Jobs of the Week: IT Purchasing Agent and Purchasing Agent

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This week we are featuring two postings from University Procurement and Logistics, an IT Purchasing Agent (700245) position and Purchasing Agent (700310) position. If you’d like to be considered for both positions, please note you will need to apply to each posting separately. Applications close April 27, 2021

IT Purchasing Agent Position (700245)

For the IT Purchasing Agent position, you will be a part of a team of buyers who are responsible for purchasing information technology, such as software, hardware, Saas and related commodities. Responsibilities include procuring complex commodities and services that require extensive knowledge and expertise; collaborating with university stakeholders and subject matter experts to ensure MSU gets the best value when spending public funds;  evaluating purchase requisitions; writing and soliciting proposals; determining suppliers to be solicited for information, proposals and quotations (RFIs, RFPs, RFQs); carrying out public bid openings to prepare and evaluate bid analyses and approve the selected vendor. 

You will be expected to frequently communicate, collaborate and interact with Purchasing Department management, campus clients, current/potential suppliers and be an active participant on campus committees. 

The ideal candidate will have the knowledge equivalent to that of completing a four-year university and/or degree program in supply chain management, business or communication with relevant courses in purchasing, materials management and inventory control, information technology or related field. Desired qualifications include three to five years of related or expansive work experience in purchasing products and services, an economic and accounting business methods, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Read the job posting for a full list of responsibilities and desired qualifications.

Purchasing Agent Position (700310)

For the Purchasing Agent position, you will be responsible for procuring complex commodities and services requiring extensive knowledge and expertise; collaborate with university stakeholders and subject matter experts; evaluate purchase requisitions; write and solicit proposals; formulate specifications for large-scale purchases and determine suppliers to be solicited for requires for information, proposals and quotations (RFIs, RFPs and RFQs). Other responsibilities include conducting big openings and preparing and evaluating bid analyses; managing supplier relationships and monitoring supplier performance for commodities and/or suppliers; negotiating prices, terms and conditions with suppliers and writing, approving, issuing and administering purchase orders for MSU.

This position also requires frequent communication, collaboration and interaction with Purchasing Department management, campus clients, current/potential suppliers and to be an active member on campus committees.

A successful candidate has the knowledge equivalent to that of a four-year university and/or degree program in supply chain management, business of communication with relevant courses in purchasing, materials management and inventory control or related fields. The ideal candidate has three to five years or related work experience purchasing products, an economic and accounting business methods, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to that. For detailed information on all the responsibilities and qualifications visit the job description. 

For more details on the responsibilities of these position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu. 

Female office worker talking to colleague via video chat on laptop while sitting at table with cup of coffee and analyzing diagram.

Leadership Blog Series: Addressing Unprofessional Behavior

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Written by Sharri Margraves, HR Associate Director for Organization and Professional Development

Unprofessionalism often masquerades as interpersonal conflict. Left unchecked, this disruptive behavior can destroy relationships, create a toxic environment, reduce productivity and increase errors. On a personal level, unprofessionalism can be career-limiting for the individual and demoralizing to the whole team if not handled well or left unresolved.

As a leader, when you have a challenge with an individual regarding unprofessional behavior, you must address it. The behavior you tolerate becomes the culture. Many times, the person is unaware of the effect of their behavior, and the issue can be resolved with a conversation. Often, though, the thought of confronting the person can induce fear. It can be hard to summon the courage to take the first step, and we often excuse the behavior or hope it will go away on its own — even when we know it likely will not.

People are counting on you. If you don’t address unprofessional behavior, you simply promote more of it. So, take a deep breath and lean into it. Use the following ideas to successfully navigate these conversations.

  • Envision success. Think about the benefits of resolving the issue.
  • Check your conflict style using the Conflict Management Styles Quiz.
  • Choose the right time.
  • Be calm. Keep your voice even.
  • Ask open-ended questions.
  • Write them down. Practice what you want to say.
  • Stick to the facts.
  • State your intended outcomes.
  • Be compassionate. What might be happening you don’t know about?

