On-Farm Research Program Manager

Job Summary: 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. The Agriculture Institute is one of six Institutes in the Division.
About the Agriculture Institute's Crops and Soils Program:
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 Wisconsin crop producers and their agricultural consultants manage crops efficiently and profitably.
About this Position:
The On-farm Research Program Manager is an exciting, new position meant to develop and implement an on-farm research program within Extension's Crops and Soils Program. The Research Manager would work with Extension faculty and staff and the state's agricultural producers to understand the production-related challenges on Wisconsin farms in order to develop an on-farm research program that helps evaluate solutions to those challenges. The manager will additionally create channels for farmers to share their discoveries with their peers.
The Research Program Manager will:
-Collaborate with Extension faculty and staff to identify research priorities, develop protocols, build a network of on-farm collaborators and collect data that supports important decision-making for producers
-Develop and implement a plan for sharing data collected in the program with Extension colleagues and clientele
-Mentor, support and/or supervise educators and outreach specialists in the Crops and Soils Program that will be participating in on-farm trial implementation.
-Build trust-based relationships with stakeholders to support the research program development and implementation
The ideal candidate will have experience with developing and evaluating educational programming and a track record of building positive relationships.
Division of Extension headquarters are located within Madison, WI but the position location is flexible and will be determined based on programmatic needs, successful candidate's preferences, and availability of suitable space.
The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non-biased, and inclusive organization. () As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion.
Responsibilities: Plans and leads operational, outreach, and promotional activities of a research program and serves as a subject matter expert. 30% Plans and directs the day-to-day operational activities of one or multiple research programs or units according to established research objectives in alignment with strategic plans and initiatives 20% Assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of trainings and workshops for internal and external audiences to disseminate research program developments and information 20% Plans, develops, and implements processes and protocols to support research aims 5% Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees 10% Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert among internal and external stakeholder groups, collaborates across disciplines and functional areas, provides program information, and promotes the accomplishments and developments of scholars and research initiatives 5% Monitors program budget(s) and approves unit expenditures 10% Develops policies, procedures, and institutional agreements on behalf of the program 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
Education: Required
Master's Degree
Preferred
PhD
Qualifications: Required:
-Five or more years of relevant professional experience
-Demonstrated skills in designing and implementing research trials
-Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbal, through a variety of technologies
-Demonstrated ability to effectively work with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity
Preferred:
-Strong interpersonal relationship and problem-solving skills in a team setting
-Demonstrated experience with building diverse, collaborative partnerships
-Demonstrated ability to communicate scientific materials in written and verbal forms for a variety of lay and other audiences
-Demonstrated ability to write grants and establish partnerships that pool or leverage public and private funds in support of the Institutional mission
Work Type: Full Time: 100%
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.
Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable

Salary: Minimum $70,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on 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 ().

Additional Information: 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.

How to Apply: We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background.
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.

Contact: Heidi Johnson


Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title: Research Program Manager (B)(RE087)

Department(s): A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/AGR/CROPS/CROPS&SOIL

Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number: 297613-AS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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 through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding 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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About University of Wisconsin Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison has been a catalyst for the extraordinary since its founding in 1848. Our students, staff, and faculty partake in world-class education and conduct prolific research that solves real-world problems. Our guiding principle is the Wisconsin Idea, a commitment to outreach that creates a better future for our state, our nation, and the world. We value the contributions of each person and recognize that diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation.
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