Job of The Week: Accounting Clerk

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Accounting Clerk for the College of Education in the Department of Teacher Education (job posting 994967). If you are interested in supporting the Fiscal Office and a College with five education programs ranked number one in U.S. News and World Report, this may be the position for you! 

The MSU College of Education’s mission is planted in Leadership, Scholarship and Service. They strive to develop and implement excellence in the community, and strive to sustain the college as a scholarly space for the community, staff, and students. Focusing heavily on information education reform and policy in schools all around, the College of Education is constantly pushing to better the preparation of educators. 

In this position, you will initiate payments to outside vendors and students via disbursement vouchers, fellowships, and other items needed for transactions. You will also support faculty, graduate students and their associates by coordinating and managing all travel requests and expense reports. In this role, you would maintain monthly procurement card transactions and manage account files, keeping track of their most relevant information. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a high school education, and one to three years of progressively more expansive work in accounting, bookkeeping, and database software. You will also be expected to attend necessary courses to maintain certifications and enhance the work environment while in this role. You should also have excellent communication, customer service, and multi-tasking skills, and be knowledgeable in software such as Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and more. 

Learn more about the College of Education here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications should be submitted by October 22nd!

Happy World Mental Health Day!

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October 10th is World Mental Health Day! While mental health is one of the foundations of health and well-being, it can often fall low on the list of priorities in the work setting. The World Health Organization has established this year’s theme of “It Is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace” to promote mental health awareness at work.  

Good mental health is vital to our overall well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people. 

Work should never get in the way of maintaining good mental health, however, a busy schedule may make resources appear inaccessible. In honor of World Mental Health Day, here are some resources you can use at MSU and in your personal life. 

MSU Resources: 

Teladoc: MSU faculty and staff and their dependents currently enrolled in an MSU health plan have access to Teladoc – an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a healthcare professional via web, phone, or mobile app in minutes. Teladoc’s services extend to behavioral health (anxiety, depression, grief counseling, etc.). 

University Health and Wellbeing: MSU employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program which provides confidential counseling at no cost. To best fit your work schedule, MSU offers both Zoom and in-person appointments.  

Health4U: Health4U focuses on all aspects of health with resources, support groups and educational courses. They offer a variety of resources dealing with mindfulness, psychological flexibility and more.  

Local Resources: 

24-Hour Crisis Services (Walk-In and Mobile):  The City of East Lansing provides walk-in or mobile crisis counseling and mental health assistance around the clock. 

Online Mental Health Screening: Ingham County Health Department offers free and anonymous behavioral health screening, linking resources connected to your results. 

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Behavioral Health Services: Sparrow Hospital offers psychiatric and behavioral health services including holistic care in an external environment and art, music and yoga therapy.  

You matter, your mental health matters, so join us in celebrating the 75th annual World Mental Health Day by taking charge of your own mental health with these resources and more. MSU resources and benefits are available to get you—or keep you—on the path to a healthy body and healthy mind. Learn more about World Mental Health Day on the World Health Organization website.

Reminder: Enroll in, change, or cancel vision, legal, and critical illness insurance during October

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The MSU Benefits Open Enrollment period is here! As you review your benefit options for the 2025 plan year, please note that some voluntary benefits only allow you to enroll in, change, or cancel coverage during Open Enrollment in October. These include VSP vision insurance, ARAG legal insurance, and MetLife critical illness insurance.

If you’re interested in enrolling in these benefits, need to make changes (such as adding a dependent or switching to a different plan), or cancel your coverage for the 2025 plan year, you must do so in October. If you’re currently enrolled and do not make any changes, your enrollment will continue in 2025 with the exact same coverage.

How to Enroll in, Change, or Cancel Voluntary Benefits

You can enroll in, change, or cancel these benefits via the MSU Benefits Plus website.

  • First Time Users: Click the link to create an account. Enter your MSU email and pick a password to get started. You will need your MSU ZPID number (use a capital “Z”) located on your MSU Spartan ID Card or in the EBS Portal.
  • Existing Users: Enter your email and password and then click Log In.

How to View Current Participation

To view your current participation or deduction history, log in to the MSU Benefits Plus website, click on Benefits in the top navigation, and then Enrollments. Click on Deductions to view an itemized list of your voluntary benefit deductions. Please note the MSU Benefits Plus website only provides participation status on products you have enrolled in within the MSU Benefits Plus website, such as vision, legal, and critical illness insurance.

Learn More about Voluntary Benefits

Please review a brief description of vision, legal, and critical illness insurance below. For additional information on all voluntary benefits, please review the appropriate Open Enrollment guide: Support Staff Open Enrollment Guide or Faculty/Academic Staff Open Enrollment Guide.

  • VSP vision insurance can help with the cost of glasses and contact lenses for you and your family. VSP is the benefit provider, and they offer two plan options: the standard coverage plan or a premium coverage plan with an additional enhanced eyewear option of your choice. Visit the MSU Benefits Plus website to view a plan summary sheet with basic information about the two coverage options and rates.
  • MetLife critical illness insurance gives you extra cash in the event you or covered family members experience a covered illness. This money can be used to offset unexpected medical expenses or for any other use you wish. Simplified plan options are offered through MetLife with no evidence of insurability requirement. Visit the MSU Benefits Plus website to view a plan summary sheet with basic information about the plan coverage and rates.
  • ARAG legal insurance makes it affordable to get the legal help you need. Network attorney fees are 100% paid in full for most covered matters. Life is full of legal situations. Some you plan for, like creating a will, and others are more unexpected—like fighting a traffic ticket. Choose between two plans for coverage that best fit the needs of you and your family. UltimateAdvisor® covers most common legal issues. UltimateAdvisor Plus™ includes more robust coverage plus additional services. Visit the MSU Benefits Plus website to view a plan summary with basic information about the two coverage options and rates.

Questions? You can learn more about, enroll in, change, or cancel voluntary benefits on the MSU Benefits Plus website. Learn about all your benefits options on the HR website. If you have questions, consider joining an HR Site Lab. The HR Solutions Center is available for questions at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

Job of the Week: Residence Hall Director

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a pool posting for three open positions as a Residence Hall Director for the Division of Student Life and Engagement (job posting 991717). The Division of Student Life and Engagement seeks an experienced individual to provide supervision, leadership, management and more to a residence hall community. The Residence Hall Director is a live-in position and will be working under a Community Director, so if you are interested in this engaging job, this may be your role!

Student Life and Engagement strives to provide a world-class experience for students and guests, creating an immersive and connected campus experience. SLE prides itself on supporting and embracing the diversity and uniqueness of Spartans all around campus. 

In this position, you will supervise and train student staff, oversee student organization advising, individual student development and community development coordination. You will also work on residential curriculum efforts and administrative duties. This position is designated as critical status, meaning that during the events of a university closure or suspension of operation due to weather or other emergency conditions, you are expected to attempt to report to work as scheduled. This role has on-call duties, and if applicable, remote duties as well. 

The education, experience and skills desired for this role include a degree in a human resources-related field, such as student personnel or counseling, and one to three years of related or more extensive experience as a director in a residence hall or housing complex. 

Learn more about Student Life and Engagement here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications should be submitted by October 31st, and notice for re-appointment is provided May 15th of each calendar year.

October Events Round-Up

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October Events Round-Up

If you and your family are looking for upcoming events to celebrate the beginning of the fall season, you’ve come to the right place. October holds many event opportunities in the Greater Lansing area for you to check out. Click the links below to explore future events and register if required.

Campus Events

Benefits Open Enrollment – MSU Benefits Open Enrollment is October 1-31. Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your coverage options and ensure you have the benefits that are best for you and your family as you head into the new year. Learn more on the HR Website and plan to visit the Benefits Fair on October 3 or one of the several Site Labs available throughout October.

October 2 –  Drawing Marathon: From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., stop by this annual non-stop drawing event at the MSU Broad Art Museum with the MSU Department of Art, Art History, and Design. All skill levels and ages are welcome, and registration is encouraged for this free event. 

October 13th – Black Botany Weeds Tour: Join Angelica Bajos, Community and Sustainability Coordinator of the MSU Beal Botanical Garden for a deep-dive into the botanical exhibit, Complex Dreams. From 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., learn what weeds can tell us about our perspective on the values of plants and people as a part of the deep-rooted collaboration where art and plants intertwine. Learn more and be sure to register for this free event.

October 14th – 19th – MSU Homecoming: MSU will celebrate Homecoming 2024 with many activities for students, staff, alumni and friends of the university. This year’s theme is “Welcome Home, Spartans” to recognize that no matter where you come from, you have a home within the Spartan Community. The Homecoming parade is October 18th at 6:00 p.m., and the football game at Spartan Stadium against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes is Saturday October 19th. Single-game tickets are available for purchase on the MSU Athletics Website. There are also volunteer opportunities for those 18 and older, so be sure to register by October 3rd if you are interested in volunteering or looking to be in the parade!  

