Job of the Week – Accountant I

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This week’s job of the week is an Accountant I (#609724) for the Office of the Vice President for Auxiliary Enterprises, specifically in the Finance and Business Office. This position is seeking an individual with a strong work ethic to serve as backup to the assistant controller and be assigned as the Fiscal Officer Delegate to assist with account reconciliation for several accounts within one of the business units.

The responsibilities for this role include providing accounting controls for departmental budgets that exceed $20 million of expenses in some units, offering assistance to departmental staff with accounting concerns and monitoring the activities of the department in order to assist in the basic operational functioning. Additional responsibilities of this role include supporting the financial and operational activities of the Residential and Hospitality Services (RHS) Business and Financial Services office assigned to focus on Residence Education and Housing Services (REHS).

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in accounting; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in financial statement and report preparation, general ledger accounting and budgeting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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

graphic representing medical care

Thinking about your 2023 benefits options? Consider the Consumer Driven Health Plan with Health Savings Account.

Published on by Megan MacGregorLeave a comment

This article was updated in 2022 with information for the 2023 plan year.

As you think about the best benefits options for you and your family for the 2023 plan year, we encourage eligible employees to look at the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) option. If you do not anticipate having a lot of health care needs for the 2023 plan year and are looking for a sound strategy to save for your retirement health care, this plan may be the most cost-effective option for you.

This health plan is currently only available to faculty, academic staff, executive management, POAM, and non-union support staff with an employment percentage equal to or greater than 50% and an appointment for nine months or more. You may also enroll your benefits-eligible dependents.

About the Consumer Driven Health Plan

While you pay a deductible ($2,000/single and $4,000/ family) first before the plan pays medical and prescription benefits, preventive care and certain generic medications for chronic conditions (asthma, cholesterol, diabetes, and anti-hypertensives) are 100% covered with no deductible or co-pays when using an in-network provider. Review the Health Plan Coverage Summary in the applicable Open Enrollment guide to anticipate your annual costs under this plan – you may find that most of your annual medical costs are 100% covered:

This plan limits the maximum amount you pay for any covered services in a year to $3,000/single and $6,000/ family using in-network providers. After expenses reach this amount, you do not have to pay for any other health care costs for covered services, including prescription drugs.

About the Health Savings Account

Along with the CDHP, you should enroll for the HSA— not to be confused with the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA)—during Open Enrollment in October. MSU contributes up to $750 to the HSA each year (prorated by employment percentage) and you may add funds to the HSA tax-free. You can use these HSA funds to pay for any eligible medical expenses or doctor visits you do incur.

Note: If you do not enroll in the HSA during Open Enrollment, you will lose MSU’s contribution.

These contributions are triple tax-free! You make contributions pre-tax, your account balance earns interest tax-free, and your distributions are tax-free if they are used for eligible medical expenses. Do you have an existing HSA from a previous employer? You can add those funds into your new HSA. The money in the HSA is yours to take with you – even if you leave MSU for a different employer or retire. In fact, investing in your HSA now to use in your retirement is a sound strategy to fund your medical expenses in retirement.

How much should you contribute to an HSA?

It can be difficult to plan for health-related expenses, especially when taking unforeseen expenses into consideration. With HSA’s, however, figuring out how much to contribute is rather simple — as much as you can within IRS contribution limits.

The current 2022 IRS contribution limits are:

  • $3,650 for single
  • $7,300 for family

The 2023 plan year IRS contribution limits are:

  • $3,850 for single
  • $7,750 for family
  • And those 55 or older can contribute even more

Remember, any funds you don’t use immediately earn interest tax-free and can be used by you and your dependents for medical expenses incurred in retirement.

It might make you feel uneasy to contribute as much as you can, but when you consider the tax savings and retirement benefits, it feels more realistic.

Questions? Learn more about the CDHP with HSA plan on the HR website. Also, consider participating in the MSU Benefits Fair or an HR Site Lab in during Open Enrollment in October to ask us questions about this health care plan. Please note: the HR building is not available for drop-ins.

