Area Extension Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Outreach Associate NE
Job Summary:
The Associate 4-H Program Educator is an integral part of the UW-Madison Division of Extension and works alongside the people of Wisconsin to improve lives and communities. This (up to 16 hours per week) position will primarily serve Barron County.
The primary focus will include:

• Outreach and promotion of the 4-H Community Club program, including expanding access to diverse youth and families.
• Plan and coordinate programs for youth.
• Assist with general support of 4-H community clubs, groups, committees, and special events.
• Collaborate with the Youth Development Team and other Extension Educators to support a positive youth experience.
• Provide administrative support across various functions, including coordination of educational programs, managing correspondence, maintaining records, and performing data entry, including through the use of 4-H Online.

There will be some weekend and evening hours required, as well as opportunities to work a flexible schedule, up to 16 hours a week. This position will help with implementing and magnifying programming, event planning and helping to maintain a support system for sustainable programming for the Barron County 4-H program.
County Location
The main office for this position is located in Rice Lake, WI and the primary programming focus is Barron County; however, some programming may also be conducted over a broader geographical area.
In Person
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
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 25 pounds with assistance
• Ability to lift 10 pounds to shoulder height
• Ability work outside in inclement weather

Key Job Responsibilities:
Communicates plans, activities and achievements to the 4-H Program Educator, Area Extension Director, Program Managers, partners and relevant collaborators/partners
Collects, analyzes, prepares and communicates programmatic data, organizational information and resources from established sources

• Helps design marketing materials and promotions for programs

• Teaches culturally relevant educational programs to adults and youth using learner-centered activities and lessons

• Implements initiatives and events that serve the target audience

• Procures and maintains course materials and supplies

• Tracks program evaluation and incorporates feedback for improvement

Department:
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 Positive Youth Development prepares the youth of today to become the effective, empathic adults of tomorrow. Our research-based youth enrichment programs like teens in governance build youth and adult capacity that help both sides grow. 4-H clubs, camps and afterschool programs give young people the hands-on experiences they need to develop an understanding of themselves and the world.
Compensation:
The minimum annual (12 months) starting hourly rate for the position is $19 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications
Additional Compensation Details
Night and Weekend Work: This position may include working nights and weekends to meet programming needs. Hours worked overnight between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. are eligible for a $0.80 per hour night differential. Hours worked on weekends between 12:01 a.m. Saturday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday are eligible for a $0.80 per hour weekend differential.
Required Qualifications:

• Experience managing multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high quality work
• Ability to work independently and productively with minimal supervision
• Experience or knowledge of communication tools and technical platforms such as: Microsoft Office Suite, Myemma, Google Suite, Canva and website management platforms
• At least two years of relevant work or volunteer experience in the area of youth programming
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional work environments
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to develop and design high-quality, visually appealing graphic materials
• Ability and desire to learn and manage new technology platforms
• Familarity with 4-H programming
• Experience in 4-H project areas
• Work experience relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position
• Experience working with adult volunteers or staff and program partners
• Demonstrated success in developing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs for different audiences utilizing a variety of educational techniques, methods, and modes.

Education:
High school diploma or equivalent
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. 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.
This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and then every two years.
Application Deadline is September 25, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).
Contact Information:
Michele Blakeman (Human Resources)
michele.blakeman@wisc.edu
(608) 262-7110
Lori Pillion-Baltrusis (Hiring Manager)
lori.baltrusis@wisc.edu
(715) 295-4112
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
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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.
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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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