Jobs

The Broadband Partnership Specialist will be part of a talented team of specialists and educators focused on outreach and educational programming development and delivery in broadband and community economic development. With over 50 years of working with Wisconsin communities, the Community Economic Development (CED) program engages stakeholders in building the capacity of our partners and performing outreach and research to identify best practices and discover new or emerging community economic development strategies.

The Broadband Partnership Specialist will lead efforts to help communities understand how to facilitate and collaborate with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to bridge the digital divide and ensure equitable broadband access across Wisconsin. This position will also provide outreach and educational support to communities helping them better understand the roles, responsibilities, and rights to increase broadband infrastructure deployment. Specific responsibilities include:

- Educating community leaders and stakeholders on regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures related to broadband deployment and compliance.
- Creating and delivering educational materials and workshops to inform communities about the roles, responsibilities, and processes involved in working with ISPs.
- Developing strategies to engage with broadband service providers effectively, fostering open communication channels and constructive relationships with ISPs.
- Providing educational materials and outreach support related to the policies that promote fair competition, affordable broadband access, and equitable deployment in underserved areas.
- Developing and distributing educational materials that raise awareness about different internet service delivery methods, such as Internet Service Providers, Community Area Networks, and Cooperatives.
- Facilitating discussions between communities and ISPs to understand specific broadband needs and negotiate customized solutions that meet community needs and wants.
- Identifying potential public and private partners that can contribute resources, expertise, or funding to support broadband initiatives.
- Providing training to community members and local leaders on effective communication, negotiation, and partnership building with ISPs.
- Staying informed about relevant broadband policies, regulations, and funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal levels.

• 20% Identifies, promotes, and maintains external partnerships to support the outreach program
• 10% Schedules and secures resources and communicates logistics in support of an outreach program
• 40% Delivers outreach program content and materials to community members
• 20% Researches, develops, and facilitates outreach program content and materials
• 5% Develops and evaluates curriculum and programs and provides recommendations for improvement
• 5% Leads the implementation of programs, policies, and procedures through oversight of day-to-day activities for program staff and student and community volunteers

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

Required
Bachelor's Degree
in public administration, business administration, telecommunications, community development, economic development, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Preferred
Master's Degree is desirable

Required:
- Experience in project management, community engagement, or partnership development, preferably in the telecommunications or technology sector.
- Strong understanding of broadband technologies, service models, and the broadband industry landscape.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate and mediate complex partnerships with multiple parties.
- Ability to foster and contribute to a positive work climate and effective teamwork and collaboration with colleagues, advisory groups, audiences, and partners.

Preferred:
- Familiarity with broadband policy and regulatory frameworks is a plus.
- Passion for promoting digital equity and bridging the digital divide in underserved communities.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills to build collaborative partnerships and advocate for funding support.
- Three or more years of professional experience relevant to the programmatic responsibilities of the position.
- Management of small and large teams toward effective project and program completion.
- Experience organizing professional workshops and events.

Full Time: 100%

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

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $65,000 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 (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/).

These three positions will work together. Feel free to apply to any that interest you or that you feel match your skillset.
- 286743 - Broadband Community Planning Specialist: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/broadband-community-planning-specialist-madison-wisconsin-united-states
- 286747 - Broadband Partnership Specialist
- 286748 - Broadband Resources Procurement Specialist: https://jobs.wisc.edu/jobs/broadband-resources-procurement-specialist-madison-wisconsin-united-states

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.

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.

Brandon Hofstedt
brandon.hofstedt@wisc.edu
715-928-0888
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Outreach Specialist(OE009)

A47-EXTENSION/ANRCD/COMM/CED/COMM EC DEV

Academic Staff-Renewable

286747-AS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.