The Solutions Center is available to answer questions via phone or email. In-person assistance is available by appointment only. Email:SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu
Phone: 517-353-4434
Toll Free: 800-353-4434

Happy National Online Learning Day!

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September 15 is National Online Learning Day! Online learning provides convenience, flexibility, and personalization for all learners. Did you know MSU offers FREE online learning opportunities for all faculty and staff? Get access to online resources including books, videos, courses, and more via elevateU. 

Access elevateU here or log into EBS and look for the “elevateU” tile under the “My Career & Training” tab. You can access elevateU from your computer or through the Skillsoft Learning App for Android and iOS devices.  

There are programs that cover leadership, IT & desktop, business, finance, human resources, change management, project management, interpersonal skills and so much more. Resources are available in a variety of formats: 

  • Video-based and interactive courses 
  • Videos 
  • Books 
  • Resources to prepare for various professional certifications 

Watch the following video for a general overview of the resources available to you and how to access them:

Need help navigating elevateU? Click here for an additional video on how to use the search function and navigate through the resources available. 

Utilize the resources as reference tools to help answer your day-to-day job questions or as part of your ongoing personal and professional development. Many of the courses are even approved for Continuing Education credits! Remember, all courses are available to current staff and faculty at no charge.  

Happy National Online Learning Day! 

Job of the Week – Medical Laboratory Technician

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This week’s job of the week is a Medical Laboratory Technician (#607197) for The College of Veterinary Medicine, specifically in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. This position is seeking an individual with excellent verbal communication skills to provide support to technical and professional staff by preparing specimens for diagnostic analysis.

The responsibilities for this role include processing/testing specimens from animals and the environment to detect the presence of inorganic and organic chemicals, as well as preparing media/reagents for use by several laboratory sections. Additional duties associated with this position involve walking, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, climbing and working with unfixed animal tissues.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in science or a two-year associates degree program in Applied Science Medical Laboratory Technician including a six-month internship at an approved institution laboratory; up to six months of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in basic laboratory techniques; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The job may require specialty certifications, approvals, or training.

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

Get in-person assistance for your Open Enrollment questions!

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The MSU Benefits Open Enrollment period is around the corner. Benefit-eligible employees can enroll in, change or cancel benefit selections from Oct. 1-31. Is this your first time participating in MSU’s Open Enrollment and you’re not sure where to start? Or have you done this before but have some questions you just want a real-life person to help with?

Either way, MSU HR has a number of opportunities for you to get in-person assistance during the Open Enrollment period.

Benefits Fair

Stop out to the MSU Benefits Fair to talk with knowledgeable HR staff and benefit vendors. The fair will be held at the Breslin Center on:

Tues., Oct. 8, 2019
Noon – 7 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 9, 2019
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.

You can check out more information on which vendors will be at the fair, as well as info about parking, flu shots and chair massages on the HR website.

Site Labs

MSU HR will host site labs throughout the month of October where you can stop in and work with HR staff to get your questions answered. Site labs will be held at the Nisbet Building (1407 S. Harrison Road, East Lansing) on:

Fri., Oct. 4, 2019
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tues., Oct. 22, 2019
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mon., Oct. 28, 2019
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 31, 2019
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

You can check out more information on the site labs, including parking info on the HR website.

If you miss one of these opportunities, the MSU HR Solutions Center team is always happy to assist. Stop by the Nisbet Building, Suite 110, Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or contact 517-353-4434 or SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu. Make sure to get your questions answered and feel confident in your benefit selections for 2020!

Job of the Week – Hub Project Manager

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This week’s job of the week is a Hub Project Manager (#602040) for The Hub for Innovation in Learning and Technology. This position is seeking an individual with strong problem-solving and communication skills, who possesses a broad understanding and experience planning and managing a portfolio of product and/or service design projects.

