Head of Reference and Instruction Services Librarian

UTN; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Faculty status

Health, vacation and retirement benefit

25 days of vacation

12 paid holidays

Telecommute one day per week

Moving cost stipend

Job summary

The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law invites applications for the position of Head of Reference and Instruction Services. This tenure-track law library faculty role begins July 1, 2026, with leadership of reference and instructional services within the James E.

Faust Law Library. The person will oversee reference desks, train librarians, and contribute to curriculum integration and collection development while maintaining data-driven service assessment and offering limited

Qualifications

• J.D. from ABA-accredited law school and Master’s degree in library and information science or equivalent from ALA-accredited institution required.
• Strong service orientation; excellent oral and written communication; good organizational skills; ability to deal effectively with all library patrons; strong teamwork skills, adaptable to additional responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage reference services including scheduling and coordinating reference desk coverage.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate librarians providing reference and instructional services.
• Provide approximately 6-10 hours per week of reference services to library patrons.
• Maintain and analyze reference statistics to assess service effectiveness.
• Teach two credit hours of legal research annually (basic, advanced, specialized, or FCIL).
• Provide individualized and group instruction using a wide range of educational technologies.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate legal research into the curriculum.
• Participate with the collection development team to recommend new databases, print resources, or research tools.
• Prepare and maintain research guides.
• Serve on Law Library/Law School, University of Utah governance, and other professional committees as appropriate.
• Engage as a member of the Law Library team and work to further the overall goals of the Law Library.

Skills

Service orientation

Oral & written communication

Organizational skills

Patron relations

Teamwork

Education

J.D. (ABA-accredited)

MLS/MLIS (ALA-accredited)

Job description

Head of Reference and Instruction Services Librarian

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Proposed Faculty Rank

Proposed Faculty Rank Assistant Law Librarian

Department

Department 00100 - Law Library

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Track

New Position to Begin

New Position to Begin 7/1/2026

Details

Head of Reference and Instruction Services

James E. Faust Law Library

University of Utah

Description

The University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law invites applications for the position of Head of Reference and Instruction Services. This is a tenure track law library faculty position. Position available July 1, 2026.

Core Duties

• Manage reference services including scheduling and coordinating reference desk coverage.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate librarians providing reference and instructional services.
• Provide approximately 6-10 hours per week of reference services to library patrons.
• Maintain and analyze reference statistics to assess service effectiveness.
• Teach two credit hours of legal research annually (basic, advanced, specialized, or FCIL ).
• Provide individualized and group instruction using a wide range of educational technologies.
• Participate in the liaison program providing research services to law faculty and training and support of student research assistants.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate legal research into the curriculum.
• Participate with the collection development team to recommend new databases, print resources, or research tools.
• Prepare and maintain research guides.
• Serve on Law Library/Law School, University of Utah governance, and other professional committees as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Engage as a member of the Law Library team and work to further the overall goals of the Law Library.

Requirements/Qualifications

J.D. from ABA -accredited law school and Master’s degree in library and information science or equivalent from ALA -accredited institution required. Strong service orientation; excellent oral and written communication; good organizational skills; ability to deal effectively with all library patrons; strong teamwork skills, adaptable to additional responsibilities.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range is $88,000-95,000 and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Librarians have faculty status at the University of Utah and receive generous health, vacation and retirement benefits ( https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/ ), including 25 days of vacation and 12 paid holidays each year. This position has the option to telecommute one day a week. No evening or weekend work required. A stipend for moving costs is included.

About the Library

The library has 6 librarians and two full-time library staff. The library serves approximately 300 students and over 35 faculty members at Utah’s top public law school. The University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our campus is nestled in the heart of the Wasatch mountains which offer Olympic-class skiing, hiking, climbing and a variety of other outdoor sports. Salt Lake City offers a wealth of amenities including outstanding entertainment venues, excellent restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene.

EEO/Non-Discrimination Information

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/ . Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu .

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen. https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

University Human Resource Management 250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Contact us: [phone] By Email: [e-mail]