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Community Development Educator

University of Wisconsin Madison
paid time off
United States, Wisconsin, Green Lake
Aug 01, 2025
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 Duties:

The Community Development Extension Educator will serve Green Lake County, WI, and surrounding communities by supporting local efforts to address complex and interconnected challenges-such as housing, affordable childcare, and transportation-by strengthening community leadership, civic engagement, and organizational capacity. In collaboration with local agencies, partners, and residents, the Educator will facilitate community asset mapping, coalition and network development, and collaborative processes that enable communities to work more effectively together. These efforts will support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of policy, systems, and community-based change initiatives that contribute to healthy, vibrant, and resilient communities.

FTE:

This position has an FTE range of 80-100%.

Program Affiliation:
As part of the Organizational and Leadership Development Program within the Community Development Institute, this Educator will work with local governments, nonprofits, and other community-serving organizations to provide programming in leadership development, organizational development, strategic planning, and community engagement.

Statewide Contributions:
Educators are expected to contribute to statewide efforts aligned with their programmatic focus. These contributions benefit local partners by ensuring the Educator remains connected to current research, best practices, and peer networks. This statewide engagement enhances the relevance and effectiveness of local programming.

Connection to Statewide Resources:
The Educator will connect Green Lake County to the broader resources of the Community Development Institute and Extension. The Institute's educational and research efforts focus on building vibrant communities through creative strategies and informed decision-making. Available resources include:


  • Expert guidance to help local government officials govern more effectively

  • Education and tools to strengthen local food systems, supporting both farmers and consumers

  • Research, training, and technical assistance to support vibrant and resilient local economies.

  • Planning and capacity-building support for nonprofit and community-based organizations

  • Education and resources to grow local businesses through cooperative models


County Location

The main office for this position is located in Green Lake, WI and the primary programming focus is Green Lake County; however, some programming may also be conducted over a broader geographical area.

In Person

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

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:

Communicate plans, activities, and achievements to Area Extension Director, Program Managers, partners, and relevant stakeholders

  • Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
  • 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
  • Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
  • Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
Department:
About Extension

UW-Madison's 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.

About the Institute

The Extension Institute of Community Development provides educational programming to assist leaders, communities, and organizations realize their fullest potential. We work with communities to build the vitality that enhances their quality of life and enriches the lives of their residents. We educate in leadership development, organizational development, food systems, community economic development, local government education and much more. In short, the Community Development Institute plants and cultivates the seeds for thriving communities and organizations.

Compensation:
Minimum Posted Salary

The minimum annual (12 months) starting salary for the position is $57,867 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications

Benefits

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 (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/)

Additional Compensation Details

The position is 80% FTE but potentially could become 100% based on funding availability. Depending on the starting FTE, the salary for this position may be pro-rated. For example, at 80% FTE, the person hired can expect to receive 80% of the advertised salary.

Required Qualifications:

  • Relevant experience (professional, life, volunteer) in areas related to the programmatic responsibilities of the position.

  • Demonstrated experience developing effective partnerships or coalitions with community partners and local governments.

  • Demonstrated ability to use problem-solving skills to successfully address complex issues.

  • Experience managing multiple tasks, timelines, and schedules while maintaining high-quality work.

  • Ability to carry or move up to 25 lbs. of educational equipment.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated skills in developing, implementing, and evaluating direct education programs and policy, systems, and environmental change interventions.

  • Experience facilitating and guiding people from different backgrounds towards a common goal.

  • Demonstrated skills in interpreting, utilizing, and applying evidence-based information and research findings.

  • Demonstrated relevant content knowledge of community development, leadership development, or related field.


Education:
Required Education

Bachelor's Degree in a field relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position

Preferred Education

Master's Degree in a field relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position

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)

  • Writing Sample


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.

An Extension County Educator often writes articles on current topics impacting their community. Articles are submitted to news outlets, posted to social media sites, and shared on Extension websites. In addition to your resume and cover letter, please submit a writing sample (approximately 500-1,200 words). Your writing should utilize research-based information to address an issue or topic you believe local community organizations face today. The application reviewers will be relying on the above listed, 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 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.

Contact Information:

Pat Wagner

pat.wagner@wisc.edu

(608) 516-5540

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.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

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, click here.

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.

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