Demonstration Farm Network Coordinator - Military Veterans

Job Summary:
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.

Wisconsin farmers and the public benefit from the educational resources shared through existing Federally supported demonstration farm networks designed to showcase leading-edge conservation practice all around the State. However, the scale, production type, and conservation practices demonstrated in rural areas of the State is not immediately applicable to small-scale growers operating farm businesses in Wisconsin's urban centers. The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) has entered an agreement with UW-Madison Division of Extension in Milwaukee County to support the creation of Wisconsin's first-ever demonstration farm network aimed solely toward showcasing and supporting conservation activities on urban farms, titled Milwaukee Area Demonstration Farm Network (MADFN). This collaborative effort will enroll an initial cohort of 7 urban farm operations in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area which will collaborate with UW Extension and USDA-NRCS to showcase agricultural conservation measures relevant to urban food, fiber, and specialty crop production.

The Demonstration Farm Network Coordinator will manage the establishment of the urban demonstration farm network, which will include close collaboration with growers, representatives of USDA-NRCS, UW-Extension educators and specialists, and other community partners. The DFN Coordinator will take primary responsibility for working with USDA-NRCS to establish criteria for grower-network membership, selecting network members, working with the growers on their conservation planning, organizing field days and tours, supervise implementation of on-farm conservation standards, ensure that reporting and publication benchmarks are satisfied, and uphold standards for information quality in all public and internal materials.

The ideal candidate for this position will be a strong communicator capable of distilling findings from primary scientific literature into accessible products for public use. A background in urban or small-scale farming, agriculture, agronomy, plant science, soils, scientific communication, or a related field will be an asset in this role. Success in this position will require excellent interpersonal skills, systems thinking, and the ability to manage multiple simultaneous processes.

Core criteria for success in this role will be: (1) familiarity with Milwaukee Area urban agriculture producers, organizations, and markets, (2) familiarity with principles and techniques related to a urban agriculture systems in the Upper Midwest, (3) ability to collaborate with diverse outside partners and community stakeholders toward demonstration installations which highlight urban soil and water resource stewardship (4) Familiarity with the conservation incentives and standards offered by USDA-NRCS as applicable to urban food, fiber, and specialty crop producers.

The initial period of employment will be 3 years, with the possibility to be extended contingent upon available funding.

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: Organizes the development and delivery of outreach programs, including the responsibility for staffing. Assists with policy development and organizes resources 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.

• 30% Directs the implementation of program policies and procedures
• 5% Identifies, promotes, and maintains internal and external partnerships to promote the outreach program
• 25% Schedules and secures logistics and resources in support of an outreach program
• 15% Schedules day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers
• 5% Identifies opportunities for program improvement or new outreach program development
• 10% Directs publication of outreach materials, signage, and multimedia products
• 5% Fulfils reporting obligations per cooperative agreement
• 5% Creates and updates project planning documents in conjunction with UW-Extension and USDA-NRCS WI staff

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
Qualifications:
Required:
-Teamwork and collaboration
-Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision and manage time effectively
-Ability to communicate effectively using a variety of methods and technology
-Ability to work safely outside, including under adverse weather conditions
-Ability to effectively work with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age,
-Experience managing multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high-quality work
-Valid driver's license

Preferred:
-Knowledge of techniques used in urban food production systems
-Educational background in soils, agronomy, conservation science, or similar field
-Familiarity with contemporary Milwaukee County food systems organizations, farms, and public agencies
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $54,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; 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.

This position is supported by a 3-year (36-month) cooperative agreement between UW Madison Division of Extension and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Employment beyond this term is subject to success in securing additional financial support for the project.
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:
Martin Ventura
mkventura@wisc.edu
414-488-7720
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Outreach Program Coordinator(OE005)
Department(s):
A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/COMM/CFS/COMM FOOD S
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
309426-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 .