Job of the Week 8/31/18

This week’s job of the week is an Administrative Associate (#529257) for the College of Social Science. This position is seeking an individual to assist and facilitate operations, build growth in large academic units with diverse research and outreach activities.

The responsibilities for this role include managing administrative personnel, overseeing human resources actives for the department, and developing financial targets. Other responsibilities include serving as a chief fiscal officer for the unit, analyzing data, and establishing operational goals.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field; five or more years of extensive supervisory and management experience in an academic department or university setting; demonstrated leadership competencies, strong critical thinking, financial and analytical skills; excellent verbal and written communications and interpersonal skills; previous experience in research administration.

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 – 8/24/18

This week’s job of the week is an Engineer/Physicist Accelerator I (posting #527080) position for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB). Responsibilities for this position include communicating regularly with all cryogenic operators, performing preventive maintenance for assigned equipment, and keeping accurate records of maintenance or calibration tasks. You must be able to determine ways to optimize logic or systems without making them overly complex and continually strive to improve productivity, quality, and uniformity.

The ideal candidate would have knowledge normally acquired by completing a four-year college program in Systems or Computer Science; or Engineering or Physics, with coursework in Systems or Computer Science; one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work 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.

Source Newsletter – August 2018

In case you missed it, here are the August 2018 HR Source newsletters: Source Newsletter for Support Staff and Source Newsletter for Faculty, Academic Staff and Executive Management.

You can find older editions of the newsletter on the HR website.

Here are the headlines at a glance for this month’s Source:

Support Staff:


  • Welcome to a New Academic Year
  • Ask ALEX about Leave of Absence
  • Introducing MIBlue Skill for Amazon Alexa
  • Use WorkLife Office Resources in the New Academic Year
  • Paycheck Checkup – 2018 Federal Tax Changes
  • Educational Assistance: Proof of Payment for Non-Credit Course
  • New International Travel Insurance
  • Presidential Search
  • Applicant Tracking System Reporting Enhancement
  • Applicant Tracking System Navigation Updates
  • Support Staff Holiday Posting Schedule

Faculty and Academic Staff:


  • Welcome to a New Academic Year
  • Ask ALEX about Leave of Absence
  • Introducing MIBlue Skill for Amazon Alexa
  • Use WorkLife Office Resources in the New Academic Year
  • Paycheck Checkup – 2018 Federal Tax Changes
  • Transport Research Materials Across Campus
  • New International Travel Insurance
  • Presidential Search
  • Applicant Tracking System Reporting Enhancement
  • Applicant Tracking System Navigation Updates

Don’t leave this important item off your back-to-school checklist

August is more than back-to-school, it’s also National Eye Exam Month! While you’re getting all your back-to-school supplies, you might want to add the annual eye exam to the list. That’s where your vision insurance comes in.

Are you an MSU benefit-eligible employee? Are you enrolled in VSP Vision Care for 2018? Then you have access to coverage for everything from the annual eye exam to new prescription glasses. Make sure the kids start out the new school year right, and maybe get yourself that new set of frames you’ve been thinking about too!

Already use your coverage for your annual eye exam or prescription glasses? Not to worry, fall is also a great time to start planning ahead! MSU Benefits Open Enrollment starts October 1. Now is a great time to start thinking about what you might need for vision insurance next year and make sure you pick the plan that’s right for your family’s needs. VSP Vision Care offers two different plans – standard and premium. You can check out the benefits of both plans here. Note: Information is currently based on the 2018 plan year; check back in October for updated information for 2019.

For more information on VSP Vision Care, visit MSU Benefits Plus.

Job of the Week – 8/17/18

This week’s job of the week is an Analytics Admin and Outreach Coordinator (posting #522761) for the Office of the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education. This position is responsible for management of MSU’s advising analytics tool, student advising appointment calendar, case management system, and managing analytics projects related to undergraduate student success at MSU. The coordinator reports directly to the Assistant Dean for University Advising, as well as collaborating with other key stakeholders across campus.

The ideal candidate would have strong technical, personal, customer service and communication skills. Desired qualifications include a Master’s Degree in higher education, computer science, social sciences, or student affairs; with three to five years of related and progressively responsible or expansive post graduate 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.

Welcome new faculty and academic staff!

Are you a new faculty or academic staff member? Welcome to Michigan State! We know there’s a lot to take in, and the best place to start is at the 2018 New Faculty and Academic Staff Orientation on August 21, 2018.

Every year the Academic Advancement Network (AAN) hosts an orientation for new faculty and academic staff to familiarize you with all things MSU. This year’s orientation is Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. The orientation will be a full day event covering topics such as the history of MSU, campus resources, and important campus policies and information.

Registration and breakfast start at 7:30 a.m., with the orientation program running from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. During the break between 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m., make sure to come chat with our MSU Human Resources staff about your benefits, meet with MSUFCU representatives, and get a professional photo taken! From 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. there will be a luncheon with the Interim President, Provost, administrators, and incoming academics as well. There will be an information fair from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to answer any questions you may have from our academic units, associations, and organizations.

You can find more information about New Faculty and Academic Staff Orientation here. If you have any questions about orientation or need an invitation to register, you can contact the Academic Advancement Network’s Project Event Coordinator, Jill Bryant at AANevent@msu.edu or call 517-355-7483.

Fresh Starts and New (Academic) Years

This is a guest post written by Dr. Barbara Roberts, Executive Director, MSU WorkLife Office.

Fall has always felt like the real new year to me. The heat begins to abate and cozy fall clothes come out of the closet. Summer flowers make way for the more hearty autumn foliage, and barbecue menus give way to crisp apples. School starts, with new courses, books, apartments and friends, and as faculty and staff, we gear up to meet the new class and a year full of challenges and triumphs shared, both at home and at work.

