Law Reference Librarian

As a member of the dynamic and dedicated Reference team at the University of San Diego's Legal Research Center (USD’s 2022 Team of the Year), the Reference Librarian will provide high-quality research and reference services to USD law faculty, students, and other LRC patrons.

Instructional duties include teaching legal research in first-year Legal Writing and Research (LWR) classes, seminars, clinics, and advanced legal research courses. The Reference Librarian will also actively contribute to the development and implementation of research and reference services at the LRC, helping shape policies and procedures during weekly reference team meetings. The Reference Librarian will also participate in collection development decisions and assess subscription databases.

The successful candidate will be a dedicated and forward-thinking professional, passionate about research and teaching, who is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our colleagues and patrons. We encourage newer law librarians to apply.
We understand the importance of work-life balance, currently offering the flexibility of one day of remote work per week, subject to supervisor approval and departmental needs.

This individual is committed to cultivating an inclusive and welcoming environment for colleagues and patrons of the LRC.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Reference Services:

• Offers reference service during regularly scheduled reference desk hours, including some evening and weekend hours; follows up on responses to inquiries that cannot be completed during shifts at the desk.
• Provides assistance in legal research methods to faculty and students; assists patrons in the use of resources in all formats.
• Serves in rotation on LRC and campus committees as assigned.
• Participates in collection development decisions.

Research Services:

• Conducts research to respond to patron research requests.
• Produces research and informational guides and training materials.

Teaching/Training Services:

• Presents training and instruction in the use of legal research tools in all formats, including teaching legal research in the first year LWR courses, seminars, and clinics.
• Teaches advanced legal research classes as assigned.
• Creates and updates training materials.
• Tracks new developments in legal education and practical skills training.
• Actively participates in the reference team’s efforts to provide excellent legal research instruction.

Supervision:

• Supervises circulation staff and student assistants in the absence of other professional staff.

Management/Outreach Services:

• Serves as back-up to the Head of Reference for communication of library policies and procedures to patrons; deals with patron problems or disputes.
• Assists in circulation services and support as needed
• Works with the public services team to develop, evaluate, implement and revise research guides and training materials,
• Works with the Head of Reference to plan and implement new policies, procedures, and services
• Represents the LRC through professional involvement in local and national organizations, and by writing for publication.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility:

• Engages in training and development opportunities that support the LRC’s and Law School’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility
• Contributes and collaborates with the LRC’s DEIA committee on initiatives as needed.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• M.L.S. degree from an ALA-accredited library school, or current enrollment in an M.L.S program at an ALA-accredited library school

Preferred Qualifications:

• Law library experience (academic setting strongly preferred)
• Public services experience
• Reference experience
• Knowledge and familiarity with citation styles, including Bluebook and Chicago Manual of Style
• Experience with scholarly publication
• Understanding of educational methods, goals and mission of higher education as they apply to public services in an ABA-accredited law school library

Performance Expectations: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated teaching ability
• Expert knowledge and skill in the use of and ability to train others in Westlaw and Lexis
• Strong interpersonal skills and team-building orientation
• Strong problem-solving ability, initiative to take appropriate action independently
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and writing skills
• Initiative and aptitude for planning and development
• Knowledge of the LRC collection
• Knowledge of LRC policies and procedures
• Knowledge and implementation of LRC mission and goals
• Knowledge of campus departments
• Knowledge of law school staff and operations involving library work

$5,591.66 - $6,162.00 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Resume and Cover Letter Required

Click Apply Now to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers’ review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at 619-260-6806, or email us at jobs@sandiego.edu