Water Quality Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Outreach Specialist
Job Summary:
The Agriculture Water Quality Outreach Specialist will develop and deliver educational outreach for research and modeled assessments aligned with Wisconsin's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. It will have a lead role in translating and sharing the findings of newly developed Phosphorus and Nitrogen Science Assessments with farmers, farm advisors, and agency personnel. Through "train-the-trainer" initiatives and collaborative partnerships, this position will help practitioners understand how agricultural decisions impact local water quality and regional nutrient balances. Specific duties of this position include:

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• Develop and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement, with a heavy focus on translating results related to Developing a Science Assessment for Wisconsin's Nutrient Reduction into accessible learning tools.
• Deliver outreach program content and materials to conservationists, farmers and other stakeholders
• Perform statistical analysis on water quality data and create clear, engaging data visualizations of complex research for a variety of audiences (e.g. farmers, conservationists, scientists)
• Schedule and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• Research, develop, and facilitate outreach program content and materials
• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

Statewide Location
Division of Extension headquarters are located within Madison, WI but the position location is flexible and will be determined based on programmatic needs, successful candidate's preferences, and availability of suitable space.
Partial Remote
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.
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:

• 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

• Perform statistical analysis on water quality data and create clear, engaging visual representations of complex research for diverse audiences (from scientists to local farmers).

• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials

• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program

• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending

Department:
Division of Extension, Agriculture Institute, Agriculture Water Quality Program is hiring for an Agriculture Water Quality Outreach 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 UW-Madison Division of Extension Agriculture Institute addresses emerging issues related to Wisconsin's agriculture and horticulture systems with research-based outreach to advance economically sustainable, socially responsible, and environmentally sound practices.
About the Program:
The Agriculture Water Quality Program delivers educational content for farmers, crop advisors and conservation professionals on the relationships between ag production practices and water quality outcomes.
Agriculture Water Quality
Compensation:
The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $65,000 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:

• Professional Experience: 3 or more years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, conservation, applied research or a closely related field.
• Science Communication: Demonstrated ability to effectively translate and communicate complex water quality, soil conservation, and nutrient management concepts to diverse audiences through both written materials and public speaking.
• Data Analysis & Visualization: Proven technical literacy in analyzing water quality or similar research data and translating those findings into clear, engaging visual representations, graphics, and presentation materials.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to build trust and work collaboratively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, including farmers, conservationists, researchers, and agency partners.
• Program Delivery: Hands-on experience developing, coordinating, and delivering educational programs or curriculum.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced Data & Tools: Hands-on experience using R or RStudio for statistical analysis and generating high-quality data visualizations.
• Collaboration & Problem Solving: Exceptional interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and solve problems collaboratively in a team environment.
• Scientific Translation: Deep experience tailoring highly technical scientific findings into clear, actionable insights for non-scientific audiences.
• Fundraising & Grant Writing: Experience writing successful grants and establishing partnerships that pool or leverage public and private funds.

Education:
Required Education:
Master's degree in a field related to this position's focus.
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 September 20, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).
Contact Information:
Sara Dawson
sara.dawson@wisc.edu
608-890-2629
Amber Radatz
amber.radatz@wisc.edu
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.
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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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