Law Library Assistant - Pittsfield

Official Title: Law Library Assistant - Pittsfield

Pay Grade: Grade 11S

Salary Range: 11S Entry Level Pay $53,308.58 to Pay Range Maximum $78,568.62

Starting Pay: $53,308.58 

Salary Notes: The Court Services and Law Libraries Department is responsible for providing key court services to support the administration of justice and advance access to justice in the Trial Court. These services include the Court Service Centers and the Trial Court Law Libraries.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TRIAL COURT LAW LIBRARIES:
The Trial Court Law Library System provides 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:
http://www.mass.gov/courts/case-legal-res/law-lib/

Notes: This position is designated as a union position and is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with O.P.E.I.U., Local 6.

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 Manager of Law Libraries and works under the general direction of the Head Law Librarian and Circuit Law Librarian.

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, and 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.