Position Information Position Information Posting Number S-3804 Position Number 99999 Type of Recruitment External Position Title CMU BIOLOGICAL STATION OPERATIONS ASSISTANT TEMPORARY
Position Summary Assists the Associate Director to ensure CMUBS operates efficiently and all users needs are met. The CMUBS Operations Assistant facilitates a safe and educational experience for CMUBS users while gaining interpersonal laboratory boating and ecological skills. This position performs a variety of work including laboratory maintenance, laboratory and field equipment maintenance, field work, boating on Lake Michigan, logistics office tasks, education, and outreach.
Required Qualifications Candidates must live on Beaver Island, shared housing and meals provided, and commit to working the entire summer from approximately May 9th to August 24, 2026, with possible extension through October 12, 2026. Some flexibility in start or end dates is possible, and preplanned time off during summer is acceptable.
Ability to be part of the USCG drug-testing program to become a deckhand. Must possess a valid Drivers License and be able to pass a Drivers License check. Experience using standard software, word processing, and spreadsheets. Willingness to work some evenings and weekends. Strong written and oral communication skills. Self-motivated and able to initiate and complete tasks independently. Demonstrated ability to be a team player.
Preferred Qualifications Boating experience, MI boater safety certificate, trailering experience, field experience, laboratory experience, background in natural sciences, CPR and First aid certifications, previous experience working at CMUBS, a biological station, or a summer camp.
Duties & Responsibilities RESEARCH Prepares labs for researchers, inventories chemicals and supplies, and organizes station supplies. Calibrates and maintains lab instruments and field equipment. Assists in the collection of data. Completes and adheres to CMU lab safety and field safety trainings.
RESEARCH VESSELS Pilots boats and teaches students to pilot boats. Maintains cleans and trailers boats. Serves as a deckhand on the MV Chippewa.
OFFICE Leads the coordination of ground transportation for pick-up/drop-off of CMUBS guests. Orders supplies online. Assists with check-in/check-out. Sells shirts, books, and mugs to customers. Answers phones and addresses questions from the community about the station, research, biology. Picks up mail or freight daily. Assists classes as needed on field trips. Provides back-up to the director, associate director, kitchen staff, maintenance staff, and custodial staff.
OUTREACH Organizes and implements outreach events for the Beaver Island community, including field trips, scientific cruises, seminars, and tours.
ACTIVITIES AND SOCIALIZATION Helps build a strong community among staff and users by taking time to meet all guests and check-in with them regularly. In particular, provides support for summer school students who might face challenges acclimating to the station and island environment. Takes any necessary and appropriate actions to ensure the health and safety of all users, including reporting all safety hazards and maintenance concerns, as well as responding to all emergency situations.
Supervision Exercised Message to Applicants Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMUs mission, vision, and leadership standards. You must submit an online application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. In your cover letter, address the following:
Employee Group Temporary Staff Staff Pay Level Pay Range $14.00 per hour Division Academic Affairs Department Beaver Island CMU Biological Station Position Status Temporary Position End Date Employment Status Full-Time FTE 1.0 Position Type Other Weekly Work Schedule 40 hours per week, hours vary based on station schedule, includes some evenings and weekends Location Beaver Island, MI About the Department About CMU Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives. We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, masters, specialist, and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science, and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence. CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5 of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering, technology, and more. Central is home to 17 mens and womens Division 1 sports, including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling, and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17.
CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. Its part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region, which also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, and the states largest Native American community centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant. Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping, and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions, including Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf, and ski resorts, and many more, are within easy reach of the citys central location in Michigans Lower Peninsula.
CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program, along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state, and national norms. CMU Leadership Standards Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated, and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference. We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams. Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.
EEO Statement CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, or weight. If you wish to see Know Your Rights" posters, please click here. CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter. Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMUs Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Educations Assistant Secretary, or both. CMUs Title IX Coordinator can be reached at Phone 989-774-3253, Office 103 E. Preston St., Bovee University Center, suite 306, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858, or Email titleixcmich.edu.
Posting Ends Open Until Filled Yes Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.
Are you willing to live on Beaver Island, shared housing and meals provided, and commit to working the entire summer with some flexibility for preplanned time off? Yes No
Do you have experience using standard software programs, i.e., word processing, Excel, spreadsheets? Yes No
Do you have a valid Drivers License? Yes No
Are you willing and able to work evenings or weekend hours as necessary? Yes No
Do you have the ability to be part of the US Coast Guard drug-testing program? Yes No
Do you have prior field and maintenance experience? Yes No
Optional & Required Documents Required Documents Resume Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter Optional Documents