Author: MSU Human Resources

Job of the Week: Esports Production and Content Coordinator

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This week’s featured job is for an Esports Production & Content Coordinator for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (job posting 906596). The College of Communication Arts and Sciences offers world-class training to students through active engagement in translational research that influences health, environment, media, technology, business and public affairs across the nation and around the world. 

Esports at MSU is growing fast, with a solid foundation that includes a student-led Esports Club with nearly 1,500 students. MSU is launching university-supported varsity teams in Rocket League, Valorant, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. This position will serve the College of Communication Arts and Sciences by developing and implementing a comprehensive esports broadcasting program that includes live streams, pre-recorded media, and social media content. You will coordinate the scheduling and broadcast of all esports events and tournaments along with managing broadcast equipment and ensuring all hardware and software are up-to-date and functioning properly.

The department is looking for a candidate with knowledge equivalent to that which would normally be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Graphic Arts or a business related field. You should have at least three to five years of expansive work experience in publications production, advertising, public and media relations, writing, or editing; familiarity with computer applications relating to word processing, phototypesetting, design, and page layout; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

To learn more, visit the College of Communication Arts and Sciences website. To apply for the position, please submit a resume and cover letter to the MSU Careers website by October 31. 

Person holding a sign that says, "Hello my pronouns are..."

Happy International Pronouns Day!

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This article was written in partnership with the EVPA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Today is International Pronouns Day! Using correct pronouns respects each other’s identity and fosters inclusivity. Pronouns are used every day to communicate with one another in and out of the workplace, and often they are assigned based on pre-conceived biases and perceptions. By educating about personal pronouns, we promote understanding and celebrate everyone’s intersecting identities.

What is International Pronouns Day? 

International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. This day raises the MSU community’s awareness to be gender inclusive and reminds us of the basic human dignity of appreciating and celebrating everyone’s multiple, intersecting identities. As we explore the significance of this day, learn about how MSU is implementing changes to promote gender inclusivity to create a beneficial environment for all. For more information, you can visit https://pronounsday.org. 

How can I contribute to a gender-inclusive environment? 

  • Speak and write in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender, or gender identity and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes 
  • Share your pronouns when introducing yourself to people or during meetings 
  • Don’t make assumptions; ask people to share their pronouns 
  • Always use the pronouns that a person asks you to use 
  • Include your pronouns in your email signature or other digital communications 
  • Complete the Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion online education program 

What events are being held across campus? 

What action is the university taking to advance gender inclusion? 

  • MSU IT announced this summer the roll-out of Microsoft Spartan 365 pronoun options as part of Michigan State University’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive campus community. With these changes, you will now have the option to customize and display your pronouns in your Spartan 365 profile to appear in Outlook and Teams. Learn more. 
  • At MSU, we are committed to ensuring your identity is accurately represented and respected throughout our campus community while maintaining privacy. Additionally, there’s work underway with the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, along with the Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration to advance the name, gender, pronoun data policy recommendations across our information technology systems. We are collaborating with the project management office and system owners to create an implementation road map to advance the policy requirements across enterprise data systems. 
  • In the interim, MSU encourages all employees to indicate their gender pronouns, if desired, on email signatures and other written communication.  

Are there resources to explore this further? 

We look forward to continuing our work – together – to foster a culture that C.A.R.E.S (communication, appreciation, respect, empathy, and sensitivity). 

Job of the Week: Reuse and Recycling Special Equipment Mechanic

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This week’s featured job is for a Reuse and Recycling Special Equipment Mechanic for the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center in the Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) unit (job posting 904592). IPF builds, maintains and beautifies MSU’s physical campus environment in support of the university’s education, research and outreach missions. The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center manages MSU’s waste as a resource through an integrated system of reuse, recycling, collaboration, and education.

This position will serve IPF by adjusting, servicing, maintaining, and rebuilding special complex automotive and heavy-duty equipment, including the most complex repairs and maintenance. You will work with front-load waste and recycling trucks, roll-off trucks, box trucks, dump trucks, loaders, fork-lifts, balers, compactors, and containers.. You will also order and stock parts/supplies, track inventory and conduct preventative maintenance training. 

The duties of this job will require frequent lifting of 50-75 pounds, pushing, pulling, and climbing. Along with the physical demands of the job, you will need eight years of experience in the trade, including two years as State-certified Special Vehicle and Equipment Mechanic I or equivalent. You must also possess State of Michigan certification as a Master Mechanic in Automotive, Heavy and Light Duty Trucks. 

To learn more, visit the Infrastructure Planning and Facilities website and the MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center website. To apply for the position, please submit a current resume detailing relevant experience and licenses to the MSU Careers Website by October 24. 

Happy World Mental Health Day!

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October 10 is World Mental Health Day. While mental health is one of the cornerstones of health and well-being, it can often fall off the list of priorities at work. The World Health Organization has established the theme of “our minds, our rights” to promote mental health as a basic human right.  

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

Work should never be a reason to neglect your mental health, however, a busy schedule may make resources seem inaccessible. In honor of World Mental Health Day, here are some resources you can use at MSU and in your personal life.  

MSU Resources: 

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

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

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

Local Resources: 

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

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

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

Your mental health matters and MSU resources and benefits are available to get you—or keep you—on the path to a healthy body and healthy mind. 

Job of the Week: Academic Department Advisor

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This week’s featured job is for an Academic Department Advisor to join the Department of Accounting and Information Systems in the Broad College of Business (job posting 90317). The Broad College of Business develops global business leaders who positively impact organizations and society. The Department of Accounting and Information Systems degree programs consistently rank among the top in the nation. In this position, you will play an integral role in supporting our distinguished academic programs, faculty, staff, and students.  

This job may be a good fit if you are highly collaborative, extremely responsive, detail-oriented, and technologically savvy. You will oversee the operations of the unit, manage fiscal planning and procedures, and act as the unit’s fiscal officer. Other duties include serving as office manager and supervisor to support staff, facilitating human resources activities, and overseeing academic program management.

The department is looking for a candidate with knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a bachelor’s degree in a business-related field. You should have at least three to five years of related experience in office administration and experience in a supervisory role. Experience with MSU policies and procedures, including academic and non-academic hiring policies and procedures and budget processes, is desired but not required to apply.

To learn more about the college and department, visit the Broad College of Business website and the Department of Accounting and Information Systems website.. To apply for the position, please submit a cover letter and resume to the MSU Careers Website by October 17. 

Job of the Week: Deputy Secretary of Academic Governance

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This week’s featured job is for a Deputy Secretary for Academic Governance for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs (posting 897202). The Office for Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs focuses on advancing institutional culture and supporting faculty goals while promoting MSU’s overall mission.

This position will serve Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs by preparing and distributing agendas for university-level committees, proofreading and formatting office communications and scheduling meetings with the Secretary for Academic Governance and university leaders. The future Deputy Secretary for Academic Governance will also assist the Secretary for Academic Governance in administering the nominations and elections of faculty to various university-level committees and assist faculty in navigating the academic governance process.

Additional responsibilities may include student employment recruitment, training and supervision, presenting to faculty and staff on current policies, and serving as backup to other administrative staff. 

The Deputy Secretary for Academic Governance is self-motivated, highly organized, and capable of managing and prioritizing multiple tasks without supervision. They should have a bachelor’s degree or a technical degree. The ideal candidate would also have three to five years of project management experience along with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

To learn more about Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, visit their website. To apply for the position, please submit three professional references, a resume and a professional writing sample on the MSU Careers Website by October 10. 

October Events Round-Up

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Are you looking for activities for you and your family in the upcoming month? There are events (in-person and virtual) on campus and in the Greater Lansing community. Many events require registration, so be sure to click the links to learn more.

