Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist
Job Location:
Madison, OH - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
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 Extensions 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 Extensions 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.
Division of Extension headquarters are located within Madison WI. This location as well as the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) are being considered as a potential location. However the position location is flexible within WI and will be determined based on programmatic needs successful candidates 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 to2days remote per Extensions 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.
There are three years of funding for this position with the opportunity to extend pending additional funding.
- 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
Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute Water Program is hiring for an Emerging Contaminants Outreach Specialist.
Extension embodies the Wisconsin Idea by developing and connecting the research and educational resources of UWMadison with residents and communities to address local statewide and national issues. We teach learn lead and serve transforming lives and communities.
The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $68000 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 thesummary of benefitsfor more information.
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
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
Masters degree with either graduate or undergraduate studies in a water resources-related field such as hydrology hydrogeology watershed management environmental toxicology.
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 beonly one attachment field. You must uploadall 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 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. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer and therefore is not eligible to employ F-1 STEM OPT Extension participants.
Application Deadline is September 24 2026 at 11:59pm (CDT).
Sara Dawson
Meg Domroese
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. SeeRELAYSERVICEfor further information.
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 OpportunityEmployer.
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 backgroundsand 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 accommodationfor 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 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.
Required Experience:
IC
About Company
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