Learning Opportunities

October 15th – Cultural Competency: MSU prides itself on leading inclusivity and promoting full participation and a sense of belonging for all employees and staff. Join us in building cultural awareness and inclusivity skills that will last a lifetime, and learn about intent vs. impact, how to de-escalate tension, and identify self-awareness in the workplace. Enroll through EBS and join us from 1:00 pm. to 3:30 p.m. at the in-person class in the MSU HR building… 

October 3rd, 17th, & 31st – Implicit Bias Certificate Series: This Implicit Bias Series allows participants to examine the different factors of implicit bias through a series of models. Module one will go over identity, and discuss how we view the world. Module two will cover microaggressions, implicit bias, explicit bias and how we can address bias. Module three addresses systemic race in the U.S. context, and modules four and five discuss inclusive environments and taking action. Register for this three part course through EBS. 

Family – Friendly Events

October 5th – Family Day: FLY: The first Saturday of the month means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum, and this month we are inviting you to make creative connections with our exhibits through a hands-on experience with interactive family fun. Explore Complex Dreams, an exhibit that places the experience of young Black girlhood center stage while forwarding a refreshing and resilient view of the power of Black women today. Registration for this free event is highly encouraged. 

October 6th – Totally Rad Vintage Festival: Join us at the Lansing Center from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to enter a time warp into the 80s, 90s and 2000s through vintage clothes. There will be vendors selling clothes, records, home goods, and more, and is open to all ages. There will be a free-play vintage arcade set up, Rad Relic Museum, nostalgic photo ops to fully immerse yourself into the recreated scenes of the 80s and 90s. Kids under 12 enter free, and you can visit our website for tickets and more information. 

October 25th – Trick or Treat on the Square: Save the date for Downtown Lansing’s annual Trick or Treat on the Square Event on Friday, October 25th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Local businesses will be passing out sweets, hosting fun games, and you will have the chance to get creative with Halloween crafts and activities. Be sure to dress up in your best costume and bring your candy bag!

October 1-31st – Michigan’s 4-H Children’s Garden Undersea Exhibit: If you are looking for something fun to do with your family, you should stop by the 4-H Children’s Garden to experience the Undersea Exhibit brought on by MSU AgeAlive! The gardens are open sunup to sundown until October 31st with free admission. Take a look at our website for more information on the 4-H Gardens and the exhibit. 

Farmers Markets Farmer’s markets are beloved events in many local communities allowing us an opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses and enjoy delicious produce, baked goods, and even homemade crafts and personal care items. Many Greater Lansing communities offer seasonal farmer’s markets. Find one near you at https://mifma.org/find-a-farmers-market/

Job of The Week: Assistant Director of Annual Giving

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Assistant Director of Annual Giving for University Advancement (job posting 992411). University Advancement is seeking an experienced assistant director, so if you are interested in fundraising for the Cultural Arts including the Beal Botanical Gardens, MSU Broad Art Museum, and the MSU Museum, this may be the role for you! 

University Advancement looks to the future with optimism and a growth mindset, and their mission is to advance the Spartan impact. By securing support through talent, service, gifts, advocacy and more, University Advancement’s main goal is to create long-lasting connections with the Spartan community, building a better tomorrow for MSU. 

In this position, you would report to the Senior Director of Development and work actively with University Advancement’s Annual Giving Team and Cultural Arts Unit to collaborate on the best strategies. You will maintain and develop annual giving membership plans that ensures a positive donor experience while supporting year-over-year fundraising growth. Some tasks include overseeing event follow-up to promote giving, creating digital and print annual giving campaigns to encourage new donors, and implementing member renewal processes. You will work in partnership with the UA events team to create special fundraising events, leverage existing campus-wide events to encourage donors, and oversee donor recognition events and gifts. 

The education, experience and skills desired for this role include a degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing/Business, and one to three years of previous experience in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, or a related field. You should have great organizational and customer service skills, a valid driver’s license, and the ability to work effectively in a complex higher education system. This role also may require some in and out-of-state travel, as well as some evenings and weekend requirements throughout the year. 

Learn more about University Advancement here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by October 24th. 

September is Self-Improvement Month

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September is Self-Improvement Month! Self-improvement can be related to many things, like learning something new, maximizing strength or focusing on your physical or emotional wellbeing. Celebrate this month and the months ahead by taking time for yourself, growing and using these MSU resources to help get you started.

Ready, Set, Change!

Take advantage of this personal development course on Thursday, October 10th. Learn from Amazon best-selling author of Ready, Set, Change! on how to streamline the changing process. For more information, visit the HR Website here. 

Take a Walk Around MSU

Explore our beautiful campus or take a stroll through the East Lansing area. Walking is great exercise, but it can also improve your mental and emotional well-being. Take in the fall scenery and relax on campus.

