New

Urban Forestry and Woody Ornamentals Outreach Specialist

University of Wisconsin Madison
life insurance, paid time off, remote work
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Apr 24, 2026
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Jobs Hub to apply through the internal application process. Job Category:Academic Staff Employment Type:Regular Job Profile:Outreach Specialist Job Summary: The Urban Forestry and Woody Ornamentals Outreach Specialist position is designed to work with individuals, municipalities, community organizations, and green industry professionals across Wisconsin to address challenges in urban forestry and yard trees and shrubs. This role connects stakeholders with the latest research and best practices to support the health, resilience, and longterm sustainability of the state's urban forests and ornamental landscapes. The Urban Forestry and Woody Ornamentals Outreach Specialist will: Collaborate with Extension colleagues, partners, and stakeholders to identify priority needs and develop, deliver, and maintain robust, high-quality urban forestry and woody ornamental outreach education programs. Develop and maintain expertise related to healthy and resilient woody ornamental and urban forestry management. Build trust-based relationships with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have experience with developing and evaluating educational programming and a track record of building positive relationships. 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: May assist with the monitoring of outreach program budget spending Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the 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 Communicates plans, activities, and achievements to Program Managers and relevant stakeholders through the reporting portal and verbal updates Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members Department: Division of Extension, Agriculture Institute, Horticulture Program is hiring for an Urban Forestry and Woody Ornamentals 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. Additional Department Details The Horticulture Program, a part of the UW-Madison Division of Extension Agriculture Institute, provides evidence-based education, information and resources to consumers and professional horticulture audiences supporting positive outcomes and environmental stewardship while growing lawns, landscapes and gardens. Compensation: The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $62,000 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: Three or more years relevant professional experience. 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. Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated experience building collaborative relationships 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. 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. Education: Required Education Bachelor's degree in a related field Preferred Education Master's degree in a field of study related to this position's focus. Preferred Certifications ISA Certified Arborist (International Society of Arboriculture) 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 May 25, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT). Contact Information: Sara Dawson sara.dawson@wisc.edu 608-890-2629 Peggy Damann peg.damann@wisc.edu Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. 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. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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. To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including 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.