It can also be helpful to analyze the patterns of unprofessional behavior to determine your response. Consider the following scenarios.

Was it a single incidence?

Have an informal conversation as close to the situation as possible, in private. Ask open-ended questions and invite the individual to offer their version. Acknowledge it as an isolated incident and that you trust they are aware that unprofessionalism is detrimental to the team and their own career.

Is this a pattern?

Use data to help illustrate to the person what is happening. Your goal is to raise awareness and invite them to help solve the problem based on facts. State the pattern. When does the behavior arise? Are there discernible triggers? All of these can invite the employee to be reflective and cognizant of the issue. State the impact on the team, colleagues and you as the leader. Ask the employee for their solutions. Follow-up with a letter acknowledging the conversation. This is not a disciplinary process or even a hint of further action — it is simply a way to capture what you talked about and the agreements going forward.

Does the behavior continue to persist?

Despite our best efforts, additional support and intervention are sometimes necessary. At this stage, you will be documenting the conversations and likely engaging with your dean, HR professional or Employee Relations for further guidance. Remember, the goal is to correct the behavior so that your organization can create an environment to achieve great things and not be distracted by the few.

It’s important to remember that if the individual also intimidates others by shouting, being disruptive, blocking their path, or touching another person, this heightens the seriousness of corrective action and must be dealt with immediately.

Channeling the positive energy of conflict that focuses on problem-solving can foster innovation, creativity and greater engagement. Utilize the ideas above to help build a culture of trust where issues can be raised and resolved and in which all members of a team are valuable to achieving success.

Sources

Adkins, R., 2006.  Elemental Truths blogspot. https://facultyombuds.ncsu.edu/files/2015/11/Conflict-management-styles-quiz.pdf

Hickson, Gerald, B., Pichert, James, W., Webb, L. E., Gabbe, S. (2007). A complementary approach to promoting professionalism: Identifying, measuring, and addressing unprofessional behaviors. Academic Medicine. November 2007. Volume 82. Issue 11. Ppg 1040-1048. https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/FullText/2007/11000/A_Complementary_Approach_to_Promoting.7.aspx

Tremper, K. K., How to manage disruptive colleagues. RCL Papers. Department of Anesthesiology,   University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. http://iars.org/wp-content/uploads/15_RCL_Papers_F.pdf#page=46

Job of the Week: Professional Aide

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This week’s job of the week posting is for a Professional Aide (Posting 699373)  performing phlebotomist or medical assistant duties for a research team doing home visits near Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is a temporary position paid per hour. 

You will be responsible for measuring study participants’ blood pressure, height and weight, drawing blood following venipuncture protocols, collecting other personal samples from participants, labeling samples and submitting accurate payroll time sheets. Other responsibilities include adhering to COVID safety protocols and maintaining professionalism by being punctual and polite. 

The ideal candidate is required to be an experienced phlebotomist and/or medical assistant, trained and experienced conducting veinous blood draws, has a high school diploma or equivalent and must be able to pass a criminal background check. Desired qualifications include completion of over 50 successful blood draws and experience with pediatric phlebotomy.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visits careers.msu.edu. 

Job of the Week: Camp/Conference Aide

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This week’s job of the week posting is for a Camp/Conference Aide (Posting 695385) for MSU Extension in Oakland County. MSU’s Tollgate Farm and Education Center is seeking staff with a background in one or more of the following areas: education, agricultural science, cooperative games, music, food science, entomology, forestry, gardening, fisheries and wildlife. 

As camp/conference aide, you will be responsible for performing various duties in support of summer camp and conferences such as responding to participant concerns, questions and emergencies, maintaining/monitoring campus rules, checking in and out of participants, and attending meetings. This position may involve overnight supervision of participants. This is a 12-week temporary or on-call position ranging from June 7 to August 27. 

