommendations for and provides input on the design and development of new outreach programs or services
- Monitors the unit or program budget and approves program expenditures
- Develops and implements operating policies and procedures to promote the outreach program in alignment with the strategic plan
Supports cross-institute leadership and coordination to amplify interdisciplinary food systems initiatives that advance division-wide programming priorities.
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.
The Extension Institute of Community Development provides educational programming to assist leaders, communities, and organizations realize their fullest potential. We work with communities to build the vitality that enhances their quality of life and enriches the lives of their residents. We educate in leadership development, organizational development, food systems, community economic development, local government education and much more. In short, the Community Development Institute plants and cultivates the seeds for thriving communities and organizations.
Compensation:
- The anticipated salary range for this position is $85,000 - $97,000.
- The starting salary for a candidate who may still be learning some aspects of the job and will work towards proficiency generally falls between $85,000 and $91,000.
- The starting salary for an experienced candidate who can fulfill most job responsibilities independently generally falls between $92,000 and $97,000.
- Final salary offers are determined at the time of hire and take into account the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and other job‑related factors.
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:
-
Minimum 3 years of professional experience in community food systems, community development, food security, urban agriculture, Tribal food systems, or other food‑systems–related program areas.
-
Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating community-based programs, including planning, implementing, and evaluating outreach or education initiatives.
-
Experience supervising or providing direct guidance to staff or teams, including responsibility for performance management, coaching, or directing the work of others.
-
Experience developing and managing program budgets, including monitoring expenditures and aligning resources with program goals.
-
Demonstrated ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with a wide range of communities and organizations, including community groups, Tribal Nations, local or state government, nonprofits, producers, or food system stakeholders.
-
Experience working collaboratively across disciplines or organizational units, especially in complex environments.
-
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare reports, develop educational materials, facilitate meetings, and present to diverse audiences.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in Extension, a land‑grant university, or similar public‑sector or community‑based educational environment.
-
Experience securing and managing external funding, such as grants, contracts, or multi organization supported initiatives.
-
Experience conducting or supporting applied or community-based research to inform program design, resources, or policy recommendations.
Education:
Master's Degree in a related field (e.g., Food Policy, Urban and Regional Planning, Agroecology, Public Health, Environmental Studies, or similar)
PhD in a related field (e.g., Food Policy, Urban and Regional Planning, Agroecology, Public Health, Environmental Studies, or similar)
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 now" button. You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
- Resume
- Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)
Please note when applying, there will be only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents in the attachment field. 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 Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Contact Information:
Lindsey Farnsworth
ldfarnsworth@wisc.edu
(608) 572-0716
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.