Horticulture Outreach Program Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW:
The Horticulture Outreach Program Manager provides statewide leadership in developing and coordinating the Horticulture Extension Program and is responsible for educational and programmatic leadership of the program. The Horticulture Extension Program is one of several Extension Programs within the UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agriculture Institute. This position plans, implements, and evaluates research and educational programs related to horticulture, agronomy/plant sciences, community food systems and other horticultural topics. Relevant subject matter could include consumer horticulture, commercial horticulture, community food systems, and food safety.

The Horticulture Outreach Program Manager reports directly to the Agriculture Institute Director for management and supervision, hiring and employment authority, employment changes, compensation and benefits, supplies and expense budget, development of their plan of work, and performance reviews.

PRIMARY DUTIES:
Programming Leadership & Coordination

• Provide statewide leadership for Extension horticulture applied research and education
• Conduct relevant horticulture programming that is consistent with Extension programmatic goals and objectives
• Plan and implement appropriate impact evaluations and reports to document program effectiveness
• Cooperate with other Extension personnel to develop strong, integrated Extension programs
• Coordinate, review and assist with developing Plans of Work for all programming personnel administratively connected to the Horticulture Extension Program
• Assist the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection with implementation of Wisconsin’s cooperative agreement with the Food and Drug Administration to support compliance with the FDA Regulation “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption”. This project involves developing the following: (1) a statewide system for training and education; (2) a statewide technical support system; (3) promotion of accountability through monitoring and evaluation systems; and (4) a sustainability plan for produce safety infrastructure in Wisconsin.

Partnership Management

• Liaise between other Extension Program Managers, Institute Directors, and Associate Deans to manage shared resources
• Coordinate programming efforts with program affiliates housed at other campuses in order to fulfill annual programming plans
• Represent Cooperative Extension and provide educational leadership to program-related agencies and educational institutions
• Maintain and expand partnerships with public and private partners and stakeholders working on horticulture topics

Revenue Generation

• Maintain existing revenue streams that currently support programs under the scope of the Horticulture Extension Program Area
• Develop new and unique revenue opportunities that align with the programmatic and disciplinary focus of the Horticulture Extension Program Area

Personnel Management

• Provide oversight and strategic programmatic guidance to staff connected to the Horticulture Extension Program
• Recruit, interview and manage any personnel directly reporting to the Horticultural Outreach Program Manager

Budget Management

• Develop, manage and allocate budgets for the Horticulture Extension Program Area
• Communicate with the Agriculture Institute Director to develop and implement diversified funding opportunities

Diversity & Inclusion

• Create and support a diverse and inclusive workforce and ensure compliance with civil rights requirements
• Identify needs and develop plans that address the needs of diverse and underserved audiences appropriate for the Extension Program’s focus and encourage/support outreach efforts for these audiences

REQUIRED Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a field that relates to the responsibilities of this position such as horticulture, plant sciences, agronomy, botany, agricultural education, or related fields (soils, entomology, plant pathology)
• Current content knowledge and at least 3 years of professional experience in relevant area of disciplinary focus such as horticulture, plant sciences, agronomy, agricultural education, community food systems, or related fields (soils, entomology, plant pathology)
• Experience managing budgets
• Successful experience obtaining funding through grants, contracts, gifts, and/or revenue generation
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Established track-record of building partnerships with diverse groups
• Demonstrated educational program development skills including planning and implementing programs, evaluation, and communicating program impact and value to stakeholders
• Knowledge and skills to effectively interact with people from different cultural backgrounds including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, disability, sexual orientation and other aspects of human diversity

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years or more of supervisory experience
• More than 3 years of professional experience in a relevant area of disciplinary focus such as horticulture, plant sciences, agronomy, agricultural education, community food systems, or related fields (soils, entomology, plant pathology)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Expected to make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions
• Work evenings or weekends as needed to meet program needs

SALARY AND BENEFITS:
This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) academic staff position. Final salary is commensurate with experience and education. State of Wisconsin benefits including retirement, vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and other insurances. For a more detailed description of available benefits, please see https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:
This position is a fixed-term renewable academic staff appointment in the University of Wisconsin-Extension’s Division of Cooperative Extension. Reappointment to this position after the initial term is dependent upon performance and availability of funding.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants are required to apply online. UW-Extension will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Online application, with all required documents, must be received by September 7, 2018.

Required application materials:

1. A letter of application that addresses how your education and experience meet all of the required qualifications for the position
2. Professional resume that includes degree information
3. Transcripts
4. Names and contact information (e-mail address, phone number, and mailing address) of at least three references

For questions regarding this position, please contact Sara Walling at sara.walling@ces.uwex.edu. For technical questions or assistance, please contact UW Service Center at (888) 298-4159. For all other questions, please contact hrstaff@uwex.uwc.edu.

ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION:
UW-Cooperative Extension is the educational resource that helps the Wisconsin Idea become reality. Valuing leadership, relationship-building, and inclusion; UW-Cooperative Extension teaches, learns, leads, and serves the people of Wisconsin by connecting them with the University of Wisconsin research and resources. Located in all 72 counties of Wisconsin, UW-Cooperative Extension engages with communities to influence their lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

SPECIAL NOTES:
As an affirmative action employer, UW-Extension provides equal opportunity in programs and employment and is strongly committed to maintaining an organizational climate that supports and respects differences and equality of opportunity. UW-Extension does not discriminate on the basis of age; race; creed; color; disability; sex/gender; sexual orientation; national origin; ancestry; religion; marital status; identity as a veteran, disabled veteran, Vietnam veteran or any other military service; arrest record or non-program related conviction record. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Materials will be made available in alternative format upon request. Please call 711 if you are hearing or speech impaired and need assistance. Direct inquiries concerning equal opportunity to: University of Wisconsin-Extension Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Room 201; 432 N. Lake Street; Madison, WI 53706. oedi@uwex.uwc.edu (email); 608.890.0259 (fax).

An offer of employment is contingent upon the following: 1) the establishment of identity and verification of employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, 2) if required, submission of an official transcript upon hire, and 3) a criminal background check prior to employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, convictions and pending charges will be considered only as they relate to this position.