Pest Management Outreach Specialist

Job Summary:
Job Summary:
Guidance and expertise are needed to develop and offer training for pesticide applicators in Wisconsin. Developing and conducting training across Wisconsin as part of a certification system designed to protect applicators, the people of Wisconsin and the Environment.

About Extension:
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 Agriculture Institute is one of six Institutes in the Division.

About the Nutrient and Pest Management (NPM) and Pesticide Applicator Training (PAT) Programs
This position will work with both the NPM and PAT Programs. The NPM Program develops and delivers nutrient and pest management education to agricultural producers and their consultants across the state based on priority educational needs. The PAT Program works closely with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to develop and product training materials for pesticide applicators seeking certification. The program maintains training manuals keeping them to date with both Federal and State requirements and rules and trains based on certification requirements in pesticide risk mitigation, pest management, and the rules and regulations of pesticide use to aid in compliancy.

About this Position:
The Pest Management Outreach Specialist position will spend part of the year (December- March) training commercial and private pesticide applicators in the state of Wisconsin for the purpose of certification. This position will also maintain and update training materials and curriculum. For the remainder of the year, the Pest Management Outreach Specialist will identify priority educational needs in the state related to managing pests in agricultural systems and the judicious, effective and efficient use of pesticides.

The Pest Management Outreach Specialist will:
-Develop and deliver Commercial and Private applicator trainings for the PAT Program
-Maintain and update PAT training materials and develop new training concepts and options
-Build trust-based relationships with stakeholders
-Develop and deliver agricultural pest management and pesticide education based on priority needs in the state.

The ideal candidate will have experience with pesticides and pest management (specifically entomology, pathology, or weed management background) and pesticide regulations.

The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non-biased, and inclusive organization. (https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/). As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion.
Responsibilities: Delivers and assists with planning outreach program activities, strengthens partnerships, ensures adherence to policy, and assists with program administration to promote stable and productive relationships between the university and local community. Strives to expand and ensure access to programs, facilities, and educational services to diverse audiences. May assist with tracking and managing the outreach program budget.

• 10% Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• 10% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• 20% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• 20% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• 40% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement

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.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Required
Bachelor's Degree in a field related to this position's focus

Preferred
Master's Degree in a field related to this position's focus
Qualifications:
Required:
-Three or more years of relevant professional experience
-Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing, and applying evidence-based information and research findings and regulatory compliancy
-Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, through a variety of technologies
-Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity

Preferred:
-Background in education, specifically with adult education
-Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting
-Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships
-Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific and regulatory materials in written and verbal forms for a variety of lay and other audiences
-Demonstrated ability to write grants and establish partnerships that pool or leverage public and private funds in support of the Institutional mission
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%

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.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $60,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off;
Additional Information:
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 final candidate will be required to have taken or obtain the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) training and maintain status each year. They will also be required to have or be able to obtain a Wisconsin Pesticide Applicator License in any license category. These can be obtained on the job.
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 submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. 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/.
Contact:
Daniel Smith
dhsmith@wisc.edu
608-219-5170
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Outreach Specialist(OE009)
Department(s):
A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/AGR/PAT
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
305002-AS