Working Lands Forestry Educator

Job Summary:

The Forestry Outreach Educator positions will work with family forest owners statewide. This role is housed in the Natural Resources Institute (https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/) within UW-Madison's Division of Extension (https://extension.wisc.edu/).

The Natural Resources Outreach Specialist designs, promotes, administers, and supports outreach activities, community engagement, and educational programming. This unique statewide role will work with WI Department of Natural Resources and an advisory panel to guide forestry outreach that is intended encourage underserved landowners to adopt and adapt woodland management. Both positions are based on a 2-year contract, renewable pending funding. The two locations available for this position generally include Fox Valley and the western/northwestern part of the state. Initial programming focus for the 2 positions will be split based on the skills of each finalist, and will include:

• Coordinate and deliver outreach programs to underserved landowners with limited management experience and connect landowners to foresters for technical advice, particularly with a climate change perspective.

• Development of a program strategy and outreach plan with advisory panel and Extension team.

• Implementation and evaluation of outreach for landowners to educate them about climate change, adaptation, and mitigation within woodlands.

• Schedule logistics and facilitate communication with DNR and an advisory panel to support the climate project.

• Conduct training programs for DNR and Cooperating Foresters regarding integrating climate actions into management plans.

• Meet with DNR and key partners to evaluate progress, accomplishments, and barriers of the climate project. Provide support to the DNR Private Forestry Program on related projects.

• Evaluate the success of the project and identify any future funding needs or ideas for additional grant opportunities connected to this project.

• Coordinate and deliver working lands outreach programs for landowners and connect landowners to foresters for technical advice.

• Implementation and evaluation of outreach for landowners to educate them about agroforestry, timber products, non-timber forest products (initial focus on maple syrup), and income opportunities.

• Conduct training programs for natural resources managers regarding agroforestry and maple syrup management.

• Meet with DNR and key partners to evaluate progress, accomplishments, and barriers of outreach work.

• Evaluate the success of the project and identify any future funding needs or ideas for additional grant opportunities connected to this project.

• Work with the Regional Natural Resource Educators to fulfill funding partners requirements around other outreach and education.

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.

• 20% Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• 20% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• 15% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• 15% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• 10% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• 10% Works with the Regional Natural Resource Educator team to fulfill funding partners requirements around outreach and education.
• 10% Communicate plans, activities and achievements to Program Managers, partners and relevant stakeholders

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 (or an advanced degree) in a field that relates to the responsibilities of this position, including, but not limited to human dimensions or behavior change in natural resource management, forestry, or other closely-related fields.

Preferred

Master's Degree in a field relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Work experience relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position.

• Experience working 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:

• Experience planning, implementing, and/or evaluating community-based, non-formal, innovative educational programs related to natural resources.

• At least 2 years experience developing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs for diverse audiences utilizing a variety of educational techniques, methods, and modes preferably in forestry or other natural resources context.

• Experience in facilitation to assist other agencies, community-based services, or organizations addressing educational and organizational needs.

• Demonstrated skill in interpreting, utilizing, and applying evidence-based information and research findings.

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 $56,500 ANNUAL (12 months)

Depending on Qualifications

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/).

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.

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.

We aim to hire two forestry educators to serve regional geographies around Wisconsin. The anticipated regions include eastern Wisconsin (Fox Valley) and western or northwestern Wisconsin. Please indicate in your cover letter if you have a preference in region.

Contact:

Kris Tiles

kris.tiles@wisc.edu

715-261-1254

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Outreach Specialist(OE009)

Department(s):

A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/NR/RGN/REG NAT RS PR

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

301488-AS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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 through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require you and your references to answer questions regarding 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.