Program Associate Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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 Associate
Job Summary:
The 4-H Associate Educator is an integral member of the UW-Madison Division of Extension and works with youth, families, volunteers, schools, and community organizations to expand access to research-based positive youth development opportunities.
This position will initially serve Eau Claire County at a 40% appointment. As additional funding is secured, the position is expected to expand into Chippewa County and increase to an 80-100% appointment. The Associate Educator will lead outreach efforts, cultivate community partnerships, and deliver educational programming that engages youth and helps them develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
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
• Support the development of new 4-H in school, after school, and community clubs/groups.
• 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.
• Complete planning and reporting processes, and effectively communicate plans, activities, and outcomes to the 4-H Program Educator, Area Extension Director, Program Managers, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is adept at building and maintaining trust-based relationships, engaging community collaborators, and applying an equity lens towards transforming lives and communities.
County Location
The main office for this position is located in Eau Claire, WI and the primary programming focus is Eau Claire 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.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Helps build and sustain relationships with community partners

• Procures and maintains course materials and supplies

• Implements initiatives and events that serve the target audience

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

• Tracks program evaluation and incorporates feedback for improvement

• Communicate plans, activities and achievements to 4H Program Educator, Area Extension Director, Program Managers, partners and relevant stakeholders

• Helps design marketing materials and promotions for programs

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 Salary for the position is $47,290 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
This is a part-time position, which means actual salary earned will be prorated based on FTE (full-time status). At 40% FTE, the person hired can expect to receive 40% of the advertised salary. Please note that some benefits such as paid time off will be prorated by appointment percentage.
Required Qualifications:

• Ability to teach interactive lessons to youth and adults in group settings
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of back-grounds and perspectives
• At least two years of relevant work or volunteer experience in the area of youth programming.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of and experience with the Eau Claire County 4-H Program
• Experience managing multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high quality work
• Ability to work cooperatively with other agencies and community-based organizations

Education:
Minimum Bachelors Degree
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.
Application Deadline is July 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).
Contact Information:
Kristen Bruder - Hiring Manager
kristen.bruder@wisc.edu
Michele Blakeman - Human Resources
michele.blakeman@wisc.edu
(608) 262-7110
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.