Tag: ipf

Spartans of Impact: Keeping Campus Safe This Winter

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This article was written by Sean Keast, Communications Coordinator for the Offices of the EVPA & Senior VP, CFO and Treasurer.

With over 50,000 students, and over 10,000 staff and faculty, MSU is comparable to a small city. Since its footprint is so large, MSU is home to a large variety of experts required not only for important research and academia but for daily operations as well. Recently, this expertise was displayed during adverse weather conditions, such as snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that MSU is all too familiar with. The winter weather can pose commuting hazards and delays, especially when driving on a blustery day. It’s no small feat to clear the over 200 miles of roads and sidewalks around the campus, MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Landscape Services department runs snow crews night and day to combat the elements.

“Our snow removal crew is exceptional, and they get the job done.” said Dan Bollman, Senior Vice President for Strategic Infrastructure Planning and Facilities, “On any given snow day, we deploy sixty-plus people across all of campus to ensure that students, faculty and staff can safely get to where they need to go.”

Christina Brogdon, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, said “The impact and significance of the Landscape Services team cannot be overstated. Dedicated and talented employees like them, are truly what makes MSU a special place to work – where every person, role, and contribution matters.”  

Outside of their regular campus maintenance duties throughout the year, snow and ice removal is handled primarily by the Landscape Services team. MSU’s “Snow Season” is between Nov. 1 and April 1, and during that period the staff at Landscape Services are on call in the event of snowfall. Year by year the demands change greatly, and rapid changes in weather conditions can cause shifts to be handed out with an hour’s notice or scheduled in eight-to-sixteen-hour blocks starting any time, day or night. During the winter months, Landscape Services staff start at five in the morning.

“We start that early so that we can beat the commute – people going to work, classes, etc. The crews take a lot of pride in it,” said Matthew Bailey, Service Manager for Landscape Services. “As a manager, taking care of the crews is just as important as the snow itself, and we work to keep the crews fed and comfortable during their odd hours. Whenever we have to call the crews in overnight, we give Brody Hall a call and let them know that we will have 60 or so people coming in for breakfast.” He laughed, “We’ve even run around with burgers or doughnuts before, making sure everyone gets fed.”

The commitment and pride demonstrated by the Landscape Services staff, under the leadership of individuals like Matthew Bailey, exemplifies a collective endeavor to navigate the unpredictable challenges the elements pose. Their dedication not only underscores the significance of teamwork but also mirrors the exceptional community spirit that defines Michigan State University.

Job of the Week: Transportation Services Motor Pool Manager

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a Transportation Services Motor Pool Manager position (posting 736792) through Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

This support staff position will manage the human resources, operational and financial activities of the Motor Pool. The individual is also responsible for maintaining accurate licensed vehicle records for the university fleet and verifies compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to vehicle ownership and operation. The Motor Pool Manager must understand and follow all IPF and University guidelines, rules, and policies governing personal conduct of employees, as well as all  policies related to licensed vehicle operation and ownership as documented in the Manual of Business Procedures. The position will engage in high performance, leading edge practices, which are innovative in their approach to increased stewardship and service excellence. The goal is to foster the mission, vision, and values of IPF and MSU. For a full list of responsibilities, click here. 

Applicants interested in this role must have knowledge normally acquired in the first two or three years of college, technical, or vocational school in business administration or a related area. Five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in supervising operational activities in an automotive or transportation service area is also required. Some related combination of education and experience may also be accepted. The applicant must also possess a valid vehicle operator’s license and must meet MSU safe driving standards. The desired qualifications for this role include experience and knowledge of facilities and municipal transportations operations, processes, and procedures as well as knowledge of University policies and practices. Effective oral and written communication skills, collaboration and problem solving skills, and familiarity with Asset Management systems, Microsoft Office 365, and a CAFM/CAFS fleet industry certification are also desired for applicants. The applicant should also be a creative and innovative learner with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population and collaborate well within a team environment. 

To read more about the department of this position, visit https://ipf.msu.edu/service-billing/service-catalog/transportation. Learn more about the position and apply with a cover letter and resume by September 29 here. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu. 

Job of the Week: Service and Maintenance

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring an On-Call Service Maintenance position (posting 697062) for the Landscape Services Department within Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

This support staff position assists in a wide variety of routine manual labor tasks related to general landscaping. This includes plant and tree care including preservation and treatments; grounds maintenance operations; mowing lawns and landscaped areas; collecting and disposing of debris; operating equipment used in landscape maintenance and construction; cutting weeds, brush and grass using hand and power equipment; performing landscaping installations including material, signs, site furniture, edging and boulders; operating trucks and trailers; transporting trees and plants; de-icing sidewalks; updating and maintaining MSU’s plant database; and participating in campus cleanup after sports events. This position will engage in High Performance, leading edge practices, which are innovative in their approach to increased Stewardship and Service Excellence For a full list of responsibilities, click here.

The expected qualifications for this role include a knowledge of tools, method, materials, and equipment used in grounds maintenance, a good driving record, the ability to work in variable weather conditions, frequent lifting of up to or more than 75 pounds, knowledge of computer terminology and the ability to use and access to the internet and mobile devices. The desired qualifications include experience in ground maintenance and snow removal, experience with the program ArcGIS Collector Application, a creative and innovative approach to learning and working, and a positive attitude toward teamwork. A resume must be submitted to complete an application.

To read more about the department of this position, visit www.ipf.msu.edu. Learn more about the position and apply by August 31 here. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu. 

Job of the Week: Surplus Worker

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a Surplus Worker position (posting 716855) at the Campus Surplus Store and Recycling Center through MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities Department.

This temporary position was created to help sort, load, unload, transport, count, move, store and prepare materials for recycling and surplus operations; to assist in operating recycling and surplus equipment and machinery; and to perform general cleaning and maintenance duties in related work areas. IPF’s Campus Surplus Store manages the collection and processing of 40 million pounds of reuse, recycling and waste materials annually. The surplus worker hired for this position will be responsible for using a best use model to carry out the actions needed for the recycling and sorting.

There are three primary categories of responsibilities for the position. The first category is “people,” in which the worker is to train, communicate and facilitate an environment that encourages service excellence. The second is “partnership,” in which the worker exchanges information with campus departments and promotes environmentally and fiscally responsible decision making. The third is “stewardship,” in which the worker coordinates the movements and display of MSU assets while promoting the department initiative of landfill diversion. Read a full list of responsibilities here.

The desired qualifications for the position include one year of experience in recycling, surplus, or related operations; working knowledge of tools, equipment and processes used in recycling or surplus operations; possession of a valid Michigan vehicle operator’s license and meet MSU’s safe driving standards and successfully drive a University vehicle to perform job duties; the ability to do frequent lifting of over 75 pounds; and a forklift operator certification or the ability to gain one.

To learn more about the work location, visit the MSU Surplus Store Website, and to learn more about the position and apply here, the application closes when the position is filled. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu.

Job of the Week: Skilled Trades Supervisor

Published on by Megan MacGregorLeave a comment

This week’s job of the week is a Skilled Trades Supervisor position (posting 702128) for MSU Infrastructure Planning and Facilities.

This position will supervise the Power & Water Instrument & Controls (I&C) Maintenance Department, which reports to the director of utilities. Additional responsibilities include direct supervision of skilled trades I&C technicians; coordinating activities of the assigned MSU Information Technology Services specialist; recruiting, hiring, evaluating, and training staff; resolving employee complaints and grievances; assisting in reviewing departmental budgets and developing financial projections and expenditures of funds; participating in long-range planning for departmental operations; and more. You must be able to demonstrate a willingness to build good relationships through strong interpersonal skills to achieve objectives through mutual participation.

The ideal candidate will have Knowledge normally acquired from specialized training such as that acquired in one year of college, technical, vocational, trade, or business school with coursework in a skilled trade or Business Management; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in supervision, management and in one or more of the skilled trades areas including electrical, mechanical, automotive, carpentry, upholstery, and plumbing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and may require the following licenses: Elevator Contractor’s License, Master Plumber License, Certified Mechanic License, Master Electrician License, or a Class S- 1 Operators License.

You can learn more about this position and apply here by May 18. Find all the latest job postings at careers.msu.edu.

Job of the Week: Laborer I

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week’s job of the week posting is for a Laborer I (Posting #694061) for Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF). IPF provides services like assisting in event coordination, landscaping, planning, design and construction, recycling, and more.

As a Laborer I, you will be responsible for performing, leading, and assisting seasonal staff in a variety of manual labor tasks related to general landscape, plant and tree care, preservation, and golf course maintenance and tournament/event setup operations as part of Forest Akers Golf Course. Other responsibilities include operating snow-removal vehicles and equipment, assisting in monitoring work areas to assure compliance with safety precautions, among others. The position is expected to work 40 hours per week from approximately April to November at $17.76–$18.69 per hour. This position is also expected to work at least every other weekend. Additional benefits are included as well as the possibility of working November through April 2022.

The Laborer I must drive a University vehicle to perform job duties of this classification. Ideal candidates must have a valid Michigan vehicle operator’s license and possess or attain MSU Forklift operator’s permit prior to completion of applicable probation or trial period. The candidate must also possess of attain a valid Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification in categories Turf (3A), Ornamental (3B), and Right of Way (6) within 6 months of hire date.

The ideal candidate also has a background (at least 1 year experience) in golf course maintenance, sports field turf maintenance or strong equivalent background in similar agricultural or construction equipment work.

For more details on the responsibilities of this position, and to view all our current postings, visit careers.msu.edu.

Job of the Week – Power Plant Technician I

Published on by MSU Human ResourcesLeave a comment

This week’s job of the week is a Power Plant Technician I (#636218) for MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF), specifically for the IPF Power and Water department. This position is seeking a results-oriented individual with strong problem-solving skills who possesses the ability to work both independently and within a team.

The responsibilities for this role include performing routine preventative maintenance functions such as overhaul and calibration of pressure gauges, transmitters, flow meters, pressure regulating valves, fluid control valves, mechanical operators, and other associated equipment. Additional responsibilities of this role include operating test equipment such as manometers, O2 analyzers, thermometers, and voltmeters, and operating power tools such as drills, grinders, hacksaws, tubing benders, etc.

This position requires an associate’s degree in an electronics or chemistry-related program of study; experience with distributed control system; and experience with emissions monitoring equipment and regulatory reporting processes.

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.