Position: San Diego – Assistant Dean/Director of the Legal Research Center and Professor of Legal Research

As a Professor of Legal Research, the individual will participate in the academic life of the law school, explore ways to enhance the curriculum by developing research courses and trainings, and teach courses as assigned.

Duties include ensuring that the information and research needs of patrons are met by maintaining and developing book collections, incorporating technological research methods, evaluating and introducing new technology, assuring bibliographic control of materials in compliance with national standards, providing patron reference and interlibrary loan services, remaining in compliance with state and federal documents depository programs and overseeing operation of fair and efficient circulation system.  Fulfill law library teaching role by establishing programs and procedures to educate law students and paralegals about legal research.

Plan and administer LRC budget. Set standards for hiring, training, supervision and evaluation of librarians, staff and student assistants. Establish internal employment policies and procedures in conformity with University policies. Promote development and welfare of staff. Direct space planning, utilization, and maintenance for LRC facility, equipment, and furnishings. Participate in fund-raising activities. Keep current with accreditation requirements for academic law libraries and ensure LRC compliance; report regularly to accreditation agencies. Maintain currency of LRC in terms of recognized methods of library practice, including automation of internal operations. Keep Dean, faculty, and students informed about LRC by reporting and organizing marketing through outreach programs, newsletters, etc. This position exercises direct supervision over the Associate Director/Head of Public Services, in addition to staff members (Electronic Specialist and Office Manager). This position receives General supervision from the Dean of the School of Law.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Legal Research Center (LRC) Administration

• Responsible for overall administration of law library. Develop, manage, and preserve a collection responsive to curricular and research needs of students and faculty in all law school programs, including selection, acquisition, updating, and maintenance. Maintain active relationship with faculty in regard to service and collection needs.
• Develop and monitor procedures for LRC compliance with recognized methods of library practice, including automation of internal operations and accreditation requirements. Ensure bibliographic control of materials in conformance with national standards. Keep up-to-date on best practices in the profession.
• Establish and advance a high quality academic program for law student legal research, meeting or exceeding American Bar Association requirements.
• Develop budget and capital requests; monitor expenditures to assure legal and institutional compliance.
• Represent the law school and LRC in campus, local, regional, and national settings. Promote cooperation and mutually beneficial projects with University Library. Ensure regular communication of library news and new acquisitions to faculty and other constituents.
• Work directly with University’s CIO for Information Technology to ensure currency in academic technology for law school and law library. Plan for academic technology in the law school and LRC, including classroom projects and services. Evaluate and introduce technological innovations to support and further research capabilities.
• Create statistical and narrative reports for the ABA, AALS, and WASC, and other agencies and organizations as needed.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal documents depository programs and oversee collection policies to integrate received documents.
• Oversee reference services, including direct patron interactions, interlibrary loan, and preparation of research guides.

Faculty Responsibilities

• Design an academic component for the LRC to support the research education of law school students.
• Develop a program for orienting and educating 1L students in legal research best practices.
• Facilitate interaction between law school faculty and the LRC staff to be responsive to support faculty research.
• Research, write, and publish in fields of expertise.
• Prepare and present programs for faculty and other professionals.
• Attend faculty meetings; serve on faculty committees as appointed.
• Teach courses as assigned. Serve as guest lecturer in courses, as requested.

• J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school required. Masters in Library Science (MLS) from an ALA-accredited institution also required.
• Five years of demonstrated, progressive, and successful experience in law library administration, including five years of experience managing a professional staff, required.
• Teaching experience in law school, including experience teaching advanced legal research classes, preferred.
• Applicants should possess an understanding of existing and emerging technologies, an appreciation for the changing roles of libraries, and the vision and experience to ensure that the law library meets the needs of the Law School and University communities.
• This position is a twelve-month administrative position, with an initial five-year appointment with subsequent eligibility for appointment to a five-year presumptively renewable contract. The Director of the LRC holds academic rank of Professor of Legal Research, without tenure.

Performance Expectations: Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong commitment to supporting the research and scholarly needs of the faculty, students, and USD School of Law community.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with clarity and appreciation for diverse views.
• Strong presentation and teaching skills.
• Willingness to accept responsibility, establish objectives and priorities, deal effectively with problems, and exercise independent judgment when making decisions.
• Ability to work collaboratively with law school senior leadership team.
• Ability to handle confidential or sensitive information with tact and discretion.
• Outstanding problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to create, implement and complete action plans and/or revise action plans that are not meeting intended outcomes.
• Ability to meet and deal effectively with diverse personalities and populations.
• Must possess flexibility and versatility in order to contribute to evolving work situations.
• Commitment to represent the university in the most positive manner with students, donors and the community we serve.

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.  Serious candidates are encouraged to request official transcripts to help expedite the hiring process.

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package, to include medical, dental, vision, a 12% retirement contribution given to you by the University (with three year vesting period), 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. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

Hours: 37.5 per week

Closing date: Open Until Filled

Note: External job postings will be up for at least five days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion and is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the campus community.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.