Wisconsin 4-H Positive Youth Development Outdoor Education Specialist

The4-H Positive Youth Development (PYD) Outdoor EducationSpecialist provides overall leadership and direction fora thrivingstatewide youth programming in the areasofoutdoor education(including youth camping programs)shooting sports (certification instruction volunteer management and state and national competitive shoots) and ATV safety. The Outdoor Education Specialist alsoserves as a professional resource for county-based 4-H Positive Youth Development focused educators and volunteers to extend high-quality youth-development focusedoutdooreducationprogrammingthroughout Wisconsin.As part of the team of state staff serving the Institute of Positive Youth Development including primary work within the Wisconsin 4-HClub MembershipProgram this fast-paced creative and self-directed position is well positioned for a candidate with a solid background in positive youth development principles a strong interest inoutdoor education and shooting sports and an aptitude for relationship building leadership and the cultivation of positive organizational and team environments. This position will work with both a wide variety of diverse adult volunteer leaders staff faculty administrators older youth leaders (primarily high school) and younger (primarily elementary and middle school) youth participants.

In general a successful candidate in this1.0 full timeequivalent(FTE)position will spend approximately:

• 40% of their timeserving as the4-H Shooting Sports State Coordinatorproviding leadership for state level4-Hshooting sportsprogrammingthestatewide4-H Shooting Sports Committeeand other evolving state level programming to increase engagementexperiential learning andproject-based skill development and leadership opportunities for all Wisconsin 4-H members andparticipants;

• 20% of their timefocused on supporting county-based Extension educators through building staff and volunteer capacity for high quality outdoor education ATV safetyand shooting sports programs and residential youth camping programs;

• 25% of their timecoordinating the Wisconsin4-HATV safety programinpartnershipwithUpham Woodsstaff including direct teaching volunteer recruitment and training and oversight for overall program implementation;

• 15% of their time working withfaculty and staff includingthe Upham Woods staffto foster and develop relationships in service tobuildingyouth-focusedoutdoor education outreachprogramming including not-yet-served youth and families.

The4-HPYD Institute works to catalyze positive change to engage Wisconsin youth in opportunities they need to learn lead grow and thrive. The Wisconsin 4-HClub MembershipProgram contributes to this work through the purposeful engagement of over 26000 youth members and 5000 adult volunteer leaders in 4-H clubs and groups throughout the state and tribal nations.Wisconsin 4-HPYDis a youth-driven volunteer-supported organization committed to expanding access to all and empowering youth to thrive.

The established headquarter location for this position is the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin.Upham Woods is a residential center within the UW-Madison Division of Extension.Itsmission is to provide innovative outdoor experiences that connect youth and adults with the research and educational resources of UWMadison to improve the human-nature connectionsupportunderstanding ofscience foster environmental stewardship and engage communities. is50%basefunded by the Division of Extension(campus state and federal dollars)and50%funded through gifts grants and philanthropy.This position includes expectations tosuccessfullyimplement grant expectations andengagein reports and stewardship to donors and funders in collaboration with 4-H PYD Institute and Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association (WFAA) leadership.

The established headquarter location for this position is the Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin. Up to two days (40% of time) can be spent working with a flexible working arrangement. Regular travel to Madison and throughout the state to participate in state team meetings and collaborate with others on campus and in county Extension offices is expected. Occasional night and weekend programming responsibilities are expected.

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 2days remote perExtensions 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.

UW-Madisons 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.

The Extension Institute of Positive Youth Development prepares the youth of today to become the effective empathic adults of tomorrow. Our research-based youth enrichment programs like teens in governance build youth and adult capacity and partnerships that help both sides grow. 4-H clubs camps and afterschool programs give young people the hands-on experiences they need to develop an understanding of themselves and the world.

The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $70000 but is negotiable based on experience and 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 ( Qualifications:

• 5years of relevant professional service or volunteer/education experience

• Experience in designing delivering and evaluating youth programs focused on outdoor education

• Experience planning and implementing educational programs

• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a collaborative team

• Demonstrated ability to provide responsive educational programs for people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience creating and overseeing program budgets

• Experience in standardization of policies practices and systems related to youth or adult programming

• Experience in cross-organizational partnerships

• Experience supervising staff and volunteers

• Demonstrated understandingof positive youth developmentwith the application ofoutdoor educationshooting sports and ATV safetyissues as they relate to both rural and urban communities

Education:

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 or CV
• Letter of Qualifications (cover letter)

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.

For additional guidance and resources on how to tailor your application materials to the job posting please click 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.

The application deadline is 11:59pm on Monday January 5 2026.

Contact Information:

Annie Lisowski

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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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