Author: MSU Human Resources

Jobs of the Week: Openings with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources features three job openings with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)–Assistant Director of Assistive Technology (posting 770997), Ability Access Specialist – Chronic Health (posting 770998), and Ability Access Specialist – Neurodivergence (posting 760382). Join RCPD and contribute positively to MSU’s reputation for excellence in facilitating the inclusion of persons with disabilities in a range of educational and work-related opportunities. 

The Assistant Director of Assistive Technology reports to the Director of the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities and will oversee the development of proposals, programs, partnerships, funding sources, and visibility efforts that expand assistive technology leadership at MSU. This individual will collaborate with the Director of the RCPD and Ability Access Specialists to develop and operationalize strategic plans, document needs, and report on progress in advancing ability and opportunity. 

Individuals interested in the Assistant Director of Assistive Technology should have a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to educational technology accessibility, such as special education, higher education administration, information technology, etc. The selected candidate will have extensive working knowledge of assistive technology and a vision for its role in facilitating full participation by persons with disabilities. They should have knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to persons with disabilities and excellent communication and collaboration skills. Click here for a complete list of duties and requirements. 

There are two openings for Ability Access Specialists–one for chronic health and one for neurodivergence–both reporting to the Director of the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. These specialists provide advising, service direction, consultation, and referrals to persons with disabilities to facilitate full participation in university programs and services. They provide outreach, consulting, and presentations to university faculty and staff to create an environment of accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities. The Ability Access Specialists develop and administer programs and services intent on increasing engagement in the mission and programs of MSU, fostering student success, and advancing career and life success. 

Requirements for the Ability Access Specialists include a master’s degree in special education, rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, or a related field. They should have knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to persons with disabilities and educational and employment-related accommodations, skills, and tools used by persons with a range of disabilities. They should also have a working knowledge of assistive technology and its role in facilitating full participation by persons with disabilities and strong collaborative and team skills balanced by an ability to operate independently with minimal prompting. 

Click here for a complete list of duties and requirements for the chronic health Ability Access Specialist and here for the neurodivergence Ability Access Specialist. 

The required application material for these positions includes a letter of interest, a resume or CV, and two letters of reference. Learn more about RCPD at https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/about-rcpd. The latest job postings are available at careers.msu.edu. 

Job of the Week: Office Assistant III

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources features a job posting for an Office Assistant III (posting 781674) with the Division of Student Life and Engagement. Student Life engages students in active learning, prepares students for leadership roles, enhances the educational environment, and is centered on the success of students.

The office assistant will serve as the primary administrative support for the Student Life & Engagement (SLE) Director of Human Resources. They will represent SLE at Human Resources staff meetings, manage calendaring functions, and assist in communication and human resources processes related to recruitment, hiring, staffing, training, and development. This individual will interact with MSU and SLE staff and students to assist with questions and resolve issues, serving as the front-line communicator and connection to the SLE human resources team. For a list of all responsibilities, click here.

The ideal candidate should have a high school education and at least three years of work experience in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and desktop publishing software. It is helpful, but not required, that the individual has knowledge of MSU Human Resources policies and procedures, experience working in an office dealing with confidential information, or experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, LGBTQIA+ or gender backgrounds.

Learn more about the Department of Student Life at https://studentlife.msu.edu/. Find more information and apply here with a resume, cover letter, and three professional references by May 31. The latest job postings are available at careers.msu.edu.

Job of the Week: Health Care Representative

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources features a job posting for a Health Care Representative (posting 775895) with the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the College of Veterinary Medicine.  

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital is looking for someone to work evenings at the Small Animal Clinic reception desk to greet, register, and direct clients and animals to the correct waiting area. The Health Care Representative will establish patient appointments and create, review, and update electronic client and patient health records. They will also work in the call center, listening carefully and communicating effectively to provide outstanding customer service. For a list of all responsibilities, click here.

The ideal candidate should have a high school education and at least one year of experience working in a medical office, clinic, or mental health office. It is helpful if the candidate also has work experience that includes phone etiquette and computer skills with excellent communication and uses proper grammar and spelling. 

The College’s vision is to be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service. Six goals, backed by specific strategies, guide our organization as we move forward. Read more at https://cvm.msu.edu/about/strategic-planning-2021-26/goals to learn about the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s strategy, goals, and progress.

Learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine at https://cvm.msu.edu/. Find more information and apply here with a cover letter and resume by May 24. The latest job postings are available at careers.msu.edu. 

Green background with image of lightbulb surrounded by balled up, yellow paper and yellow paperclips, representing new ideas and problem solving

Decision Making Myths and Tips

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

In both work and life in general, there is often no “right” decision. We’re often faced with an abundance of options, which doesn’t make the act of decision making any easier. Whether you’re someone who experiences decision paralysis, someone who makes rash decisions you come to regret, or fall anywhere in between, you will likely benefit from simplifying decision making with a balanced combination of intuition and critical thinking.

Types of Decision Making

Decisions should, ideally, come from a clear understanding of your needs, values and goals. When you’re in a familiar situation, do you find your decisions are fast and automatic? This is likely based on your established experience with what works and what doesn’t. However, when you encounter a new situation, you may find you need more time to weigh potential benefits and risks. Knowing various approaches to decision making can help you determine what’s best for your unique circumstances.

Informed Decision Making

The ability to think critically is key to making good decisions free from common errors or bias. Informed decision making means not just listening to your intuition or “going with your gut,” but rather figuring out what knowledge you lack and obtaining it. When you look at all possible sources of information with an open mind, you can make an informed decision based on both facts and intuition.

Satisficing vs. Maximizing Decision Making

A satisficing approach to making decisions involves settling for a “good enough” outcome, even if it’s flawed. Alternatively, a maximizing approach waits for conditions to be as perfect as possible to minimize potential risks. People who make good decisions know when it’s important to act immediately, and when there’s time to wait and gather more facts before making a choice.

Decision-Making Styles

If you find you’re feeling stuck when faced with the need to make a decision, consider the decision-making styles below. Examine these factors and think about how they relate to your potential decision.

StyleBehaviorWhen to useDo not use when
AuthoritativeYou make a decision and announce it to relevant parties.Time is short.

As decision maker, you have all the knowledge needed.		You need buy-in from others.
Consultative (group or individual)You gather input from individuals or a group, and then decide.As decision maker, you do not have all the knowledge or insight needed.

The issue is important to a group/team.		Others really don’t have a say in the decision (as decision maker, you may have privileged information).
MajorityYou reach a decision along with a group; everyone understands the decision, and the majority of people are willing to implement.It is a relatively trivial matter or low-stakes decision.The decision affects everyone in a meaningful way.
ConsensusYou reach a decision along with a group; everyone understands the decision, and everyone is willing to implement.The decision will impact everyone, and all need to fully buy in.

There is potential value in the team discussing or working together on the decision.		Time is short.
DelegateYou delegate the decision to an individual or a team, with constraints you have set.The delegate has all the necessary skills, or there is a coach or mentor available to assist.It is a high-risk or high-profile decision.

Decision Making Myths

Making decisions can be stressful, and it’s easy to fall into falsehoods about decision making to avoid putting in the sometimes difficult effort to make the best choice. Consider some common myths related to decision making and think of ways to avoid these traps.

Myth #1: I just need to solve this problem at this moment; I don’t have time to dedicate to this decision.

Putting off a decision is a decision in and of itself. However, intentionally slowing down a bit to be clear about what you’re solving will speed up your efficacy. Put in the quality time now to avoid having to revisit a decision later that you may come to regret. Our problems sit in a context. If your focus is too narrow, or your process is too rushed, you may solve the wrong problem, or only partially solve the problem.

Myth #2: This is my decision alone; I don’t need to involve others.

Most important decisions involve other stakeholders. Avoiding this bigger picture of who else is affected by a decision can, at best, only partially solve the problem, and may unintentionally exacerbate it.  Be mindful that, when many people are involved in making a decision, the process can become stalled by groupthink, when well-intentioned individuals make poor or irrational choices out of a desire to conform or avoid dissent. Ensure any involved individuals feel safe and confident expressing doubts and concerns.

Myth #3: Decision making is a linear process.

Good decision making is circular, requiring a feedback loop as information is gathered and analyzed over time. Don’t be surprised if you need to go back to find additional information or adjust your decisions.

When faced with difficult decisions, take the time to ensure your choices are based on what’s actually happening and not simply reflective of learned patterns of behavior that may no longer be useful. Carefully weigh any potential issues, commit to a decision, and then follow through. Interested in further advancing your decision-making skills and knowledge? Check out the elevateU resources below to get started.

ELEVATEU RESOURCES

Collected Resources: Decision Making and Problem Solving (Courses, Short Videos, Audiobooks, eBooks)

Choosing and Using the Best Solution (25-minute course)

Defining Alternative Solutions to a Problem (24-minute course)

Leading Through Problem Solving and Decision Making (48-minute course)

Sources

Psychology Today. Decision-Making. Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/decision-making.

Skillsoft Ireland Limited. Choosing and Using the Best Solution. Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://elevateu.skillport.com/skillportfe/main.action?path=summary/COURSES/apd_15_a03_bs_enus.

Strauss Einhorn, Cheryl, 2021, April 20. 11 Myths About Decision-Making. Harvard Business Review blog post. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://hbr.org/2021/04/11-myths-about-decision-making.

Job of the Week: Communications Manager II/S

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week’s featured job from MSU Human Resources is a Communications Manager II/S (posting 774781) with MSU Libraries.  

The MSU Libraries is looking for a strategic thinker and storyteller for their Marketing and Communications Manager, who will lead their external and internal communications, including developing social media strategy and ongoing evaluation through metrics and analytics. The internal communications strategy developed by this individual will showcase departmental and individual staff achievements and other noteworthy news to support staff morale and cement departmental cohesiveness. In addition to supervising three full-time staff members, the Communications Manager will also act as the primary communications liaison across Library departments, managing relationships, and assignments with faculty librarians, archivists, and staff. They will also represent the Libraries in various activities and participate in meetings related to marketing and communications within the University with regional and national organizations. For a list of all responsibilities, click here.

Applicants interested in this position should have a four-year degree in Journalism, Telecommunications, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, or a related field. Required work experience includes three to five years in public and media relations, composting, editing, and publication production. Work experience may also include marketing, advertising, word processing, desktop publishing, web design, spreadsheet or database software, and computer programming.

While not required, the ideal candidate for this role should be able to manage concurrent initiatives, production schedules, and multiple tasks. They should have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to build positive, enthusiastic, and productive collaborations with diverse audiences. Experience working in a research library or university development is also helpful. 

Learn more about MSU Libraries at https://lib.msu.edu/. Find more information on the position posting and apply with a cover letter and resume by May 17. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu. 

Job of the Week: Skilled Trades Supervisors

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week’s featured job from MSU Human Resources is a Skilled Trades Supervisor (posting 774284) in the department of Power and Water through Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. 

The Skilled Trades Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing the install, repair and maintenance of power and water controls. In addition, all Power and Water hiring, recruiting and training are assigned to this role. The supervisor will work with union representatives, manage the department budget and develop and coordinate power outage plans. This professional must also uphold IPF’s commitment to fostering an equitable, inclusive culture. For a full list of responsibilities, click here.

Applicants interested in this position should have knowledge normally acquired from at least one year of higher education and five to eight years work experience in maintenance of electrical equipment. The applicant must also possess a valid drivers license and meet MSU safe driving standards. The desired qualifications include, but are not limited to a degree in electrical, chemical or mechanical engineering, knowledge of power plant operations and experience with labor relations. Knowledge of Microsoft Office Products and Continuous or Predictive Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS, PEMS) is also desired. IPF is looking for a staff member who understands different perspectives while utilizing expert knowledge on the technical operations of the position. 

Learn more about MSU IPF at https://ipf.msu.edu/. Find more information and apply with a cover letter and resume by May 3 here. All the latest job postings can be found at careers.msu.edu. 

children giving flowers to woman

Deals and Discounts for Mother’s Day

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This Mother’s Day (May 8), show the mom in your life that you appreciate them with a thoughtful gift – whether that’s your mom, mother to your kiddos, stepmom, or mother-in-law. MSU benefits-eligible employees have access to many discounts and savings through MSU Benefits Plus.

To access all the discounts, visit MSU Benefits Plus and sign-up for a free account using your ZPID number (located on your Spartan Card ID badge), or you can find the number in EBS.

