This week’s featured job posting from MSU Human Resources is a Retirement Analyst for Human Resources (Job Posting 783016). Human Resources provides strategic human resources expertise, counsel, support, and services for the MSU community.
The Retirement Analyst provides IRS compliance and plan monitoring, which requires the ability to maintain retirement limits in multi-step plans or a multiple vendor environment. They also counsel and aid HR units, faculty, staff, and retirees who encounter retirement, benefit, and financial issues. They will assist employees with acquiring any necessary retirement information, including eligibility and payroll instructions.
The selected candidate will also handle the processing of retirement and benefits transactions, including reviewing and approving Medicare validation, retirement loans, etc. They will also be responsible for developing and promoting educational activities for employees as needed.
Interested applicants should have a four-year degree in Human Resources Administration, Labor Industrial Relations, or a related field. The applicant should have one to three years of experience in human resources administration, data or statistical analysis, or program development in retirement plan administration. Though not required, it is helpful if the individual has a series 6 or 7 securities license and CEBS Certification. For a complete list of job duties and qualifications, click here.
To learn more about Human Resources, visit hr.msu.edu. To apply for this opening, prepare a cover letter and resume and submit your application here by June 7.
Do you feel like you’re busy all the time yet still not getting things done? Although you won’t always have control over your workload and assignments, further developing your time management skills can help you better manage your responsibilities and end each day with a feeling of productivity and accomplishment.
We’re highlighting various time management techniques over a series of blog posts to give you different tools to utilize depending on your needs, preferences and work style. The reality is that the best time management 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 Pareto Principle, also called the 80/20 Rule.
Pareto Principle: What It Is
Created by Italian economist, Vilfredo Pareto, the 80/20 rule proposes that 20% of actions are responsible for 80% of outcomes, a powerful reminder that the relationship between inputs and outputs is typically not balanced. Pareto’s theory of predictable imbalance has been applied to almost every aspect of modern life and can be especially useful when used to prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively.
How It Works
Unimportant and low-impact tasks tend to get in the way of important ones — the ones that could have a real impact on our career and organization — for one simple reason: Impactful tasks are usually much harder to complete in comparison to non-impactful tasks. To avoid what’s sometimes referred to as an “urgency trap,” take the time to step back from your work and look for the 20% of tasks that are the most critical and bring 80% of the results. For example:
What 20% of your tasks will truly help you advance in your career?
What 20% of your job responsibilities bring you the greatest satisfaction and feelings of accomplishment?
What 20% of your tasks contribute most toward your department’s and the university’s strategic goals and objectives?
Which one or two or your daily activities are responsible for 80% of your time wasted?
Who Will It Benefit?
While the 80/20 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’d describe yourself as an analytical thinker or problem solver.
You are often working on tasks other people want you to, but you have no investment in them.
You’re frequently working on tasks labeled “urgent.”
You’re spending time on tasks you are not usually good at doing.
Activities are taking much longer than you expected.
Additional Considerations
The 80/20 Rule works well alongside other time management techniques, including Eat the Frog, which we covered in a previous post. To briefly summarize: start every day with the task that seems most complex and challenging. No matter how tempting it might seem to do simple and small things first, always do the difficult tasks first to start your day off with a “win” and build momentum.
TIP
Despite the 80/20 name, don’t assume the numbers 20 and 80 add up to 100. Your 20% could create 5% or 30% or even 100% of a result. The main goal with the Pareto Principle is to recognize any input vs. output imbalances and prioritize investing your time in the actions that create the highest-impact outcomes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Style
Behavior
When to use
Do not use when
Authoritative
You 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).
Majority
You 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.
Consensus
You 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.
Delegate
You 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
