Law Librarian

at  Northern Essex Community College

Location: Middleton, MA Category: Corrections (Essex County) Posted On: Fri Apr 26 2024 Job Description:
POSITION: Full-Time Law Librarian; Librarian; Essex County Sheriff’s Department; Middleton House of Corrections (20 Manning Ave, Middleton, MA); 37.5 hours/week, Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm; occasional travel to all ECSD facilities and NECC campuses and community partners required; MCCC/MTA Unit Professional Position; Pay Grade 5; Grant Funded Position
SUMMARY: This administrative position serves under the direct supervision of the Education Director, Corrections and assists in the administration and operation of the Law Library at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Middleton. The Inmate Law Librarian shall: (1) Ensure compliance with state standards and constitutional requirements that guarantee the rights of the inmates to legal services; (2) Maintain the library by updating its contents, seeking review by counsel and/or judges as to its adequacy, and make the information it contains available to all inmates, regardless of classification; (3) Coordinate all administrative and clerical activities of the Law Library; and (4) Assist administratively by maintaining internal and external communications for the Library as well as serve as an advisor to program management personnel.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific duties for this position include:

• Creates and revises systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, recordkeeping systems, forms control, and implementing necessary changes.
• Provide information by answering questions and requests.
• Resolves administrative problems by coordinating preparation of reports, analyzing data and identifying solutions.
• Maintains necessary records, reports, and documentation to support American Correctional Association (ACA) and Massachusetts Department of Corrections audits and standards and compliance.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
• Maintains and secures inmates confidential discovery documentation and electronic records of the same materials.
• Provides general library services to the facility. This includes both program/educational and reference services as well as recreational reading.
• Manages, organizes, and updates a constitutionally proper law library.
• Prepares annual needs assessments for legal materials and participate in the procurement process.
• Formulates procedures in conjunction with security staff to assure that all inmates have access to the information in the law library regardless of classification.
• Manages the operation of a general use library at the Essex County Correctional Facility, providing recreational and culturally responsive reading for all inmates.
• Maintains a reference unit serving the educational needs of the inmate population.
• Interfaces with program’s staff, counselors, vocational instructors and teachers to assure that the library adequately provides support for existing and planned inmate education programs.
• Interfaces with library and programs staff at other county facilities and Department of Corrections. Perform other job-related duties as assigned or required by ASOP or other senior administrators.
• The Classification Specification is available at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Librarian - HB 1114.doc

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Library Science or closely related field; with three (3) years’ experience and/or training that includes library operations, reference service, bibliographic instruction, circulation service, copy cataloging, and library information systems; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Must be competent in digital literacy.
• Must be, or agrees to become, a Notary Public of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ability to communicate with both employees, inmates and general public.
• Ability to function calmly under pressure.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a correctional facility.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population
  BACKGROUND CHECK: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.
  Additional Information:
  GRADE AND SALARY: Anticipated salary range is $82,767.00 to $86,985.00 (MCCC Pay Grade 5 with a Master’s degree) annually with complete fringe benefit package. Complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, free dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and excellent retirement benefits. Actual salary calculated in compliance with MCCC/MTA classification system. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.

• Creates and revises systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, recordkeeping systems, forms control, and implementing necessary changes.
• Provide information by answering questions and requests.
• Resolves administrative problems by coordinating preparation of reports, analyzing data and identifying solutions.
• Maintains necessary records, reports, and documentation to support American Correctional Association (ACA) and Massachusetts Department of Corrections audits and standards and compliance.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
• Maintains and secures inmates confidential discovery documentation and electronic records of the same materials.
• Provides general library services to the facility. This includes both program/educational and reference services as well as recreational reading.
• Manages, organizes, and updates a constitutionally proper law library.
• Prepares annual needs assessments for legal materials and participate in the procurement process.
• Formulates procedures in conjunction with security staff to assure that all inmates have access to the information in the law library regardless of classification.
• Manages the operation of a general use library at the Essex County Correctional Facility, providing recreational and culturally responsive reading for all inmates.
• Maintains a reference unit serving the educational needs of the inmate population.
• Interfaces with program’s staff, counselors, vocational instructors and teachers to assure that the library adequately provides support for existing and planned inmate education programs.
• Interfaces with library and programs staff at other county facilities and Department of Corrections. Perform other job-related duties as assigned or required by ASOP or other senior administrators.
• The Classification Specification is available at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Librarian - HB 1114.do