Duties & Responsibilities:
Provide a brief description, referring to the department’s mission as appropriate, that summarizes the overall purpose and critical objectives of the position, the results the employee is expected to accomplish and the degree of freedom to act.
Under the direction of the Manager, Reference and Research Services, this temporary position provides research advice and support to HLS faculty, students, and staff. Serve as a liaison to specific faculty members, journals, clinics and other user groups, coordinating their library and research services. Responsible for interpreting and implementing policies and procedures with regard to the level of research service provided to various patrons, deciding how best to approach and carry out a research project and the like. Works as a team member providing reference and research services in law and law-related disciplines, via print and electronic formats, to faculty and students of Harvard Law School, and to a broader research community. This is temporary position, currently expected to continue for thirteen months from March 1, 2017 through April 1, 2018, subject to departmental need and funding.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Describe the critical work (tasks and responsibilities) that is most important for getting the job done.
Teaches legal research concepts and skills to law students, both formally in library workshops and the Law Schools First Year Legal Research and Writing, and informally during research consultations.
In cooperation with other team members, assesses general faculty pedagogical and curriculum support needs, and identifies opportunities for library instructional support.
Answer research questions by phone, email and in person.
Serve as liaison to selected HLS journals, programs of study and/or clinics providing training, resources and project-specific advice; coordinate research services for journal groups, programs, clinics and clinical faculty.
Provide coordinated research services to Harvard law faculty members, including preparation of bibliographies, facilitation of current awareness services, fact-checking, identifying relevant books and articles, preparing faculty research portals, etc.
Provide individual research consultations by appointment to the HLS community.
Weekends and evenings as determined by departmental need.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Other “non-essential work” that remains a component of the job.
Participate in library, law school, and university wide committees and in the intellectual life of the school
Participate in orientation and training for new reference department staff
Ongoing professional development, including maintaining a high degree of expertise in many facets of research service and teaching, including information technology, knowledge of legal and law-related information sources, and instructional methods
May contribute 20% time to other functional areas of the Library
Other duties and responsibilities, as required
Basic Qualifications:
Masters degree in Library/Information Science from an ALA accredited institution, or significant progress towards the degree from an ALA accredited institution
ABA accredited JD or relevant legal, industry or government experience preferred.
Additional Qualifications:
Teaching experience
Knowledge of and experience using legal information sources
Strong customer service orientation
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Expertise with interdisciplinary and legal research sources
Ability to work both independently and as a team member in a fast-paced environment
EEO Statement:
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.