The ideal candidate has experience working with children in formal and informal settings (school, summer camp, scouts and others) and works effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures. Desired qualifications include having a current CPR/First Aid certification OR willingness to participate in training before the first day of camp. Candidates should also possess knowledge of the natural world and work closely with wildlife and farm animals. Ideal candidates must be physically active for an eight-hour shift and be able to life 50 pounds. They should also demonstrate commitment, reliability, punctuality and responsible behavior at previous jobs.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visits careers.msu.edu. Applications close May 9, 2021.

bad habits graphic

Cultivating and Maintaining Good Habits

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Written by Andrea Williams, HR Organization and Professional Development

You’ve likely heard more and more talk about the next phase of our personal and professional lives — be it resuming our pre-COVID routines or creating new ones going forward. Although none of us know exactly what the future looks like, now is an excellent time to consider the changes we may have made over the past year that we’d like to carry forward — perhaps prioritizing our health, creating new family traditions, or learning new skills.

As we navigate the next phase of our lives, University of Southern California research psychologist, Wendy Wood, points out, “We’re going to be faced with two sets of habits: pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. And we’ll have to choose which to repeat.”

Don’t leave your habits to chance. Take this opportunity to make deliberate choices about which habits you want to maintain going forward and any new habits you want to form. Here are some tips to help you cultivate and continue the habits that best serve you and others.

Take it one at a time

Focus on one habit or goal at a time to reap the most reward. When you have the foundations for the first goal in place, you can then move to the next one. When you have integrated the second goal into your schedule, you can then work on the third goal and so on. Set yourself up for success and remember that slow progress is better than no progress.

Understand your habit’s function

Our habits typically meet an underlying need, such as the need for comfort, to feel safe, or to feel cared for. Understanding the significance behind our habits can help us better evaluate whether these habits still serve a real need. We can then opt to further cultivate a habit or design a new, healthier one.

Compare likely outcomes

When you’re faced with a moment of choice, ask yourself, “If I perform this habit, how will I feel? Where will it put me?” Pause, envision yourself and the outcomes, and notice how you feel. Then ask yourself, “If I instead choose to perform this other habit, how will I feel? What will it get me?” Pause, envision, and notice. Set an intention for what you’ll do and then follow through.  

Be consistent and kind

Strive for consistency in your habits rather than perfection. Many habits take time to integrate to the point that you no longer need to think about them. Until then, when you deviate from your plan, kindly redirect yourself toward the results you want without punishment or judgment. There is debate over whether there is an actual causation or rather a correlation between repetition and the formation and enforcement of habits, but research shows positivity combined with consistency is key. Reinforce the positive and focus on your progress and victories, no matter how small.

Share the experience

Cultivating and maintaining habits happens faster and easier when they’re shared. Friends, family, and colleagues can provide support in the form of accountability, reinforcement, and celebration. If you don’t have a circle you can count on, reach out to a therapist or an organization that fosters community in a particular area. MSU faculty, staff, and their families have access to resources including the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Health4U, and the MSU WorkLife Office that can help.

Don’t get discouraged if your first (or fourth) attempt doesn’t stick. Nobody is perfect in forming and sticking with good habits. Focus not on perfection, but rather on the process of trying things, redesigning your approach as necessary, and trying again.

Sources

Chua, Celestine. 21 Days to Cultivate Life Transforming Habits Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://personalexcellence.co/blog/21-day-trial/

Fitzgerald, Sunny (2021, April 5). Pandemic habits: How to hang on to the good ones and get rid of the bad. Retrieved April 5, 2021 from https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/habits-covid-good-bad-how/2021/04/03/5a229796-93c0-11eb-a74e-1f4cf89fd948_story.html Forbes Coaches Council (2020, July 1). 16 Unique Ways to Cultivate Good Habits and Cut the Bad Ones. Retrieved April 2, 2021 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/07/01/16-unique-ways-to-cultivate-good-habits-and-cut-the-bad-ones/?sh=3860e7155606

flowers, trees and the Beaumont Tower at MSU.

MSU Spring Events, Activities and Courses Round-Up

Published on by Megan MacGregor1 Comment

We hope you and your family enjoy this round-up of events, activities and courses around campus.

