Careers @ MSU

Position Summary

Basic Function:

Oversees and administers the human resources functions for the Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences (PSM) in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). Serves as a resource to department chairperson, faculty, and staff to manage and coordinate human resources activities and to interpret and implement human resources policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with university policies and collective bargaining agreements. Will collaborate with unit leadership on strategic vision, management, and structure for PSM, while overseeing the complete scope of HR functions for the unit, which encompasses 106 faculty and academic staff (FAS) employees (including 42 tenure-system faculty members), 64 regular support staff employees, and 261 student, temporary, and on-call employees. CANR and PSM are committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that excellence and diversity are achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides human resources leadership in the strategic management of the unit; advises department chairperson, faculty, and staff on human resources policies and procedures. Will make recommendations on ways to improve human resources functions within the unit in order to achieve an inclusive and diverse workforce while maintaining ethical practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of measurement concepts, data collection and analysis, and reporting tools, in order to help PSM, through analytics, track progress to reach various unit goals.
• Oversees, administers, and coordinates the hiring processes and the processing of all personnel actions for the unit.
• Supervises five regular support staff employees who hold duties and responsibilities for various HR-related processes in the unit. Will determine appropriate delegation of tasks to staff with the goal of culturing a collaborative team who will work together to foster a results-oriented unit that allows individual empowerment and accountability, while providing a cornerstone of teamwork and support.
• Maintains oversight and responsibility for the unit faculty reappointment, promotion and tenure process, the international visa process, the annual review process, and all personnel actions for PSM including, but not limited to, FAS appointments/reappointments, change of status actions, leave of absences, cost distributions, terminations, staffing requests, academic position requests, summer salary actions, as well as student and temp/on-call hiring processes.
• Administers the hiring process for tenure system faculty, fixed-term faculty, academic staff positions, and regular staff positions.
• Serves as a resource to resolve complex problems with faculty, staff, temporary, and student employees. Departmental resource to develop strategies and advise on performance concerns.
• Provides leadership in unit structure and will develop training programs for academic and non-academic staff, including orientation and onboarding programs, and refresher trainings on additional topics, as needed.
• Serves as the HR representative for PSM. Attends monthly HR meetings with the college and disseminates information to departmental faculty and staff, as appropriate.
• Assists in the development of HR policies and procedures for PSM.
• Fosters a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity within the unit.
• Works closely with department budget officer to collaborate or solve complex issues.

Understands, appreciates, and can contribute to the CANR vision of Culture, Access, and Belonging, which can be found here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/about_psm/

Minimum Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or related field; three to five years of related experience, and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in managing human resources functions, designing and implementing training programs; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Proven effective supervisory experience.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge of MSU Human Resources policies and procedures for both academic and non-academic employment. Solid working knowledge of the MSU HR/Payroll system to be subject matter expert in associated systems. Knowledge and experience with the J-1 and H-1B visa processing and restrictions. Ability to carry out job responsibilities with minimal supervision, determining priorities to meet deadlines, and making independent decisions as necessary to serve the functional objectives of the department. Must have excellent and effective communication skills and critical thinking skills to accomplish independent decision making. Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote inclusion and multicultural perspectives.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Cover Letter

Resume 

Name and Contact information for three professional references 

Special Instructions

Qualified applicants will need to submit application materials via the MSU careers website. 

Michigan State University is dedicated to achieving excellence by fostering an environment that welcomes a broad range of perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion. Candidates are invited to view the PSM community norms at https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/about_psm/.

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/

Bidding Eligibility ends June 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM