Satellite Librarian

United States Courts; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Courts seeks a Satellite Librarian located in Indianapolis, based at the Birch Bayh Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse. You will be the primary contact for judges and staff in the Southern District of Indiana, providing research, training, and library support.

The role includes maintaining the collection, supporting outreach, and occasional travel within the circuit. Strong research, instruction, and customer service skills are essential.

Qualifications

• MLS degree from an ALA-accredited library school with experience in law library or legal research.
• JD degree plus library experience is preferred for advanced levels.
• For CL 27/28: professional law library research and instructional experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and non-legal research assistance to judges, clerks, and staff.
• Deliver instruction in-person and virtually to individuals or groups.
• Promote library services and maintain outreach materials and newsletters.
• Maintain the Indianapolis library collection and participate in acquisitions.
• Travel to other circuit libraries as needed; telework as determined.

Skills

Legal research

Instructional experience

Oral and written communication

Customer service

Travel and telework

Sole onsite staff

Technology adaptability

Professionalism

Lifting capability

Education

MLS degree (ALA-accredited)

J.D. degree

Job description

Overview of the Position The Library of the U.S. Courts for the Seventh Circuit includes a headquarters library in Chicago and four branch libraries located in Milwaukee, Madison, South Bend, and Indianapolis. Our organization promotes creativity and innovation, and we are looking for a candidate with these qualities. The Satellite Librarian in Indianapolis is the only library staff member located in the Southern District of Indiana.The Satellite Librarian is based at the Birch Bayh Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse in Indianapolis and is the primary point of contact for federal judges, law clerks, and court staff in the Southern District of Indiana. The successful candidate will be part of a team providing library services, information, and materials to judges and judiciary staff throughout the Seventh Circuit. The Satellite Librarian provides research assistance and training to federal judges and court staff. The incumbent supports library operations and collection maintenance. The library is used by members of the bar and the public.

• Provide legal and non-legal research assistance
• Provide individual and group instruction both in-person and virtually
• Create and participate in public relations and outreach efforts
• Maintain the Indianapolis library collection
• Participate in collection development and/or acquisitions
• Take an active role in promoting library services and resources to judges, law clerks, and court staff
• Contribute to newsletters, research guides, and web pages for patrons
• Telework as determined by the needs of the Court and/or library management
• Occasional travel to other libraries and courthouses within the Circuit
• Other duties or special projects as assigned

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• M.L.S. degree (or equivalent) from an ALA-accredited library school and either:
  • one year of law library experience or
  • one year of legal research experience and one year of library experience
    or
• J.D. Degree and:
  • one year of law library experience and
  • an additional year of library (law or other library) experience
• For the CL 27: At least one year of professional law library experience performing research and providing instruction
• For the CL 28: Two years of professional law library experience equivalent to a CL 27 (Work performance at the CL 28 level is more complex and requires more independent responsibility)
• Instructional experience
• Demonstrated skills in legal reference and research
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong customer service orientation
• Aptitude for performing functions with a high degree of accuracy and careful attention to detail
• Ability to be sole library staff member onsite
• Comfort with learning and adapting to new technology
• Ability to travel and telework when necessary or assigned
• Exhibit professionalism by being reliable, timely, flexible, and collegial
• Ability to handle occasional moderate to heavy lifting
• Ability to work an 8-hour day between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET (Mon-Fri)

Preferred Qualifications:

• JD from an ABA accredited law school
• Two years of professional law library experience

Salary Range: Indianapolis: CL 27 – CL 28 ($60,288 - $117,478), depending upon experience and educational qualifications

Application Info

Please note that this position is not covered by the Fair Chance Act and requires that applicants provide criminal history information prior to receiving any conditional offer of employment. All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.

Pursuant to the Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, selection is contingent upon providing proof of being legally eligible to work in and for the United States. Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit.

Closing Date:Priority given to applications received by Sept. 9, 2026. Position open until filled.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.