Outside Activities

  • Get outside and hike the beautiful trails at the Kellogg Biological Station Bird Sanctuary Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Additionally, check out their calendar of virtual events. 
  • The W. J. Beal Botanical Garden on campus is an outdoor laboratory for the study and appreciation of plants. If you follow the W. J. Beal Botanical Garden Facebook page, you’ll know that spring flowers have started to blossom. The garden is open for you to walk around and enjoy the plants in a beautiful setting, but please follow COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and stay safe. 

Art/Performance

  • The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum has a variety of current exhibitions that are free and open to the public with social distancing and enhanced safety measures in place, including daily limited spots available. Please reserve your free tickets here. Additionally, they are offering many interesting, free online events.
  • The Wharton Center is dedicated to sharing the power of the performing arts with the community by offering Wharton at Home activities for both adults and children.

Learning Opportunities

We hope you all will remain safe and healthy and continue to practice social distancing until we are able to see each other on campus again. In the meantime, wear a mask, wash your hands often, and enjoy these campus activities.

Job of the Week: Professional Aide for the College of Veterinary Medicine

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This week’s job of the week posting is for a Professional Aide (Posting 697985) performing writing and project management duties for the College of Veterinary Medicine. This is a three-month temporary position with the possibility for extension. The college includes four biomedical science departments, two clinical departments, two service units and various research units. In 2020, the College of Veterinary Medicine at MSU was ranked third in the U.S. and top 10 in the world. 

As the Professional Aide, you will be responsible for writing for the Office of Marketing and Communications in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, you will be expected to provide administrative, organizational, editing and research support for a special historical project for the college.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, History or Professional Writing and at least two years of professional writing/project management experience. You will be a proficient, deadline-oriented writer with the ability to adapt your writing style to suit the genre and audience. You must have research skills and be able to understand complex subjects such as medicine, research and science. Candidates must be able to interview subjects and develop creative and frequent stories. Lastly, the ideal candidate should have experience and/or knowledge of generating web and social media content, project management skills and conduct historical research.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visits careers.msu.edu. Applications for this position close on April 14, 2021. 

Job of the Week: Laborer I

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This week’s job of the week posting is for a Laborer I (Posting #694061) for Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF). IPF provides services like assisting in event coordination, landscaping, planning, design and construction, recycling, and more.

As a Laborer I, you will be responsible for performing, leading, and assisting seasonal staff in a variety of manual labor tasks related to general landscape, plant and tree care, preservation, and golf course maintenance and tournament/event setup operations as part of Forest Akers Golf Course. Other responsibilities include operating snow-removal vehicles and equipment, assisting in monitoring work areas to assure compliance with safety precautions, among others. The position is expected to work 40 hours per week from approximately April to November at $17.76–$18.69 per hour. This position is also expected to work at least every other weekend. Additional benefits are included as well as the possibility of working November through April 2022.

The Laborer I must drive a University vehicle to perform job duties of this classification. Ideal candidates must have a valid Michigan vehicle operator’s license and possess or attain MSU Forklift operator’s permit prior to completion of applicable probation or trial period. The candidate must also possess of attain a valid Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification in categories Turf (3A), Ornamental (3B), and Right of Way (6) within 6 months of hire date.

The ideal candidate also has a background (at least 1 year experience) in golf course maintenance, sports field turf maintenance or strong equivalent background in similar agricultural or construction equipment work.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu.

woman working at computer while writing in notebook

Leadership Blog Series: Preparing for the Next Normal

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Written by Sharri Margraves, HR Associate Director for Organization and Professional Development

In March 2020, we embarked on an incredible journey. Do you remember the shock when, seemingly overnight, everything changed at work and in our community? Thinking it would only be a couple of weeks, then two months, then six, and so on as reality set in? I imagine that few, if any, of us would have ever expected a collective and comprehensive change in our lives quite like this.

