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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Outreach Specialist
Job Summary:
The PFAS Community Outreach & Grant Support 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 improve community awareness, engagement, and access to the PFAS community grant program, enhance proposal quality, and increase grantee readiness. The Specialist serves as a trusted resource, connecting expertise across organizations to support communities, including Tribal Nations and rural towns and villages.
Primary responsibilities of this position are to facilitate community conversations; coordinate subject matter expert “road shows” to provide training for local government officials, community-based groups, and the general public; and host grant writing workshops to assist communities in applying for funding according to the DNR program requirements. The position will also facilitate peer learning across communities and connect PFAS-related technical assistance with broader community and regional development efforts.
The Specialist works closely with the Natural Resource Institute (NRI) Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist as part of a statewide PFAS team. Together, the team coordinates education and outreach activities that support DNR PFAS grant objectives and 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.
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.
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.
Appointment Duration
There are three years of funding for this position with the opportunity to extend, pending additional funding.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Works closely with other Extension and DNR colleagues on the PFAS outreach team to coordinate and align information, resources, events, and deadlines
- 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
- Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
- May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
Department:
Division of Extension, Community Development Institute is hiring for a PFAS Community Outreach & Grant Support 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 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 minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $63,000, 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:
Knowledge of grant writing principles and best practices.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills in team-based and community-centered settings.
Demonstrated experience facilitating educational programs, community conversations, public engagement activities, or other participatory decision-making efforts.
Demonstrated ability to interpret, apply, and communicate evidence-based information and research findings to support community decision-making and problem-solving.
Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences.
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with community groups, local governments, Tribal Nations, nonprofit organizations, and other partners.
Preferred Qualifications:
Three or more years of relevant professional experience in community development, Extension, public engagement, environmental outreach, technical assistance, grant support, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating, and delivering educational workshops, trainings, conferences, or outreach programs for diverse audiences.
Knowledge of PFAS, water quality issues, environmental contamination, environmental health, or related natural resource and community development topics.
Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating cross-sector partnerships among community organizations, government agencies, academic institutions, and other stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to assist organizations or communities in identifying, pursuing, and securing grant funding, including experience with grant writing, proposal development, or grant-related technical assistance.
Education:
Bachelor's Degree, with undergraduate studies in a position-relevant field such as community development, environmental science, environmental studies, public administration, or urban and regional planning.
Preferred Education
Master's Degree, with graduate studies in a position-relevant field such as community development, environmental science, environmental studies, public administration, or urban and regional planning.
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:
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. Failure to upload all required materials may result in your application not being considered.
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. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants.
Application Deadline is September 24, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).
Contact Information:
Sara Dawson
608-890-2629
sara.dawson@wisc.edu
Sarah Schlosser
sarah.schlosser@wisc.edu
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).
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