Milwaukee County Extension Director

~ Through hundreds of initiatives, statewide and beyond, UW-Extension works with the people of Wisconsin solve their most pressing issues and uncover their most promising opportunities. But what does that mean exactly? What does UW-Extension actually do? ~

While the list is long, we do things like make it easier for working people to earn their degree so they can stay marketable in their fields. We educate parents as they navigate the new digital age with their children. We share best practices and facilitate networking to burgeoning entrepreneurs. And we help families plan for a secure financial future. Wisconsin Public Television? That’s us. Training future leaders to tackle large-scale community problems through civil discourse? Us too. Ever participated in 4-H? Also UW-Extension.

And that’s just the beginning. In short, while you may not know too much about UW-Extension, odds are you’ve partnered with us or tapped into some of the programs, research and resources we offer, every single day. We invite you to get to know more about us, our mission and our impact.

Position Overview

As a 100% FTE, the Milwaukee County Extension Director will lead and work in partnership with local governments and other organizations to build new programmatic and funding partnerships (e.g. incorporating a collective impact approach).  The Extension Director will require great cultural competency to work with diverse staff and clientele and have the political savvy required to work with an urban-county and multiple municipalities within the county to identify and assess new opportunities in programming, funding, and staffing.

The Extension Director provides leadership, direction, and support for Cooperative Extension educational programming by building a high performing office team of Extension educators and county support staff, and fosters an environment that is inclusive, trusting, respectful, and collegial.  The Extension Director is responsible for managing the resources for Cooperative Extension in Milwaukee County by overseeing the Cooperative Extension county budget and budget allocations.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean, the Milwaukee County Extension Director will work with county governments, tribal nations, municipalities, and partner organizations to ensure that the educational needs of local communities are met.

The Extension Director serves as the direct supervisor for programmatic Cooperative Extension staff, and provides leadership in staff development and partnerships.  The Extension Director ensures compliance with affirmative action, equal employment opportunity and civil rights laws, regulations and policies while carrying out the primary duties.

Type of Appointment:  

This position is a full time, limited appointment in the University of Wisconsin-Extensions division of Cooperative Extension.  This appointment is a limited appointment within the meaning of Section 36.17 Wisconsin Statutes, the Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter UWS 15, and the derived policies of the University of Wisconsin System and UW-Extension.  This position serves at the pleasure of the Dean.  Termination from a limited appointment is not considered a dismissal and is not subject to appeal.

Responsibilities

Long Range Goals of this position:

• Lead and coordinate a high performing local Extension team, fostering an environment that is inclusive, trusting, respectful, and collegial
• Identify and understand the local educational priorities and coordinate educational programs to address those needs.  Will also identify gaps in programmatic coverage and partner with other organizations to complement and collaborate as necessary
• Recognize the complexities of Milwaukee County and understand how those complexities impact needs and delivery of Extension programming.  This includes professional development, prioritization of programs, delivery methods and costs and relevance to the county
• Communicate the advantages and assets of urban environments and Milwaukee to internal and external stakeholders
• Develop a plan of work incorporating input from advisory groups, stakeholders, chambers of commerce, food policy councils, etc.  and utilize up-to-date practices including leadership skills, research, conflict resolution, proper planning tools, strategies and programmatic delivery to meet Milwaukee’s needs
• Work with Milwaukee County government, elected officials, municipal government and the university for budgeting and fiscal planning
• Seek new partnerships with foundations, corporations, relevant government personnel, and other sources to develop new and existing funding streams and new advocates
• Gather, analyze, and report metrics and results of Extension Programs in their urban environment and report critical results to different audiences

Primary Duties/Essential Job Functions:

Program Coordination:

• Provide overarching leadership, direction, and guidance to programs offered within Milwaukee County while ensuring the educational needs of the local communities are met
• Identify issues of critical importance to the community; create opportunities for increased engagement between Extension and the community; and acquire resources to develop and deliver relevant programs and learner services that address critical issues
• Oversee and direct the preparation of annual work plans and reports of activities and accomplishments for the public, county government, and UW-Extension administration
• Negotiate and implement annual county extension contracts and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UW Extension’s programmatic objectives and Milwaukee County
• Enhance the visibility of Extension programs and impacts though statewide public relations and communication strategies
• Coordinate with regional and statewide staff who deliver programming within and across the geographic area
• Share input on performance and activities for regional and statewide Extension Specialists and/or Outreach Programmers who program within the geographic area and who aren’t directly supervised by the Extension Director
• Engage with program leadership to coordinate regional and statewide programming activities to achieve local programming goals as necessary

Staff Development:

• Supervise, coach, and lead Cooperative Extension staff and county support staff, including annual performance reviews and professional development activities
• Develop and coordinate high performing local Extension teams, fostering an environment that is inclusive, trusting, respectful, and collegial
• Recruit, orient, and retain diverse faculty and staff. Promote a diverse & inclusive environment within the local office teams through hiring practices and promotion of an inclusive work environment. Support and encourage professional improvement of faculty and staff. 
• Manage recruitments and hiring processes for new positions in Milwaukee County
• Proactively manage, and resolve workplace disputes amongst Cooperative Extension staff, county staff, and partners

Financial Management:

• Develop and manage budgets for Cooperative Extension’s Milwaukee County Extension office, including salary, fringe, travel, and professional development expenses
• Develop, steward, and manage contracts and agreements established between Cooperative Extension and its partners.  Lead strategic efforts to diversify funding to support existing programs and to build the capacity to address emerging opportunities; strategies may include grants and contracts, cost-recovery practices, gifts and contributions, and other county-based revenue alternatives

Partnership Management:

• Develop and manage the relationships with partner organizations, such as county governments, tribes, municipalities, third-parties, other governmental agencies.   Act as the administrative contact for those partners
• Build partnerships with the University of Milwaukee as an Urban Serving University and grow programming initiatives with private universities in the County to support community engagement
• Network and build relationships to identify potential employees, programming, and funding partners
• Ensure the county is aware of their return on investment and understands the value of Extension programs

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree with 3 or more years of supervisory and/or management experience
• Demonstrated supervisory and/or management abilities
• Significant experience in coordinating, developing, or delivering community-based educational programs
• Demonstrated experience resolving conflicts and disputes
• Knowledge of budget management for a business, non-profit or governmental organization
• Demonstrated success collaborating with partner organizations (e.g., government bodies, non-profits, corporate entities, municipalities and tribal nations)
• Demonstrated ability to communicate, direct, and lead effectively orally, in writing, and through virtual communication technology (e.g. collaboration platforms, video conferencing, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience working 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:

• 5 or more years of supervisory and/or management experience
• Experience managing a budget for a business, non-profit, or government organization
• Experience with and/or knowledge of county governments
• Experience generating additional revenue from new or existing sources of funding
• Experience with grant writing
• Experience developing new and dynamic educational programs
• Experience building strategic relationships and/or partnerships
• Ability to speak, write and comprehend Spanish
• Knowledge of the legacy of Cooperative Extension, as part of the U.S. system of land-grant institutions, dedicated to service in the public good

Working Conditions:

• Ability to travel locally and statewide to meet position responsibilities
• Ability to manage a flexible work schedule including occasional evening and weekends

Compensation: State of Wisconsin benefits (https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/), including retirement, vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and other insurances.  The target salary for this position will be $80,000 annually with room for negotiation based on qualifications and experience.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below. 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 June 24, 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. A list of references to include names, contact information, and organizational affiliation

For questions regarding this position, please contact Matt Hanson.  For technical questions or assistance, please contact UW Service Center at (888) 298-4159. For all other questions please contact human resources.

~ As an affirmative action employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunity in programs and employment; and is strongly committed to maintaining a climate supportive of respect for differences and equality of opportunity. University of Wisconsin-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.