Campus Events 

October 3- To Kill A Mockingbird: The Wharton Center will be hosting “To Kill a Mockingbird” in the Cobb Great Hall from October 3-8. Ticket prices are available on the Wharton Center website. 

October 12- MSU Broad Art Museum: Game Changers (free): Take a tour through “Resistance Training: Arts, Sports, and Civil Rights” and discuss gender inequality in sports while learning about the “game-changing” legislation that redefined sports. 

October 12- Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Fall and Winter Plant Lore (free):  Join Beal Botanical Garden’s Educational Program Director, Maeve Bassett, for a lunchtime tour to learn how the plants stay protected in the colder months. 

October 29- MSU Men’s Basketball Charity Exhibition Game: The Spartans will be facing off with the Tennesse Volunteers for an exhibition game with all proceeds going to Hawaii Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund to provide financial resources to local relief efforts.

Learning Opportunities

October 1- Midjourney AI Art Workshop 1: Introduction to Generative AI Art with Midjourney (free): This foundational session will serve as an introduction to AI art through guided demonstrations and exercises. 

October 12- Post-Parental Leave Employee Resource Group (free): Join this session to learn about what work-life balance looks like after parental leave. Learn about MSU’s remote and hybrid work policies and how to develop a flexible work arrangement. 

October 13- Open Virtual Reality (free): Whether you’re a first-timer or a VR professional, MSU Libraries VR Open Hours are for you! Connect with others and learn about virtual reality during this in-person course.

Health and Wellness

October 4- Mindfulness in the Workplace: Learn the basics of mindfulness and how you can benefit from a mindful work environment in this virtual course. 

October 4- Raising Good Eaters: The Feeding Relationship: This series will serve as a problem-solving course in learning how to feed your children and identify eating/feeding skills.

October 12- Open Enrollment Benefits Fair: MSU benefit providers and MSU HR staff will be available to answer questions and/or help employees enroll in their benefits on-site at the Breslin Student Events Center. 

October 15- MSU College of Law Justice For All 5K Walk/Run: The second annual Justice For All 5K Walk/Run will be held at 1:00 PM on October 15. The course will lead participants through MSU’s campus with donations going to Legal Services of South Central Michigan.

Family-Friendly Activities

October 1- Meridian Heritage Festival: Celebrate the community’s history with a day of entertainment, demonstrations, games, and exhibits from Native American and early American cultures featuring games and a Civil War Reenactment Presentation. 

October 7- Family Day: TEAM: Make creative connections at the Broad Art Museum with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum.

October 7- Grand Ledge Fall Festival: Celebrate fall in Grand Ledge with crafters, vendors, food trucks, entertainment, pumpkins, handmade items, baked goods, pony rides, pottery, candles, jewelry, and much more. 

Job of the Week: Communication Arts and Sciences Research Administrator

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This week’s featured job is a Research Administrator for the College of Communications Arts and Sciences (posting 900683). The College of Communication Arts and Sciences offers world-class training to students through active engagement in translational research that influences health, environment, media, technology, business and public affairs across the nation and around the world.

This position will serve the College of Communication Arts and Sciences by providing backup to the Research Administration Manager, reviewing proposals for completeness and accuracy and evaluating existing policies and procedures to make further improvements. The future Research Administrator will also work with Principal Investigators to establish proposal timelines and review Request for Proposal.

The Research Administrator will also manage departmental research accounts and work closely with the Research Fiscal Officer on expenses, reconciliations and other financial questions/concerns on the accounts that they manage. This position features a hybrid schedule and the selected candidate will be expected to be in the office a minimum of two days per week 

The Research Administrator should have a four-year college degree in a related field. The ideal candidate would also have 5-8 years of related experience in research administration with at least three years in a university setting. 
To learn more about the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, visit their website. To apply for the position, please provide a resume and cover letter on the MSU Careers Website by October 3. 