Check out some of these deals that you can find through MSU Benefits Plus:

Flowers

  • Rose Farmers is committed to providing luxury roses for every special occasion. Get 35% off luxury long stem roses delivered from the farm to your doorstep.
  • Want to send a bouquet of fresh flowers? Enjoy 20% off from 1-800 Flowers, including Fruit Bouquets!
  • From You Flowers is perfect for any occasion and every sentiment. Save 25% all year!

Gifts

  • Give the gift of a great show at Wharton Center and enjoy up to 15% off through MSU Benefits Plus.
  • Lavish the mom on your list with pearly gifts that are sure to be remembered, and save 60% on available jewelry with free shipping from Pacific Pearls.
  • Gift a great getaway to the beach, theme park, or a golf excursion with up to 40% through HVN, the exclusive provider of professionally serviced apartments, homes, villas, and vacation rentals.

Food

  • Go with a gift that’s sure to be a hit and save 15% off chocolate-covered strawberries, one of the most popular gifts from Shari’s Berries.
  • Enjoy a home-cooked meal without the hassle of cooking. Get $60 off your first five orders from Freshly.
  • Save 20% on “the very best treat you don’t have to bake yourself” from David’s Cookies.

Find these discounts and many more by visiting the MSU Benefits Plus portal. Sign-up for a free account using your ZPID number (located on your Spartan Card ID badge), or you can find the number in EBS.

Job of the Week: WorkLife Consultant/Life Span & Family Services Coordinator

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week’s featured job from MSU Human Resources is a WorkLife Consultant/Life Span and Family Services Coordinator (Job Posting 771494). 

The WorkLife Consultant provides administrative and coordination of child and family care assistance programs, including advocating for family support and workplace wellness policies for faculty and staff. Responsibilities include conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and administering university-wide work-life programs and activities. The person chosen for this will be responsible for programming, reports, promotion, and one-on-one and group consultations in family care, workplace assistance/wellness, campus/community connections, relocation, and career.

The selected candidate for this role will refer faculty and staff inquiries about family assistance, workplace assistance and wellness, community connections, relocation, and career to appropriate agencies, offices, or information sources. They will also serve as a liaison between University offices, campus governmental units, committees, constituents, and external employers and governing bodies. They will utilize knowledge of organizational conditions and evolving trends in the field to advise stakeholders on the quality of work-life issues through advocacy, presentations, consultations, and more. Find the complete list of duties and responsibilities here. 

Applicants interested in this position should have a four-year degree in Psychology, Social Work, Human Resources, or Public Administration. A Master’s degree is preferred but not required. They should also have at least one year of experience in dependent care support, family services program planning, coordination, and evaluation. It is helpful if the candidate has knowledge of local community resources for employees, families, newcomers, aging employees/families, wellbeing, and dependent care. The best candidates will also have excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills, be able to manage multiple tasks, and excellent writing skills. They would also be comfortable learning and using new technology such as MS Teams, Qualtrics, SharePoint, social media, Zoom, MediaSpace, and Microsoft 362 Suite. 

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon. Learn more about MSU WorkLife Office at worklife.msu.edu. To apply, submit your resume and cover letter here by April 26. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu. 

A person sitting on a couch with a laptop on their lap. A green rectangular graphic is over the bottom of the photograph and includes a vector illustration of a stopwatch and the text "Time Management Blog Series".

Time Management Blog Series: Eat the Frog

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

Time management is an area where most of us could use additional practice and skills. Over a series of posts, we’ll highlight time management techniques to give you different tools to utilize depending on your needs, preferences and work style. The reality is that the best productivity technique is the one you’ll actually use and stick with, so give different approaches a try and see what works best for you.

We’ll focus here on leveling up your time management skills with the Eat the Frog method.

Eat the Frog: What It Is

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

Inspired by a quote commonly attributed to Mark Twain, Eat the Frog isn’t just a catchy phrase but also a powerful approach to help you reach high levels of performance and productivity. Deceptively simple, Eat the Frog comes down to one simple activity: identify the Most Important Task (MIT) or “frog” for your day and complete it first.

How It Works

  1. Identify Your Frog/MIT. Just one—pick your most challenging, most important task for the day.
  2. Eat the Frog. Complete this task first thing in the morning.
  3. Repeat Every Day. Observe how consistently “eating a frog” every day adds up to large results over time.

It really is that simple! Eat the Frog can be combined with other productivity methods — for example, the Pomodoro Technique — but is also a powerful tool in and of itself.

