Description:
Vermont Law School is mission-driven, guided by its motto: Lex pro urbe et orbe, law for the community and the world. This mission is apparent in the Law School’s longtime commitment to environmental law, social and restorative justice, and the varied careers that its students have pursued in those fields. The Law School’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and board share a strong sense of this mission.
Vermont Law School is located on the White River in the historic village of South Royalton, VT, which is approximately a 30-minute drive from Hanover, NH, and a 45-minute drive from Montpelier, VT. For more information on the Law School please go to www.vermontlaw.edu.
Vermont Law School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We grow and learn better together with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. In recruiting for faculty and staff, we seek unique backgrounds to enrich and challenge our community. As part of our commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, candidates who meet the qualifications for this position and who require accommodations to apply should contact Human Resources at [email protected]. Vermont Law School strives to raise the bar for being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, place of birth, marital status, disability, veteran’s status, HIV status, pregnancy, genetic information, health insurance status, and crime victim status.
Position Summary:
The Instructional Law Librarian teaches first semester JD legal research courses, advanced legal research courses, as well as research sessions for courses throughout the Law School. This position participates in the library’s reference and faculty liaison program. The Instructional Law Librarian selects and evaluates portions of the library’s collection. In addition to academic advising, this position serves on Vermont Law School committees and is active in law librarianship at the local, regional, and national levels.
This is a full-time faculty position, with voting rights, eligible for a series of initial one- or two-year contracts with the possibility of a long-term contract following a successful review.
Essential Functions:
Teaches in the first semester JD legal research and writing instruction program.
Coordinates the legal research instruction program to ensure consistency and a high standard of teaching, setting goals, identifying learning outcomes, and assessing the success of the program.
Teaches advanced legal research courses, in a variety of modalities.
Teaches specialized research classes throughout the law school, in a variety of modalities.
Monitors new developments, current trends and issues in legal research and teaching, librarianship, technology, and current and proposed VLS curriculum.
Selects, de-selects, and evaluates strengths and weaknesses of the assigned collection areas in conjunction with VLS’ research and curricular needs.
Provides legal reference services for faculty, students, staff, attorneys, self-represented litigants, and other members of the public.
Creates guides and training materials for students, faculty, and staff.
Organizes the development of library guides for students, faculty, and staff.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships with faculty and staff regarding their law resource needs.
Collaborates with library colleagues to implement and participate in the faculty-Library Liaison program, working with law faculty on research initiatives and providing research services.
Participates in the library’s strategic planning, assessment, and innovation initiatives.
Supervises VLS student projects as needed and time permitting, including advanced writing projects (AWR), Master’s externships, and Semesters in Practice (SiP).
Serves on law library and law school committees, including the Academic Advising Committee.
Participates in professional development/continuing education at the local, regional, and national levels.
. Requirements:
Education, Skills, and Experience:
Master’s degree in Library Science, and Juris Doctor degree.
3 years of relevant experience preferred, including academic reference, instruction in legal research, and collection development experience.
Knowledge of legal resources and materials, legal research methods, and online legal research systems and sources.
Substantial expertise/experience in legal research.
Experience with online education is preferred.
Excellent writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.
Excellent skills in planning, prioritizing, organizing, and evaluating.
Ability to work across organizational boundaries to affect a productive, collegial, working environment.
Ability to deal effectively with library patrons, staff, faculty, and visiting scholars, including good interviewing, teaching, advising, public speaking skills.
Strong service philosophy.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Other Requirements:
Respect – Understanding and interest in incorporating VLS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion values into the classroom and workspace.
Adaptability and Flexibility – Must be able to adapt to new and emerging technology as established and communicated by the law school to carry out the administrative duties associated with teaching. Willingness and ability to work remotely in emergency situations. Ability to work the occasional after-hours and weekend hours required to support students in this position.
Communication – talk and/or listen to convey or exchange information; communicate effectively and efficiently in written correspondence and technical correspondence; process and comprehend written material; exchange ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at conclusions, solutions, or dispute resolution.
Professional Discretion – exercise thoughtful judgment and meet deadlines; develop and maintain effective professional relationships with others; function effectively under stress; adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; and function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities.
Collaboration- This position requires collaboration with peers and colleagues as well as students, and the ability to independently manage deadlines and multiple projects.
Service- Faculty and staff at Vermont law school provide service to students, the community, and one another through service on committees and appropriate volunteer opportunities both on-and off-campus.
Scholarship- Faculty at Vermont Law School are encouraged to pursue research and scholarship opportunities as a critical part of their own continuous learning process.
Safety – Willingness to participate with the Vermont Law School faculty and student community and follow Covid19 safety policies and guidelines as laid out by the One VLS Action Team based on the changing landscape of the Covid19 pandemic.
Instruction – teaching subject matter to others or training others through explanation, demonstration, and supervised practice: or making recommendations based on technical disciplines. Assessing audience to determine best available methodologies for transfer of knowledge.
Note: All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Employees may be required, from time to time, to follow other job-related duties as requested by their Department Head, Supervisor, Dean, or as outlined in the Faculty Handbook (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws).
PM20
PI160790836