The responsibilities for this role include providing project management strategy and guidance for The Hub, managing changes to projects’ scope, schedule, and costs using appropriate verification techniques, assisting in the development of project objectives and project plans, and working with Hub management on resource planning, availability and allocation to project objectives. Other responsibilities include conducting research and data analysis, preparing reports, and performing project close assessments to identify opportunities for growth, to maximize operational effectiveness, amend processes and procedures, and assess work performance.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in design, business administration, research, education or field related to the employing unit; three to five years of related and progressively more expansive work experience in product and design project management, business analysis, facilitating/training with a focus on business management; experience working with multiple high-level stakeholders, work flow process analysis and implementation of strategic initiatives, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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

Job of the Week – Editorial Assistant II

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This week’s job of the week is an Editorial Assistant II (#602934) for the Vice President for Student Affairs & Services, specifically for the Service Learning Center. This position is seeking an individual to edit and proofread materials, research and compose articles, develop printing specifications, oversee production schedules and provide clerical support in order to facilitate the production and distribution of marketing materials. Other responsibilities for this role include creating content for and coordinating the center website and social media accounts.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired from the first two or three years of college, technical, vocational or business school with coursework in journalism, English, and writing; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience including familiarity with printing processes, publication design; word processing, desktop publishing, database, spreadsheet, web design and maintenance, and presentation software; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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

Start the New Academic Year with a Professional Development Course!

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Welcome to a new academic year at MSU! Organization and Professional Development (OPD) is offering new courses this fall to help you reach your personal and professional development goals.

NEW Upcoming Courses:

Managing Meetings – Tuesday, October 15
With company resources tighter than ever, and staff and management busier than ever, frivolous meetings are simply not an option. Yet they continue to occur more often than ever. And too many unproductive, wasteful meetings create a major drag on staff morale and motivation, thus affecting productivity, turnover, and the corporate “bottom line”. And, if you are the organizer or leader of meetings, you simply cannot afford to look unprofessional when you are “on stage” in a competitive or political environment. Use this program to better plan, lead, and follow through on your meetings and enhance team productivity, coordination, and cohesion.

Communication Strategies for Supervisors – Thursday, October 24
One of the non-negotiables for successful leadership is being an effective communicator. Many leaders believe they do communicate effectively, but what most leaders do not understand about communicating with their team is that it is not just about what is said. To lead successfully today, leaders must be able to persuade, inspire, listen, articulate the big picture, and create teams of people who buy into and trust the sender.

Manager as Coach – Thursday, October 24
Successful managers today understand the importance of coaching in the workplace to improve productivity, loyalty, and results. Instead of telling team members what to do, or just expecting them to perform, it is important to guide, discuss and encourage – in other words, coach.

Presentation Skills 101 – Wednesday, November 20
You may have a great deal of knowledge or important information to share, but if your presentation is not engaging, you may lose your audience and opportunity for influence. Whether you’re a training professional, an executive, a manager who leads meetings, or anyone who needs to communicate clearly to more than one person at a time, this workshop will show you strategies to create and deliver effective presentations with confidence and enthusiasm.

Support staff should note that their Educational Assistance benefit resets with the fall semester – be sure to use these funds to help cover costs for any registration fees.

You can find all current OPD courses on the HR website. Sign-up through the EBS Portal. Questions? Contact HR Solutions Center at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

Job of the week – Senior Purchasing Agent

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This week’s job of the week is a Senior Purchasing Agent (#600044) for the Department of Purchasing. This position is seeking an individual to use extensive knowledge and expertise to execute or negotiate complex, large dollar purchases that support multiple operations, as well as to use advanced analytics to evaluate spend and activity data and determine sourcing opportunities.

The responsibilities for this role include utilizing performance measurement tools, partnering with MSU legal and risk management offices, and developing and reviewing complex RFPs, among other duties. Other responsibilities for this role include negotiating supplier contracts, managing supplier relationships and evaluates proposals. The Senior Purchasing Agent will also develop and maintain awareness of changing commodity-related business trends in the market and their impact to the university.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by a four-year college degree program in Business Administration with relevant coursework in marketing, business law, finance, public relations and computer science; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in sales, purchasing/buying and accounting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

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