Research Librarian and Lecturer in Law

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Research Librarian and Lecturer in Law within the Law Library reports directly to the Assistant Director of Research & Instruction. This role is primarily responsible for providing legal reference and research services to the Lewis & Clark legal community, team teaching the semester-long Legal Research 1 course for first-year students, and creating and updating research guides and resources. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at working collaboratively in a team-oriented environment, delivering exemplary customer service, and demonstrating a commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse instructional and scholarly environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Legal Reference and Research Support

• Provide legal reference and research assistance to law school students, faculty, staff, alumni, and public patrons.
  
  
• Deliver reference services at the reference desk and through individual consultations, phone, email, and online chat.
  
  
• Collaborate with faculty on research projects.
  
  

Instruction and Teaching

• Team teach the Legal Research 1 course, focusing on beginning legal research concepts for first-year law students.
  
  
• Create and conduct legal research workshops and training sessions to enhance students' research skills.
  
  
• Provide specialty research classes tailored to specific needs of the law school community.
  
  

Resource Development and Management

• Develop and maintain research guides, finding aids, and documentation to facilitate legal research.
  
  
• Evaluate and select information resources to ensure the library's offerings meet user needs.
  
  

Program Administration

• Oversee the certification in legal research program, ensuring its alignment with academic standards and student success.
  
  

Professional Development

• Engage in professional development activities to stay current in legal research and library services.
  
  
• Contribute to team projects and assist with various tasks assigned to the Research and Instruction team.
  
  

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Proficient in legal research techniques, sources, and formats, with a strong understanding of online platforms essential for conducting legal research.
  
  
• Excellent teaching skills or a sincere desire to develop effective legal research teaching methods.
  
  
• Proficient in developing asynchronous tutorials or familiar with the tools used to create them, with the knowledge or a willingness to learn necessary skills as a substitute for direct experience.
  
  
• Superior organizational and analytical skills, demonstrating self-motivation and attention to detail in all tasks.
  
  
• Extremely effective in delivering exemplary customer service and working collaboratively within a team-oriented environment.
  
  
• Commitment to promoting inclusion and equity in the workplace, fostering a diverse and supportive instructional and scholarly environment.
  
  
• Strong public service orientation, with the ability to engage positively with a diverse population and varied user groups.
  
  

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Master’s in Library Science (MLS) or equivalent.
  
  
• Juris Doctor (JD) or foreign equivalent.
  
  

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Additional certifications related to legal research or instruction.
  
  
• Experience in teaching legal research or related subjects at the higher education level.
  
  
• One year of relevant work experience in a library or legal research environment.
  
  
• Experience in practicing law.
  
  

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time, 12 months
  
  
• 37.5 hours/week
  
  
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
  
  
• Travel: 0%
  
  
• May work from home one day per week as the schedule allows.
  
  

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt
  
  
• $70,000 per year with consideration for experience
  
  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• General office environment
  
  
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, working on a computer
  
  
• Communicate effectively via phone, email, online meetings, and in person
  
  
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
  
  

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators

( https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance ).

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.