Leadership Series: Leaning Into Change

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

I invite you to take a fresh perspective on leading change by starting with yourself and how you lead change. We are experiencing unprecedented change on many levels, across many organizations and systems, which puts pressure on both you and your teams. Creating collaborative teams, internally and cross-functionally, will help you lead change in a new way. Start down the path by considering the following questions:

Are you treating the symptoms or tackling the root cause of the issues?

Bring your teams together to consider the root cause of problems or improvements. Connecting improvements throughout the organization to individuals can increase engagement and create value for your stakeholders.

Does everyone on your team understand expectations and how to participate in improvement?

Imagine empowering and unleashing the potential of your entire team by inviting them to work on what really matters in a way that is supported by trusting those who know the most about the issues and can make direct contributions that have a positive impact.

Do you expect continuous improvement in your daily work?

Consider ways to systematically improve even “small” thorny issues to enhance efficiency and your team’s experience in day-to-day processes. Don’t underestimate the power of recognizing your employees for excellent work even during the everyday—it’s a great way to boost engagement and maintain momentum!

Do you practice inclusion by having representatives of all of your key stakeholders?

Be holistic in solving problems and making improvements. Include representatives from each key area that may be involved in your project or process to ensure the best outcome for improvement and performance, which also builds rapport and trust—especially those that perform the actual work.

Lean into change regardless of the scope and create a path:

  1. Define – Identify the problem, the desired state, the team to be involved in the process, and their roles. A RACI chart is helpful in determining who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.
  2. Do and Document – Kaizen means to take apart-“Kai” and put back together- “Zen.” Lead with intention and remember—there are no bad people or information. Focus on the facts of the problem and model problem-solving and enhancement of services. Document the process as you go, identify improvement areas, and communicate with stakeholders regularly.
  3. Measure and Compare—verify improvement. Anything that does not add value (time, money, energy) should be eliminated wherever possible. Measuring improvement is an important step and promotes transparency, even during everyday processes.
  4. Standardize the new process, system, and action. Use visual tools, dashboards, and posters to reinforce the processes. Promapp is a great system of record to do all of that.

Celebrate success! Be sure to monitor continuously as situations change and embark on improvements.

“Change leadership is the ability to influence and inspire action in another, and respond with vision and agility during periods of growth, disruption or uncertainty to bring about the needed change. “ Yvonne Ruke Akpoveta

Sources

Balzer, W., Francis, D., Krehbiel, T., Shea, N. A review and perspective on lean in higher education. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/William-Balzer/publication/308000035_A_review_and_perspective_on_Lean_in_higher_education/links/5ea32ac6299bf112560c188d/A-review-and-perspective-on-Lean-in-higher-education.pdf

Jenkins, Alison. Advancing lean leadership. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/advancing-lean-leadership#

Neumeyer, Adrian. Create a RACI chart so everyone knows their role. https://www.tacticalprojectmanager.com/raci-chart-explanation-with-example

Job of the Week: Senior Director of Communications and Marketing

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This week’s featured job is a Senior Director of Communications and Marketing for University Advancement (posting 896429). University Advancement works to promote MSU’s excellence and enrich its future by building a culture of engagement and philanthropy. 

This position will serve University Advancement by promoting the university’s upcoming multi-billion dollar capital campaign and overseeing successful communications and marketing strategies across a range of platforms. The future Senior Communications and Marketing Director will also direct strategies for University Advancement including alumni/campaign communications, brand management and social media marketing. 

This position also comes with characteristic duties and responsibilities, including implementing comprehensive content and communications strategies for maximizing philanthropy and engagement with MSU and prioritizing the donor experience. They would also set clear direction for personnel while monitoring the budget.

The Senior Communications and Marketing Director should have a four-year degree, though a master’s degree is preferred, but not required. Experience should include five to 8 years working in public relations, publication production, video production, advertising, graphic design, social media, communications analytics, or web design. Ideal applicants would also have experience working in higher education and/or communicating to a diverse audiences in consideration of best DEI practices. 

To learn more about University Advancement, visit their website. To apply for the position, please provide a resume and cover letter on the MSU Careers Website by October 5.