Job of the Week: Security Operations Coordinator/Crime Analyst

This week’s featured job is for a Security Operations Coordinator/Crime Analyst for MSU’s Department of Police and Public Safety (posting 891495). The Department of Police and Public Safety makes an active effort to maintain an environment where all people on campus feel respected, protected and heard. 

This position will serve the Department of Police and Public Safety by monitoring access control systems and intrusion detection systems, including building safety or automation systems related to infrastructure safety and personal security. The future Security Operations Coordinator/Crime Analyst will need to access and review security video while also fielding calls in support of campus security operations.

The Security Operations Coordinator/Crime Analyst will also oversee MSU DPPS’s Cadet Desk.. The Cadet Desk is staffed by all MSU students who are passionate about criminal justice and law enforcement. They must also train all cadets to ensure they possess the ability to multitask and be able to perform their job duties during emergency situations.  

The ideal candidate should have a four-year college degree in intelligence analysis, criminal justice or related field or equivalent education. One to three years of related experience is also recommended.

To learn more about the Department of Police and Public Safety, visit their website. To apply for the position, please provide a resume, cover letter and at least three professional references on the MSU Careers Website

September Events Round-Up

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

September 1- MSU Football Season Opener: The Spartans kickoff their first game of the season at 7 PM against Central Michigan University. 

September 8- Fall Opening Party at the Broad Art Museum: Experience the many offerings of your campus art museum! You’re invited to explore our newest exhibitions while enjoying food, music, special guests, and activities for all. Registration for this free event is encouraged.

September 14- Masterworks 1: Dvorak New World Symphony: The 94th season at the Wharton Center begins with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Ticket prices are available on the Wharton Center website.

Learning Opportunities

September 7- Engaging Teams for Maximum Performance: Developing a shared vision of success is a critical factor in boosting team performance. Methods of building trust, setting goals and providing feedback to help enhance employee engagement and working relationships will be shared in this virtual session.

September 14- Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Restoration of the Red Cedar River:  Join Beal Botanical Gardens Director, Dr. Prather, for a lunchtime tour to learn about the Red Cedar River’s restoration efforts.

September 20- Family Employee Resource Group: Family Resources for Learning Disabilities in K-12: Join this virtual session with Andrea Beachneau, Regional Parent Mentor with the Michigan Alliance for Families, and Greg Molenda, Director of Technical Assistance for the Ingham Intermediate School District to learn about resources for K-12 students with learning disabilities. 

Health and Wellness 

September 6: Fresh Air Fitness: Yoga in the Beal Garden: The fall series of Yoga in the Beal Garden begins, stretching throughout the month of September. Registration is recommended for this free event. 

September 7: Ergonomic Best Practices for Work-Station Comfort and Safety: Identify common workplace stressors and learn the best practices for developing an ergonomically friendly workspace. This zoom seminar requires registration. 

September 12: Understanding Sleep and Optimizing Your Nightly Reboot: Discuss the physiological importance of sleep through this free virtual course with MSU Health4U. 

September 25- Active Office Workshop: Learn about the best practices for physical activity in the workplace and develop a culture of movement through this virtual seminar. 

Family-Friendly Activities

September 2- Family Day: BALANCE: Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the Broad Art Museum. All ages are welcome. Registration for this free event is encouraged.

September 23-25- Spartan Family Weekend: The MSU and Spartan Family Connections is hosting its inaugural Spartan Family Weekend Presented by MSUFCU Friday, Sept. 23 through Sunday, Sept. 25. The weekend will include social and academic opportunities to explore campus and the MSU community with your Spartan and to celebrate with families from across the country and around the world! Registration for this event is required. 

Job of the Week: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Practitioner

This week’s featured job is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner/Nurse Practitioner through the College of Human Medicine (posting 891932). The College of Human Medicine is committed to educating physicians and scholars, discovering and disseminating new knowledge and providing primary and specialty care for all. 

This position will serve the College of Human Medicine by assessing and planning medical care in collaboration with MSU neonatologists, accurately reporting patient care and collaborating with the health care team to coordinate care for patients and their families. The future Neonatal Nurse Practitioner will also attend high-risk deliveries and resuscitate/stabilize newborn patients.

The Neonatal Nurse Practitioner will also provide leadership and open communication through clinical supervision and resident education. They must also contribute to research by supporting and participating in research activities along with applying their findings in practice and teaching.

The ideal candidate should possess knowledge equivalent to one or two years of post-bachelor degree work such as a Masters in Nursing. The position also requires possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse and specialty certification as a Nurse Practitioner in the State of Michigan. 

To learn more about the College of Human Medicine, visit their website. To apply for the position, please provide a resume and cover letter on the MSU Careers Website by September 5. 

Job of the Week: Extension 4-H Program Coordinator

This week’s featured job is an Extension 4-H Program Coordinator for the Michigan State University Extension (posting 887434). MSU Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge of MSU directly to individuals, businesses and communities. 

This position will serve MSU Extension by working alongside the 4-H staff to ensure alignment of program goals and promote the visibility of 4-H. The future Program Coordinator will also recruit and train volunteers who will conduct direct programming with youth. 

The ideal candidate should possess a Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in program development and management in 4-H or other youth development programs. It also recommended that they have volunteer management experience.

To learn more about MSU Extension, visit their website. To apply for the position, please provide a resume, cover letter and at least four professional references on the MSU Careers Website by August 29. 

Welcome to a New Academic Year

Christina Brogdon, Vice President of MSU Human Resources

Dear Spartan Colleagues,

I am pleased to welcome everyone to a new academic year. The fall semester always provides a sense of newness and hope. As we look forward to the new opportunities that lie ahead, we will undoubtedly reflect on the past and what we experienced together—successes and challenges, joys and tragedies. It’s important to remember that healing is not linear, nor is it quick, but I am grateful that we have each other for support through it all.

This fall, I am especially excited about HR’s opportunity to invest further in talent management, a key contributor in making MSU HR a thriving, transformative and engaged business unit implementing strategic people solutions with great care. The first is New Hire Orientation for support staff, with sessions starting this month. The innovative full-day program will transform how we welcome and support new employees at MSU. The program will cover essential topics such as employee benefits, payroll, information technology access, and RVSM. These sessions will foster a sense of belonging and empowerment while advancing MSU’s 2030 Strategic Plan in Staff Success and DEI.

I am also excited for HR’s new Director of Talent, Sherri Reese! This role is new to HR and was developed in response to the Strategic Plan’s objective for the university to become an employer of choice. Beginning October 1, Sherri will be responsible for the oversight, organization and implementation of strategic talent management initiatives related to recruitment, onboarding, consultation, and workforce planning. She will help lay the foundation for the future development of a robust Business Partner approach. Business partners will better support unit HR needs by collaborating and advising on all aspects of talent acquisition and management.

Thank you for your continued dedication and Spartan Will to the University, our students, and our land-grant mission. On behalf of Human Resources, I wish you a safe, healthy, and successful academic year in which you take advantage of fresh opportunities and new beginnings.

Go Green!

Christina Brogdon, PHR
Vice President of Human Resources

Your Top Questions About MSU’s Optional Retirement Plans

Whether this is your first job out of school, or you’ve been working for 40+ years, it’s important to make sure you’re taking advantage of every opportunity to prepare for your eventual retirement. Most benefit-eligible employees* are aware of and enrolled in the 403(b) Base Retirement Program (BRP) offered by MSU, which consists of a 5% employee contribution of your eligible compensation and a generous university matching contribution of 10% – an immediate two for one match of your investment – for a total contribution of 15%. While this provides a great foundation for your retirement savings, most employees will eventually want to consider additional savings options for their retirement.

In addition to the BRP, eligible employees also have the option of enrolling in two additional retirement programs: the 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Program and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Enrollment in one or both optional programs can help employees meet their retirement savings goals so they can more easily transition to retirement.

We’ve compiled a list of the top questions we receive as employees think about enrolling in these optional plans:

  • Q: Is there a minimum amount that must be contributed to one of the optional plans? What about a maximum amount?

    A: Employees may elect any percentage contribution, as all contributions are based on a percentage of eligible pay. For example, 1.50% would be an acceptable contribution election. Employees wishing to contribute a certain amount, such as $100 per paycheck, can use the calculating tool for converting a dollar amount to a percentage.

    Maximum contribution amounts are set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) each year. Information on current IRS limits, including Age 50 Catch-up contributions, can be reviewed at maximizing your retirement plan contributions.
  • Q: Does contributing a small amount – such as $25 a month – make a difference in the long run?

    A: We encourage employees to work with their financial advisors or retirement vendors for assistance in deciding how much more to contribute. You may be surprised how a small contribution over a long period of time can impact your retirement account balance and may want to take advantage of compounding earnings as you save for retirement.
  • Q: What are the main differences between the 403(b) Supplemental and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan?

    A: Generally, the differences are when an individual can access the funds and the loan provisions. Also, the 403(b) Supplemental contributions must be added with the Voluntary 403(b) Base contributions when calculating the IRS maximum contributions, whereas the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan has a separate IRS maximum limit. A more detailed comparison of the two different optional accounts can be found in the Retirement Plans Comparison chart.
  • Q: Can I enroll in an optional retirement plan account at any time?

    A: Yes, retirement plan elections can be made at any time. This includes beginning or canceling enrollment, increasing or decreasing contribution percentages, and changing vendors. Depending on payroll schedules and deadlines there may be a delay when the contributions start/stop. More detailed information can be found on the HR website at Enroll or Make Changes to Retirement Plans.

For more information about available retirement plans from MSU, please review the retirement resources on the HR website and the MSU Retirement Plans Enrollment Guide. Find instructions to enroll in these optional retirement plans at any time throughout the year. Please contact the HR Solutions Center with any questions at SolutionsCenter@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.

*Note: Certain types of employees are excluded to participate in the 403(b) Retirement Plan. Please see the 403(b) Base Retirement Program Eligibility Chart for more detail. 

Job of the Week: International Business Center Assistant Director

This week’s featured job is an International Business Center Assistant Director position through the Eli Broad College of Business (posting 885237). The Eli Broad College of Business works to create and disseminate knowledge through collaboration and develop global transformational leaders who positively impact organizations and society. 

This position will serve the College of Business by coordinating promotional activities, organizing programs for faculty/students and developing the Unit’s budget with the University’s General Fund budget. The future International Business Center Assistant Director will also provide work direction to staff along with discussing contractual matters with external agencies/businesses.

The Assistant Director should have knowledge equivalent to a 4-year business degree or in a related field. Three to five years of related experience is also preferred for the position. 

To learn more about the Eli Broad College of Business, visit their website. To apply for the position, please submit a resume, letter of application and at least three professional references on the MSU Careers Website by August 29. 

Back-to-School Discounts for the 2023-24 School Year

Whether your family loves shopping for back to school, or they dread it every year, MSU Benefits Plus has you covered. All benefit-eligible employees can log into the MSU Benefits Plus portal with their MSU email address, and find dozens of discounts to get you and your family heading back to school in style without paying full price. 

Below are just a few examples of what might be useful this time of year. 

Computer & Electronics

Technology is now an essential part of the school supply list so enjoy extra savings on those investments through a variety of retailers, even here at MSU. 

  • Apple: Employee pricing on everything you purchase
  • HP: Up to 62% off computers and accessories
  • Dell: Up to 30% off using the Member ID PS113067902
  • Lenovo: Back to School savings of up to 72% off until August 20!
  • MSU Tech Store: Purchase all kinds of tech with prices exclusive to MSU staff, faculty, and students

Clothing and Apparel

Everyone wants a great outfit for their first day of school, whether you’re a student, an educator, or even if it’s just another day at the office. 

  • Bombas: 20% off with code CORE20 (plus a pair is donated with every pair purchased!) 
  • Crocs: Save $20 off a purchase of $100 or more using the code SAVE20
  • Spartan Spirit Shops: Visit any Shop in person and show your Faculty/Staff ID for 20% off!

Education 

Learn a new skill, stock up on textbooks for those fall courses, and show your Spartan spirit, all at a discount through these local organizations. 

For all of these discounts and more visit the HR Website or the MSU Benefits Plus portal. Employees can also call Benefits Plus at 888-758-7575 with any questions. Back to School is on at Michigan State!

Job of the Week: Clerical Aide

This week’s featured job is a temporary Clerical Aide position through MSU Human Resources (posting 884578). MSU Human Resources works to provide strategic human resources expertise, counsel and support services for the MSU Community. 

This position will serve MSU Human Resources by processing employment transactions in the HR/Payroll system, reviewing criminal background checks and assisting departments in understanding employment policy along with contractual and legal compliance. The future Clerical Aide will also process timely reports that affect the records of students and temporary/on-call employees. 

The Clerical Aide must be qualified for secretarial, receptionist, bookkeeping, information processing or related clerical tasks. Required hours vary for on-campus and off-campus positions. 

To learn more about MSU Human resources, visit their website. To apply for the position, visit the posting directly on the MSU Careers Website by August 9. A resume and cover letter are recommended, but not required.

August Events Round-Up

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

Resistance Training: Arts, Sports, and Civil Rights to Open at Broad Art Museum: A new exhibition will be available at the Broad Art Museum from August 19-February 2024. The exhibition explores the shared values between artists and athletes in the advancement of social justice-related issues.

August 27- Sparticipation: Come to MSU’s annual involvement fair that features over 500 student organizations, 30 departments and sponsors. This free event is a great way to kick off any Spartan’s journey. 

Learning Opportunities

August 10- Leading WIth Cultural Competence: MSU HR is hosting an in-person event on recognizing elements of self-awareness, eliminating/countering stereotypes and reinforcing behaviors that support cultural competency.

August 10- Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Beal Botanical Garden Staff Favorites: Join staff at the Beatl Botanical Gardens for a lunchtime tour (12:10-12:55 p.m.) of their favorite plants and what makes them special. 

August 16- Strategic Planning Seminar: MSU HR is hosting a leadership that focuses on taking your ideas and turning them into action. Join online from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

August 22- Identify and Maximize Your Strengths Seminar: Complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment to tap into your full potential and talents. Join this seminar in-person from 1:00-5:00 p.m. 

August 24- THATCamp: THATCamp (The Humanities and Technology Camp) is an opportunity to start the semester with peers and experts by sharing knowledge and experiences in humanities and technology-related fields. This event will be from 8:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Registration is encouraged. 

Health and Wellness

August 3- Deepening Your Essential Skills: Register for this free course brought to you by Health4U via Zoom to deepen and develop your essential skills. This meeting is scheduled for 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM. 

Yoga in Beal Garden II: This second phase of yoga in the Beal Botanical Gardens will work to accommodate a workday schedule and promote being active. Yoga in the Beal Garden will run from July 12- August 16, every Wednesday starting at 12:15 pm. 

August 25- Let Your Summer Produce Shine: Discover local produce and Michigan fruit availability and how to incorporate produce in the kitchen. This is a free in-person event and will be hosted at the MSU Union. 

Family-Friendly Activities

August 5- Family Day: MOVE: Make creative connections with our exhibitions through free hands-on and interactive family fun throughout the museum. All ages are welcome. Registration for this free event is encouraged.

August 14- Open House at the MSU Bug House: Visit the MSU Bug House on Monday, August 14 between 5:30 and 7:30 pm! All are welcome. Registration is required.