This fall in particular, many of us look forward to a fresh start, after tumultuous spring and summer semesters. I want you to know that the WorkLife Office is here to help you with all of those transitions, added stresses and busy fall tasks as you start afresh. From relocating to a new home to locating care for children or elders, we can help.

Studies show we are more inclined to spend the same amount of money on objects that don’t provide happiness than on help that would save us time and energy. Turn over a new fall leaf in your favor, and try logging in to Care.com to find the support you need with in-home services like housecleaning, fall garden clean-ups, pet care, errands, etc. Let someone else help so you can do more of what brings you joy in this new academic year.

The WorkLife Office is also committed to helping connect you to the resources you need and connecting you to your community in meaningful ways. We are dedicated to helping you start this new year smoothly, honoring your work and personal lives with fresh approaches.

We encourage you to join our email list to keep updated on the many educational opportunities available to you through our office as well. Stay tuned for information about this year’s Fatherhood Forum, Women’s Networking Association and Academic Women’s Forum schedules, our annual WorkLife Conference – this year’s focus is on “Building Community in a Culture of Change,” and several Lunch and Learn workshops to help set you up for success this year!

Job of the Week 8/10/18

This week’s job of the week is a Health Information Technician (#522955) for the MSU Health Team Health Information Management/Medical Records department. This position is seeking an individual to analyze patient records, release health information and interact with insurance and legal agencies, among other duties. The responsibilities for this role include verifying handwritten medical notes, indexing and classifying documentation, and interacting with health care facilities and university personnel.

The ideal candidate would possess knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by a high school education, one to three years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in typing, word processing, database, spreadsheet and/or data entry applications, using archival equipment and knowledge of medical terminology and/or technical training related to the field of employment; 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.

Transport your Research Materials with Research Ride Shuttle

Will you be engaged in research this fall or spring semester? There are several services to help you get to and from your research activities. You can take advantage of the free on-campus bus service with CATA. But if you’re concerned about being able to transport your research animals and materials, the Research Ride Shuttle can assist you.

The Research Ride Shuttle is a complimentary service for faculty, staff, and students that are engaged in research activities. It allows you to bring animals and research materials on the ride. To ride the shuttle, you must make a reservation due to limited seating. To make a reservation, visit the shuttle’s website. Once you’ve confirmed your research activity, you’ll have access to the shuttle’s app on your phone and a GPS feature that allows you to track the shuttle at all times.

Shuttle Van

Shuttle locations and departures include the Administration Building, Anthony Hall/Trout, Biochemistry/Biophysics building, Vet Medical Center, the Clinical Center, and URCF. If you have any questions, contact shuttle@ora.msu.edu or access their website here.

Get extra savings with MSU Benefits Plus!

Do you know about the discounts offered through MSU Benefits Plus? All benefits-eligible MSU faculty and staff have access to these special savings. Here you’ll find discounts and special offers on a variety of products and services, such as hotels, car rentals, theme parks, entertainment and more!

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.

Here is a sample of some of the discounts you’ll find on the MSU Benefits Plus website:

Apple – Enjoy employee pricing on your favorite Apple products, including select SONOS systems! Take advantage of these exclusive prices.

AT&T – Take 17% off qualifying service plans including Mobile Share Flex. To register online, follow this link or visit any corporate-owned AT&T wireless store and refer to FAN number 2392567.

AVIS – Don’t pass up exclusive savings when renting a car for business or personal use. Save 10% on your AVIS rental when you book in advance. Use corporate code V947031 at any corporate AVIS location, or call 517-323-9132 or 517-372-8972.

Chrysler – MSU faculty and staff have access to exclusive rates on Chrysler vehicles. Get Preferred Pricing on all new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram Truck brand vehicle purchases or leases when you use company code DU8FT3. Enter the code on their website.

Disney – Save big on ticket packages to the house of mouse! Find deals for up to $60 off multi-day park admission or get free days when you buy Park Hopper passes in advance. Get more information on this deal.

Douglas J – Get ready for the new school year with the right look. MSU faculty and staff will receive 20% off services at the Douglas J Salon in East Lansing Exchange and East Lansing Aveda Institute locations. Present your MSU ID at checkout to redeem, learn more about Douglas J.

Enterprise Rental – Stay mobile when you’re on the road with 5% savings on Enterprise car rentals. Shop discounted rates automatically.

Connect Your Home – New customers receive up to $200 in Visa Gift Cards when they open a home-service account through AT&T, CenturyLink, COX, DIRECTV, DISH, Earthlink, Exede, Frontier, HughesNet, Spectrum, Vivint, Windstream, or Xfinity. Learn more about your rewards.

The Learning Care Group – Take advantage of exclusive savings of 10% off care for children ages 2-12 at all Learning Care Group schools. Eligible brands include Childtime Learning Centers, La Petite Academy, The Children’s Courtyard, Tutor Time, Montessori Unlimited, Creative Kids Learning Center, and Everbrook Academy. Learn more here.

Lenovo – Lenovo PCs are classroom ready! Now through September 19th, receive up to 38% off select A+ technologies and up to 50% off accessories that are sure to make the grade. Take care of your entire Back to School tech shopping list with special bundle pricing too. For more information check out their website.

Target – Shop for school supplies online from your favorite big red retailer and enjoy exclusive discounts. Save $5 off one item priced $50 or more when you shop Target online. Some exclusions apply. Discounts automatically applied with this link.

For more information on MSU Benefits Plus, visit the HR website. If you have any questions about the discounts, please call MSU Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575.