As we turn our thoughts to creating the “next normal,” many will experience a new set of emotions and challenges. We might keep wishing for things to go “back to normal,” even when we intellectually know it’s not possible. MSU will remain a residential university and being present is essential for the experience.

So, how do we prepare for an uncertain future as we begin to bring the campus back to a fuller vibrancy? Consider the following:

Start with being self-reflective

  • Honor that this experience has been hard for everyone, although not always in the same ways. Remember that we have our shared experience, but we did not share the same experience.
  • Appreciate those who continued to report in-person throughout the past year and those who continued to work remotely. It took everyone to get us through.
  • Make a list of your and your team’s accomplishments. It’s beneficial to reflect on the positive. Did you learn new skills? Create new processes?
  • Start thinking about how you might approach work differently.
  • Be grateful.

Be intentional

Approach the next set of changes with thoughtfulness and intentionality, considering how they will impact individuals and teams. Luckily, upcoming transitions will likely be gradual as opposed to the abruptness of going to “pandemic rules” last year. In all cases, consider how change will affect both employees and operations.

  • Prepare for change by engaging in discussions around work expectations, challenges, and changes in teams (e.g., what to expect regarding breaks, lunch, and dress code).
  • Allow ample time for employees to adjust to returning to campus as this is another major change. Those who have been on-site will also experience this change. Many employees will have new arrangements to make, and a lack of consideration for their needs will lead to disengagement.
  • Be prepared to utilize resources such as the MSU Employee Assistance Program, Guide to Remote Access, and others. Anticipate and address conflict. This adjustment will include following the MSU Community Compact, differences of opinion regarding vaccinations, and how employees will feel if co-workers choose not to disclose or get a COVID-19 vaccination, to name only a few.
  • Continue to be inclusive. Announcements, meetings, and other common workplace activities can impact teams, particularly with a mix of on-premise and remote employees. No one wants to feel excluded or that they missed something.

Be mindful of transitions

As we move forward, it’s critical to not just consider changes but also transitions. Consider the following quote from William Bridges:

“It isn’t the changes that do you in, it’s the transitions. Change is not the same as transition. Change is situational: the new site, the new boss, the new team roles, the new policy. Transition is the psychological process people go through to come to terms with the new situation. Change is external, transition is internal.”

Anticipate that your team may need support engaging with the transitions of our “next normal.” Take advantage of the resources provided by MSU and understand that this is an expected part of the process. Prepare yourself and your team for the changes and transitions ahead, and you can use 2020 as a springboard to the next, better normal.

Source:

Bridges, W. (2017). Managing transitions: making the most of change. Da Capo.

Job of the Week: Health Care Representative

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This week’s job of the week posting is for a Health Care Representative (Posting #694623) for Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS). CAPS is an on-campus facility that provides students with services on mental health concerns, including individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, screening/triage appointments, multicultural engagement, intensive integrated clinical services, clinical care coordination, hospitalization coordination and support, as well as other related services.

As a health care representative, you will be responsible for performing front desk functions in person and over the phone in a mental health setting. Other responsibilities include greeting visitors, scheduling appointments, checking in and checking out patients to the clinic, data entry and medical insurance verification, among other tasks. The positions requires you to greet visitors in a friendly manner and provide assistance and direction within the office, register and schedule patients for all necessary appointments, maintain patients’ medical records, participate in cross coverage, participate in meetings and training as necessary, maintain confidentiality of protected health information, collaborate with providers to develop the master schedule, as well as enter and update the schedule in the electronic medical record as needed. 

The ideal candidate will have the knowledge acquired in a high school education, a minimum of one year of related or expansive work experience in a mental health office, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Desired qualifications include completion of a healthcare assistant certificate or college course work in a health care related field or business or certification as a medical assistant. Knowledge of computer software including Microsoft Office Suite, patient scheduling software and Athena EHR are also preferred. Excellent interpersonal skills are needed to interact with students, visitors and clinicians.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visits careers.msu.edu. Internal applicants should access postings through the Careers @ MSU tile in the EBS portal.