Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist within the UW-Madison Division of Extension works collaboratively with state and local agencies, health and water quality professionals, community leaders, and university partners to translate and apply research-based information on PFAS and other emerging contaminants. The Specialist helps communities, professionals, homeowners, and decision-makers understand water quality issues by connecting them with current research findings, health and water quality guidance, risk assessment information, and available technical and financial resources. A primary responsibility of this position is to build and maintain relationships with federal, state, local, and university partners to identify community concerns and information needs related to PFAS and other emerging contaminants. The Specialist serves as a trusted resource, bringing together expertise from across organizations and translating complex research, technical guidance, and environmental health information into practical, audience-appropriate outreach and educational materials. Working with communities, elected officials, and homeowners, the Specialist supports needs assessment efforts, facilitates risk communication and informed decision-making, and develops research-based responses to emerging questions and concerns. In addition, this position serves as Extension's primary liaison to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for PFAS-related community engagement activities and coordination with other state agency partners. The Specialist coordinates PFAS outreach, education, and planning efforts among DNR, other state agencies, UW System researchers, and community partners. Responsibilities include communicating technical information and research findings to support community planning and funding decisions; convening and sustaining statewide PFAS community networks in coordination with Extension's Community Development Institute (CDI); supporting implementation of cross-agency communication and outreach tools; and ensuring Extension education and outreach activities align with DNR PFAS grant objectives and collaborative statewide priorities.

Requirements

• Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing and applying evidence-based information and research findings around emerging contaminants and water quality
• Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific materials in written and verbal forms for a variety of lay and other audiences
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives
• Master's degree, with either graduate or undergraduate studies in a water resources-related field such as hydrology, hydrogeology, watershed management, environmental toxicology.
• 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

• Three or more years of relevant professional experience
• Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting
• Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships
• Experience in group facilitation to support needs identification, decision making and stakeholder engagement with complex issues

Responsibilities

• Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• Works closely with Extension and DNR colleagues on the PFAS outreach team to coordinate and align information and resources, and report on activities and outcomes
• Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending
• Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers

Benefits

• generous paid time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level