Position Summary:

This full-time position will serve as Program Manager of the Standards Oversight Council (SOC), an interagency group composed of representatives from USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP); Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension; Wisconsin Department of Transportation; and Wisconsin Land + Water Conservation Association (WI Land+Water). Unique to Wisconsin, this position will facilitate the development and revision of technical standards for Wisconsin’s soil and water conservation practices by coordinating activities with the state agency custodians of the technical standards, managing and supporting the activities of the work teams, supporting the leadership of the Council members, and conducting outreach and communications activities. This grant-funded position will receive direction from the standard custodians, and will be employed by WI Land+Water (located in Madison) whose Executive Director will provide direct supervision.

Position Responsibilities and Related Activities:

Facilitation and coordination of activities related to the development and revision of practice standards. (65%)

• Coordinate the development and revision of agricultural and urban technical standards with NRCS, DATCP and DNR, the custodians of these standards.
• Manage standard work team formation, communications, process, and evaluation.
• Coordinate logistics of work team meetings (e.g., develop agenda, reserve rooms, arrange for snacks/lunch, distribute materials, manage hybrid or remote participation) and provide support services such as taking meeting minutes and editing technical standard drafts.
• Facilitate team meetings to ensure appropriate participation by members and timely completion of products.
• Administer both expert and public review processes for select draft standards.
• Monitor the performance and progress of work teams and provide necessary feedback and leadership to ensure timely completion of work.
• Assist with the compilation of background materials, conduct literature reviews, and support development and publication of technical reference materials.

Oversight of outreach, promotional, research, and training events and communication (15%)

• Maintain the SOC Program website https://socwisconsin.org/, and the SOC Urban and Ag standards listservs. Coordinate improvements as necessary.
• Send prompt notification of practice standard announcements (e.g., newly published standards, formation of teams) to listserv, select standard-specific audiences, and post on SOC website.
• Support standard-related research and training as appropriate.
• Represent the Council at assigned statewide functions, building relationships with partners. Deliver SOC Program presentations at appropriate conferences, meetings, or events.
• Provide updates regarding SOC Program activities to WI Land+Water membership and conservation partners through communication outlets, such as membership newsletters and participation in the WI Land+Water Technical Committee.
• Develop reports (e.g., Annual Report) and promotional materials (e.g., brochures, photos, videos).

Support SOC Program administration and the activities of the Council (10%)

• Manage quarterly Council meetings, including logistics (e.g., rooms, AV), agenda development, meeting material distribution, meeting facilitation, and meeting minutes.
• Provide progress reports on work team activities and, as needed, recommend strategies to address team performance problems.
• Serve as primary editor of the SOC Program Technical Standards Process Handbook. As needed, solicit input from council members on specific wording or policy references. Ensure adherence to and completion of all adopted SOC Program policies and procedures.
• Serve as primary editor of the SOC Program Work Plan. Update status of work teams and upcoming standard work to website as needed.
• Manage annual SOC Program budget. Assist the Executive Director with development of annual draft budget for Council consideration and WI Land+Water Board approval.

Lead program management, evaluation and implementation of Council-approved program improvements (5%)

• Lead strategic thinking and evaluation of process and organizational improvements to identify successes and areas of improvement.
• Gather input from statewide technical experts to assess needs for WI practice standard development and revision. Provide recommendations to address SOC Program needs and identify areas of improvement.
• Develop funding requests and maintain communication with funders. Review quarterly financials, allocate quarterly expenses to grant budgets, and develop required reports for each funder. Submit timely quarterly reports and reimbursement requests.

Perform other duties as directed by the Executive Director (5%)

• In coordination with WI Land+Water colleagues, administratively support the WI Land-Water Annual Conference and County Conservation Meeting, as directed.
• In coordination with WI Land+Water colleagues, contribute to WI Land+Water communications products: newsletter, annual report, social media, and staff program reports to Board of Directors.
• As directed by the Executive Director, represent WI Land+Water on committees or workgroups that may impact land and water resource policy or county programs.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive knowledge of organizational techniques and work team facilitation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of governmental, academic, nonprofit partners, and the public.
• Knowledge of program development and evaluation techniques.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Editing and publishing technical document skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of and experience with the principles, methods, and practices related to soil and water conservation and nonpoint source pollution control
• Knowledge of technical standards and guidance.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to maintain web-based content management systems.

Duration

All WI Land+Water positions are dependent on funding and performance. This position is currently funded on a year-to-year basis, with the expectation of continuity beyond that. However, this position, like all positions at WI Land+Water, is at-will, and either WI Land+Water or the employee may discontinue the employment relationship at any time.

Special Requirements

• Periodic in-state travel
• Valid driver’s license
• Stable internet connection allowing for remote work

Working Environment

Work is performed out of WI Land+Water’s Madison, Wisconsin office, with some flexibility for working remotely. Unusual physical demands are not required in this position. Some office duties may require light lifting of 25 lbs. or less.

Considerable work will be done independently, but the position is housed within WI Land+Water and is a fully integrated staff position of the organization. Accordingly, the position will interact with WI Land+Water colleagues to share information and collaborate on communications and outreach, planning, training, events, and member support.

Independently, the position will work with other stakeholders: weekly with members of standard work teams to support meetings and monitor progress; monthly with other standard users monthly to distribute standards, solicit feedback and to promote participation in the process; and quarterly with the SOC Council to provide progress reports and to receive performance direction and feedback. The position will also work with other groups and individuals involved in standards development, as needed, to share information and explore new resources.

Welcoming Workplace

WI Land+Water values a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. We encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. 

View Position Description on Website
https://wisconsinlandwater.org/assets/article/SOC-Program-Manager-Position-Description.pdf