Finding Peace in a Chaotic World 

Feeling worried, stressed, or anxious? Learn strategies to help navigate our increasingly complex world and how you can change your own perspective. For more information, visit MSU Human Resources.

Strengths Based Leadership

Looking to maximize your strengths and become a stronger leader? Understand manager-specific strengths using the newly released CliftonStrengths for Managers Report in this in-person course. Join us November 7th from 8:30 a.m. to noon to learn new ways to improve your time management skills and achieve your goals. For more information, check out the Strengths-Based Leadership course.

Desk Decompress

Join us every Thursday from September 12th through December 12th and take a few minutes to decompress while stretching and strengthening your neck, spine, wrists and shoulders all at your own desk! These virtual classes focused on gentle upper body movements can help counter the effects of sitting at a desk, and you don’t even have to leave your seat! For more information or to register, visit University Health and Wellbeing.

Virtual Chair Yoga

While yoga may just seem like a form of exercise, it can also be a huge stress reliever, a way to improve focus and concentration, and can reduce your anxiety. MSU offers free, virtual chair yoga for faculty and staff. These 30-minute sessions are every Tuesday from September 10th to December 10th, and all you need is a chair. For more information or to register for a class, visit University Health and Wellbeing.

WorkLife Wellbeing: Caring for the Caregiver

This webinar highlights the various ways informal caregiving affects mental and physical health, and allows you to learn the importance of self-care and some strategies to improve your overall well being. In order to improve your work performance, it is crucial to focus first on your personal wellbeing. Join us November 12th to take the first steps towards you and your team’s WorkLife Wellbeing. To register or for more information, visit the Webinar Registration page.

Share your favorite self-improvement tips and comment below!

Job of The Week: Greenhouse Coordinator

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Greenhouse Coordinator for MSU AgBioResearch (job posting 985817). MSU AgBioResearch is seeking an experienced professional to play a huge role in the Plant Science Research Greenhouse at Michigan State University. If you are interested in overseeing the care and maintenance of greenhouse facilities, this may be the role for you!

MSU AgBioResearch engages in innovative and leading-edge research that generates economic prosperity, sustains natural resources, and enhances the quality of life not only in Michigan, but around the world. With approximately 300 researchers from 6 colleges across MSU, AgBioResearch prioritizes food safety and security, climate adaptation, water conservation, resilient and profitable agriculture and natural resource systems, and more. 

Michigan State University greenhouses are home to over 100,000 square feet of research space and serve over 70 faculty across eight different academic departments at MSU. In this role, you would oversee all maintenance at the greenhouses and advise researchers on the use of greenhouse facilities and plant care. The MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension work together to make discoveries in the area of genomics, breeding, pest management, and disease management, as well as reaching out to growers to learn about the most recent findings. This would be another part to oversee in your role of Greenhouse Coordinator. 

The education, experience and skills desired for this role include a four-year degree in horticulture and up to three years of similar or more advanced work in greenhouses and supervising. This role may also require certification as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator before the end of the applicable trial.

Learn more about MSU AgBioResearch here. To learn more about the position or if you are interested in applying online, visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information! Applications require a resume, cover letter, three professional references and should be submitted by October 1st. 

Job of the Week: Social Worker

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Social Worker for MSU’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) with University Health and Wellbeing (job posting 988182). CAPS is seeking a full-time outpatient therapist to provide evidence-based, short-term therapeutic interventions to students. You will play a large role in supporting students in groups and one-on-one therapy sessions. 

The mission of Michigan State University’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services is to connect students with the most available and appropriate care and services to optimize their health and wellbeing. CAPS works under University Health and Wellbeing, whose purpose is to support the MSU community with health and wellbeing equitably woven throughout all aspects of staff and student campus life. CAPS and University Health and Wellbeing are working together to improve the overall health of our campus, staff, and students.

In this position, you will provide crisis response services, participate in CAPS training, facilitate group therapy, and serve students experiencing significant psychopathology. You will provide multiculturally responsive and evidence-based individual and group services, as well as single-session crisis intervention to students in need on campus. 

The education, experience and skills desired for this role include a degree in Social Work and one to three years of related work experience in a counseling/mental health environment. You will also need a State certification of Social Work, and ACSW may be required to provide primary supervision of social work to students. You should also have experience in an interdisciplinary setting with a diverse college student population from various multicultural backgrounds.

Learn more about MSU CAPS here and about University Health and Wellbeing here. To learn more about the position or if you are interested in applying online, visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information! Applications require a resume, letter of interest, a proof of licensure, and are due by September 24th.