Circuit Librarian, United States Courts Libraries for the First Circuit, Boston, MA

Posted April 7, 2020

The Libraries of the United States Courts for the First Circuit seek applications for the position of Circuit Librarian. The First Circuit Libraries provide services to the judges and staff of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts for the Districts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico. The First Circuit Libraries currently employ ten staff members circuit-wide. The Circuit Librarian will be stationed in the headquarters library in Boston, Massachusetts. Branch libraries are located in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Puerto Rico. 

 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

The Circuit Librarian reports directly to the Circuit Executive, with oversight provided by the Chief Circuit Judge of the Court of Appeals, and communicates on a regular basis with: the Circuit, District, Magistrate, and Bankruptcy Judges within the First Circuit; court unit executives and staff; the Administrative Office of the United States Courts; the Federal Judicial Center; various bar associations; and members of the media. Representative duties include, but are not limited to: 

• Directing the library program for the U.S. Courts within the First Circuit and overseeing the activities in the main and branch libraries.  

• Developing, managing, and coordinating programs to meet the existing and anticipated information needs of the First Circuit judicial officers, their staff, and personnel of other court units.  

• Assisting in the development and administration of the First Circuit library budget. Preparing and justifying estimates of budget, space, equipment, and staff required to carry out the mission of the First Circuit libraries.  

• Establishing policies and procedures governing the library and its information programs, the allocation of funds to support library needs, and levels of support provided to judicial officers and other library users.  

• Managing a staff of professional, administrative, and technical employees. Recruiting, selecting, assigning, and developing library staff.  

• Keeping abreast of new developments in all areas of information resources and services management and assessing the effects of such developments on First Circuit library programs and activities.  

• Establishing and maintaining chambers libraries. 

• Working with representatives from the First Circuit, the General Services Administration (GSA), and other building management services to address library space issues during new construction and/or renovation. 

 

Qualifications 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of specialized library experience, preferably in a law library setting. At least three of the five years must have been supervisory/managerial experience that provided an opportunity to acquire a thorough knowledge of the concepts, principles, policies, and theories of managing a law library. 

• A Master’s Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution is required. 

 

Additional Qualifications

• Demonstrated skills in law library management, including experience with a multibranch library system and/or off-site employees.  

• Knowledge of legal resources and a high proficiency in legal terminology and research using print and digital resources, including Westlaw and Lexis.  

• Demonstrated skill in leading, motivating, and overseeing a diverse workforce.  

• Demonstrated positive, proactive, and creative approach to managing a workforce, planning, and problem solving.  

• Strong oral and written communication skills.  

• A law degree (J.D., LL.M., S.J.D., or J.S.D.) from an accredited law school is preferred. 

 

Benefits 

Federal benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, health benefits, life insurance, flexible benefit programs, long-term care, retirement benefits, and a tax-deferred savings plan. Further details regarding benefits can be found here: https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits

 

Background Check 

The successful candidate is subject to a background check or investigation, which includes an FBI fingerprint check, as a condition of employment. Employee retention depends upon a favorable suitability determination. 

 

How to Apply 

Submit the following documents: (1) cover letter, (2) resume, and (3) a signed and completed AO-78, Application for Federal Judicial Branch Employment (version dated 2/20) to: 

Andrew Burke 

Human Resources Administrator 

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 

John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse 

1 Courthouse Way, Suite 3700 

Boston, MA 02210

Complete applications will also be accepted via email, in pdf format only, to: [email protected] 

 

The application form (AO-78) is available at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/AO078.pdf The AO78 must be signed and filled out completely. Attaching a resume in lieu of the AO-78 or answering the questions on the AO-78 by simply referencing an attached resume is not sufficient. If the AO-78 is filled out electronically and submitted by email, the fillable form must be resaved and submitted as a non-fillable pdf before submission; otherwise the form will appear blank. 

 

Note: Applications that do not include all requested information will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered. 

 

Salary 

JSP 15-16 ($141,202 – $215,291) per annum 

Depending on qualifications and experience 

 

Closing Date 

May 3, 2020 

 

Additional Conditions of Employment 

An applicant must be a United States citizen or permanently eligible to work in the United States. The Federal Financial Management Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages. All court employees are required to adhere to a Code of Conduct. Successful completion of a six-month probationary period is required. All Court of Appeals employees are “at will” employees and serve at the pleasure of the Court. The Court will only communicate with those qualified individuals who will be invited for an interview. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, either of which may occur without prior written or other notice. If a subsequent vacancy of the same or similar characteristics to this position becomes available within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the Court may elect to select a candidate from the original qualified applicant pool.