Cranberry Outreach Specialist

University of Wisconsin Madison•Wisconsin Rapids, WI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

As the Cranberry Outreach Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the sustainability and profitability of Wisconsin's largest fruit industry. The Cranberry Outreach Specialist will connect Wisconsin cranberry producers and industry professionals with research-based best practices for production and weed, pest and disease management through outreach and educational programming. The Outreach Specialist is expected to utilize excellent collaboration, problem solving, prioritization, and communication skills to work closely with producers, industry professionals, technical advisors, and colleagues to respond to timely management questions, implement collaborative outreach and grower education, and facilitate two-way communication between the cranberry industry and University researchers that will shape future research to respond to emerging industry needs. Extension Outreach Specialists collaborate with a team that includes UW-Madison Extension and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) colleagues, industry partners, producers, and other collaborators to develop robust, high-quality educational programs that deliver research-based solutions towards more efficient and sustainable cropping systems.

Requirements

Three or more years of relevant professional experience in commercial fruit and/or perennial crop production systems.
Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing, and applying evidence-based information and research findings.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, using a variety of methods and technologies.
Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
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.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships to accomplish goals.
Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
Demonstrated educational program development skills which include planning and implementing programs; evaluating learning experiences; and communicating program impact and value, in both written and verbal formats, for a variety of lay and other audiences as well as stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience in understanding experimental design, statistical analysis and interpreting research data.
Demonstrated ability to write grants and establish partnerships that pool or leverage public and private funds in support of the Institutional mission.
Demonstrated fiscal management skills.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with Extension colleagues, industry, and other stakeholders to identify needs and develop and maintain robust, high-quality outreach programs that address solutions to the most critical cranberry issues facing Wisconsin agriculture.
Provide input to UW researchers to guide research and expertise in cranberry management.
Develop outreach programs to highlight research findings and support on-the-ground implementation of innovative approaches and best practices.
Build trust-based relationships with stakeholders and a strong technical understanding of cranberry production systems to assess needs within the state and develop programming to meet those needs.
Work with the Program Manager to facilitate programmatic efforts, maintain strategic direction, build partnerships, and seek a diverse funding portfolio to support the work.
Communicates plans, activities, and achievements to Program Managers and relevant Stakeholders through the reporting portal and verbal updates.
Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials.
Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members.
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.
Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program.
May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending.
Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement.