Circuit Law Librarian – West (Northampton)

Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Trial Court is seeking a Circuit Law Librarian for the West Northampton area. The role involves guiding judges, staff, and the public to legal resources, with duties including reference assistance, navigation of court procedures, and outreach across multiple law libraries in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.

The position is designated as a union role under the OPEIU, Local 6, with an entry-level pay band that may progress within the band according to the

Qualifications

• Graduate Degree in Library Science or equivalent education is required.
• 4 years of professional law library work experience are required.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal information and reference assistance in person, by telephone, email and chat.
• Assists visitors in navigating the court system and procedures.
• Travels to various court locations for law library services.
• Trains and supervises Law Library Assistants.
• Contributes to the law library website.
• Produces handouts about the law for patrons.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Customer service

Detail oriented

Critical thinking

Needs assessment

Problem solving

Education

Graduate Degree in Library Science

Job description

Official Title:

Circuit Law Librarian - West (Northampton)

Pay Grade:

Grade 19S

Salary Range:

19S Entry Level Pay $80,336.62to Pay Range Maximum $118,403.22

Starting Pay:

$80,336.62

Salary Notes:

This position is designated as a Union position. All new hires must start at the entry level rate for this role per the collective bargaining agreement/MOA with OPEIU, Local 6. Pay may advance within the salary band according to the CBA/MOU.

Departmental Mission Statement:

The Office of Access, Diversity and Fairness (OADF) is led by the Chief Access, Diversity and Fairness Officer (CADFO) and is tasked with the overall responsibility for the Massachusetts Trial Court's policies and practices related to access, fairness, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The following five departments report to and are supervised by the CADFO: the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Office of Access to Justice and the User Experience; Office of Court Services and Law Libraries; Office of Language Access and Court Records; and Office of Alternative/Online Dispute Resolution Programs.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential components of dignified and respectful treatment in the Massachusetts Court system. The creation of OADF reflects the Trial Court’s commitment to ensuring that court-involved individuals, whether they are parties to a case, victims, attorneys, jurors, witnesses, self-represented litigants, visitors, or court employees, are treated with dignity and respect, and are given the information necessary to understand and navigate court systems, policies, and practices. The Office of Language Access and Court Records is responsible for providing language access to interpreters and translators, court records, and trial transcripts that support meaningful access to the administration of justice in the Trial Court. These court access services include directing the operations of the Office of Language Access (OLA), Records Management Centers (RMC), and the Office of Transcription Services (OTS).

The Trial Court Law Libraries provide timely, efficient access to current and historical law-related information in an impartial and respectful manner to anyone in need of legal information.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

Notes:

This circuit position requires travel and entails working in multiple locations, including the Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire Law Libraries, and will be based in the Hampshire Law Library (Northampton).

Position Summary:

Provides legal information and guidance in accessing information to library visitors including judges, court staff, lawyers, and the general public, using various research sources, including electronic and print. Assists visitors in navigating the court system and court procedures. Assesses quickly and efficiently what a visitor actually needs.

Supervision Received:

Works under the direction of the Head Law Librarian at the law library location to which they may be assigned.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Provides legal information and reference assistance in person, by telephone, email and chat.
• Assists walk in clients and replies to calls and emails to answer questions about services of the Law Library.
• Acquaints visitors with the collection organization, material and offered services.
• Facilitates patrons' use of library resources, electronic and print.
• Responds to multiple court or law related reference questions.
• Travels to various court locations as assigned to provided law library services.
• Assesses needs of the local legal community and develops weak areas of the collection, making recommendations to the Head Law Librarian.
• Removes outdated materials and retains materials that have historical significance under direction of Head Law Librarian.
• Provides coverage of library in absence of Head Law Librarian .
• Trains and supervises Law Library Assistants under direction of Head Law Librarian.
• Contributes to law library website.
• Produces handouts about the law for patron consumers.
• Performs other duties as required.

Job Competencies:

Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Mission Driven: Employees are fully committed to fulfilling the Trial Court and associated Departmental missions.

Professional Development: Employees are committed to participating in ongoing Trial Court training and educational offerings to advance their professional development. Managers are equally committed to affording those opportunities to those they supervise as scheduling permits.

Customer Service: Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public.

Applied Knowledge: Demonstrates the core competencies and specialized competencies in the areas of library management; reference, research and client services; information technology; collection development, cataloging and teaching as outlined in the AALL Competencies of Law Librarianship.

Commitment to Diversity: Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds.

Collaboration: Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Ethics and Values: Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court.

Minimum Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Graduate Degree in Library Science or an equivalent education from an accredited college or university
• Four (4) years of professional law library work experience
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for meeting minimum qualifications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Massachusetts Rules of Court and Trial Court system
• Library of Congress classification system
• Library procedures
• Complex legal resources
• Databases and applications
• Various computer programs
• Legal bibliography
• Inventory, acquisition and disposal procedures

Skill in:

• Verbal and written communication
• Customer service
• Detail oriented
• Critical thinking
• Needs assessment
• Problem solving

Ability to:

• Helping patrons find and apply information
• Direct people to appropriate legal resources
• Explain laws and regulations
• Direct callers to appropriate courts, agencies, government offices and organizations
• Travel to assigned court offices as needed

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position serves as a lead worker to others.

Working Conditions:

Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments and travels to other law library locations within their region often.

Physical Demands:

This position requires sedentary light work:
Lifting and/or exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.