Academic Staff
Regular
Outreach Specialist
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.
Specific roles of the position will include:
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.
The ideal candidate will have experience with developing and evaluating educational programming and a track record of building positive relationships.
The position will be located in a cranberry-producing county of Wisconsin, and rotation between offices in cranberry production regions may be required. The exact headquarter location is flexible and will be determined based on programmatic needs, successful candidate’s preferences, and availability of suitable space.
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.
This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends to meet the program needs and priorities of the communities served.
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.
Ability to walk on uneven ground in the course of farm visits or field work.
Ability to lift 25 pounds.
Ability to work outside in inclement weather.
- 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
Division of Extension, Agriculture Institute, Crops & Soils Program is hiring for a Cranberry Outreach Specialist.
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.
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.
The Agriculture Institute’s Crops and Soils Program works hand-in-hand with row crop, forage, fruit and vegetable producers to implement best practices for every aspect of the growing phase. The Crops and Soils program provides timely resources and information to help crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
Crops & Soils
The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $70,000 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.
Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits
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.
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.
Bachelor's degree in agriculture, plant sciences, entomology, plant pathology, or a related field.
Master's degree in agriculture, plant sciences, entomology, plant pathology, or a related field.
We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. To begin the application process,
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
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 September 16, 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).
Sara Dawson
[email protected]
608-890-2629
Rue Genger
[email protected]
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
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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.
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).
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