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Legal Research Librarian for Foreign & Comparative Law - School of Law

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Position overview

Position title: Legal Research Librarian for Foreign & Comparative Law
Salary range: The anticipated salary range is $66,878 to $92,074 fiscal year rate, though the successful candidate could be hired above or below this range depending on qualifications.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: May 1, 2023 or later
Position duration: This is a full-time potential career appointment.

Position description

The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Berkeley Law) is one of the nation’s premier law schools, located at one of the world’s great universities. The Law Library holds one of the largest law collections in the world. It houses an extensive collection of Anglo-American, international, foreign, and comparative law. The Law Library serves a faculty of more than 100, including tenured and tenure track, clinical, adjunct, and visiting professors and lecturers; more than 900 J.D. students; 250 LL.M. students; 150 Professional Track LL.M. students in the summer; graduate students from the School of Jurisprudence and Social Policy; more than 100 visiting scholars each year; as well as researchers from other scholarly and legal communities. These include members of the University of California community, private attorneys, and members of the general public. Berkeley Law is the home of the prestigious Robbins Collection, which specializes in religious and civil law, and includes rare books and manuscripts. The Law School has a wide variety of research centers, clinics, and student-initiated projects.

The Berkeley Law Library seeks a Legal Research Librarian for Foreign & Comparative Law responsible for the overall development and promotion of the foreign and comparative law collection. The position will join the vibrant and active Reference team, participate in regular reference activities, and support student research and instruction, and faculty research and scholarship.

Primary Responsibilities

The Legal Research Librarian for Foreign & Comparative Law will report to the Reference & Research Services Director. The position will plan, develop, manage, and maintain the library’s work in the areas of foreign and comparative law, and provide research consultation with individual faculty, students, and scholars in the Berkeley community. As a member of the Reference team, the position will also provide research assistance in US law as needed. Berkeley Law is a research-oriented law school with a strong tradition of interdisciplinary scholarship and a focus on experiential education designed to prepare practice-ready law graduates. The reference librarians are responsible for providing high-level, in-depth reference services, research assistance, and instruction in this dynamic and challenging environment. The position will support the law school’s teaching and research missions. In addition to other assigned duties, the position will:

● Participate in collection development in all formats, with a focus on foreign and comparative law.
● Work as a member of the collection development team on database decisions, promotion of the collection, and collection analysis.
● Provide reference assistance to all users of the Law Library, including law faculty, students, centers, and staff.
● Respond to in-person and virtual (chat, email) reference inquiries, and provide other forms of research assistance as needed.
● Meet with law students regarding research projects for seminars, clinics, writing requirements, Student-Initiated Legal Services Projects, etc.
● Prepare research guides and other electronic training materials related to research methodology in foreign and comparative law.
● Assist in library planning and help in setting priorities for the library’s services to faculty, students, and other library users.
● Work collaboratively with library colleagues from all departments and library administration.
● Contribute to content development and maintenance of the library’s website.
● Participate in library and campus planning committees and task forces, and campus, regional, and national professional development activities.

Advancement in the Librarian Series at UC Berkeley is based in part on professional contributions beyond the primary assignment, e.g., active participation in University and professional settings, publications, or other research and creative activity. The successful candidate will show promise or evidence of such contributions.

Additional materials may be requested of applicants.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

● Advanced Degree

Preferred qualifications

● MLS, MIS, or MLIS from an ALA-accredited institution or equivalent international degree.
● 1-3 years of experience in providing reference and research services, especially in foreign and comparative law.
● Demonstrated ability with basic legal research sources and techniques. Active interest and/or experience in foreign and comparative law topics.
● Evidence of excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication and analytical ability.
● Demonstrated record of designing projects and bringing them to a conclusion in a timely fashion.
● Experience working collegially and cooperatively within and across organizations.
● Experience working collaboratively and independently with varied groups within a complex organization and rapidly changing team environment.
● Strong public services commitment.
● Culturally competent and able to work with a diverse population.
● Self-motivated, superior attention to detail, excellent organizational skills.
● Proficiency in one foreign language.
● JD from an ABA-accredited institution.
● Familiarity with the foreign and comparative law core subject areas and with relevant bibliography to support research in these areas.
● Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and ensure regular workflows.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement on Contributions to Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Statement on your contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including information about your understanding of these topics, your record of activities to date, and your specific plans and goals for advancing equity and inclusion if hired at Berkeley (for additional information go to https://ofew.berkeley.edu/recruitment/contributions-diversity).

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF03766

Help contact: academicpositions@law.berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location

Berkeley, CA