Library Research Assistant Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Official Title: Law Library Assistant - Middlesex Law Library (Woburn)

Pay Grade: Grade 11S

Salary Range: 11S Entry Level Pay $54,374.84 to Pay Range Maximum $80,140.06

Starting Pay: $54,374.84 

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:

Position Summary: Performs administrative, clerical and reference duties. Duties includes processing mail, invoices, book delivery, and looseleaf filing. Assists with collection management and development. Provides in-person and online patrons with legal information.

Supervision Received: Appointed and managed by the Senior Manager of Law Libraries and works under the general direction of the Head Law Librarian and Circuit Law Librarian in the Head Law Librarian's absence.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Performs circulation functions checking materials in and out and sending overdue notices.
• Catalogs, barcodes and shelves books.
• Processes and files reference materials.
• Processes invoices and fiscal materials and maintains accounting billing records and spreadsheets.
• Provides reference and information services to patrons in library, by phone and e-reference.
• Assists in-person and phone patrons with reference and research questions.
• Answers e-reference questions through e-mail and chat reference shifts.
• Performs administrative tasks and processes budgetary functions.
• Processes interlibrary loan requests.
• Collects and organizes information that patrons need on a consistent basis to put together packets or brochures.
• Makes recommendations to the Head Law Librarian on development of collections and operational procedures.
• Provides coverage of library in absence of Head librarian or Circuit Law Librarian.
• Trains patrons to use databases and how to do research.
• Teaches patrons how to use computer and library specific materials catalog and databases, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis and how to do legal research.
• 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
• Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university
• One (1) year of related work experience
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered for meeting minimum qualifications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of:
• Library of Congress cataloging call numbers
• Court personnel and locations
• Electronic resources
• Library database
• Cataloging procedures
• Circulating functions
• Library materials and resources
• Budget processes and procedures

Skill in:
• Verbal and written communication
• Organization and prioritization
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Creating spreadsheets
• Customer service

Ability to:
• Communicate with vendors
• Maintain professional working relationships
• Assist patrons needing reference materials
• Navigate and locate legal reference

Supervisory Responsibility: This position does not require supervision of others.

Working Conditions: Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments, outdoor environments, the community, warehouses or file/storage environments, shops/facilities environments.

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.