Who Will It Benefit?

While the Eat the Frog approach can work well for just about anyone, it may be an especially good fit for you if you meet any of these criteria:

  • You struggle with procrastination.
  • You have trouble deciding what to work on.
  • You feel overwhelmed by your to-do list.
  • You have a hard time sticking to a productivity/time management system.
  • You complete a lot of work but aren’t making progress on important projects.

Why It’s Effective

Eat the Frog is a powerful time management tool for a number of reasons.

  • It’s simple, straightforward and flexible. Maintaining a complex, multi-step productivity method can feel overwhelming. Eat the Frog is a simple approach you can fall back on at any time with almost zero prep work.
  • It sets you up for an easy “win” at the start of your day. Any day you “eat your frog” is a good day. Tackle a difficult, important task first thing to gain momentum and motivation for the remainder of your day.
  • It allows you to set your own agenda. Rather than beginning your day in a reactive mode — responding to emails and addressing the needs of others — put your highest-priority task first on your daily agenda before other requests take you in other directions.
  • It provides space for deep work. Eat the Frog forces you to push back against external and internal distractions and focus on one task at a time while prioritizing actions that will bring you closer to your goals.

Additional Considerations

Here are tips to help you consistently and successfully apply this simple time management technique.

  • When choosing your frog/MIT, consider that these are typically tasks that are important but not urgent—the type of task that creates mental resistance and leads to procrastination if you don’t intentionally create space for it.
  • Choose a task you’ll be able to complete in 1-4 hours. A frog should be clearly defined and realistic, only requiring a few hours, tops. If the task can’t be completed in 1-4 hours, it needs to be broken down into smaller steps.

Below are additional resources that may help you establish a time management approach that works for you. Keep an eye out for additional posts in the Time Management Blog Series that dive into the Eisenhower Matrix, time blocking and more. Do you have other time management tips? Share in the comments section — your ideas may be just the thing another person needs to succeed with time management.

Additional Resources

Time Management Blog Series: Pomodoro Technique (SourceLive blog post)

Sources

Kane, Becky. Eat the Frog. Retrieved March 18, 2022, from https://todoist.com/productivity-methods/eat-the-frog.

Tracy, Bryan. Eat That Frog: Brian Tracy Explains the Truth About Frogs. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.briantracy.com/blog/time-management/the-truth-about-frogs/.

Campus flowers

Spring Event Roundup

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

There isn’t a better time than Spring to explore, improve, and enjoy everything MSU has to offer as the weather warms up and the sun peeks through the clouds.

Looking for a reason to get outside? MSU Horticulture and Gardens is taking advantage of the April showers and May flowers. You should too!

  • Check out the 2022 garden displays in the Beal Gardens on the East Lansing campus, and learn from MSU Horticulture expert and garden manager Daedre McGrath about what was planted and why by reading this article.
  • Dive into even more about the flora in the Beal Gardens with an MSU Libraries event in May called Wild Foods and the Salad Bar of Spring. Bring your family and friends to a stroll through the dos and don’ts of growing your own vegetables.
  • If you love what you saw in the gardens, mark your calendar for the annual Horticulture Gardens Plant Sale on May 14 at the Plant and Soil Sciences Building. You can even become a Garden Member to shop the sale early and receive 10% off. 

After a day of Spring cleaning, grab a well deserved break at one of the many offerings this season at Wharton Center:

  • MSU’s Music Department is celebrating 150 years of bands with a grand performance on April 30. Purchase tickets and view the seating map here.
  • The Wharton is hosting two Broadway caliber touring shows in the next few months so make sure to pick up your tickets for Dear Evan Hanson and Ain’t Too Proud before they sell out.

No matter the season, prioritizing your health and wellness is always important, and MSU has the tools to help faculty and staff year round:

  • For the first time in two years, Rest with Music at the Abrams Planetarium is back. Discover the healing properties of music once a month in person or on Health4U’s Facebook Live. 
  • MSU’s IM facilities are great places to start preparing for a summer hike, swim or bike ride and offer discounted rates for staff. Visit their website for rates, capacity trackers, and up to date hours, which change after the conclusion of the Spring Semester. 

As always, if you are looking to improve some of your soft work skills or discover a new passion for work, professional development is for you.

Go out and explore this spring, but don’t forget your allergy pills!