Library Assistant

Position Overview

The Ninth Circuit Court Libraries are currently accepting applications for a Library Assistant in our Phoenix location.

The Ninth Circuit Library system serves all the federal courts within the jurisdiction of the Ninth Circuit, including more than 400 judges in the Circuit, district, and bankruptcy courts. The Library system includes a headquarters library in San Francisco and over 20 staffed branch locations, with at least one in each district that we support.

The Library Assistant is based in the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Courthouse in Phoenix, Arizona and assists the Phoenix Branch Librarian with library operations, including both public and technical library services. Under the direction of the Branch Librarian, the Library Assistant will manage maintenance of the library’s print collection and will also serve as a point of contact for the judges and court staff in Phoenix as well as for other visitors to the Phoenix branch library.

In addition, the successful candidate may also regularly travel to Tucson and occasionally travel to other library locations within the Ninth Circuit to assist with collection maintenance and to provide additional support.

• Provide print and electronic resource assistance to library visitors
• Library stack maintenance, including lifting, shelving, shifting, and discarding books and shelf-reading
• Process new books and library materials (checking in, filing, etc.)
• Assist with Library database password management (Westlaw, Lexis, etc.)
• Assist with basic research and other services to court staff
• Facilitate interlibrary loans, including conducting online searches to arrange for interlibrary loans
• Maintain the library space, including possible creation of displays and exhibits
• Assist with coordinating and hosting library events
• Communicate professionally and with decorum to court staff and non-court staff visitors
• Possible work developing and contributing to regular newsletters
• Possible regular travel to Tucson and occasional travel to other Ninth Circuit Library locations
• Other duties and projects as assigned

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Two years of library, legal, or customer facing government experience
• Familiarity with library call number systems of organization
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment; demonstrated, proactive, problem-solving approach and critical thinking skills; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; strong customer service ethic; ability to understand and apply established rules and procedures; flexibility, strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Resourcefulness and ability to devise creative solutions to problems
• Ability to handle moderate to heavy physical activity, including lifting, pushing, and bending
• Ability to travel in state regularly and out-of-state occasionally

• Two years of progressively responsible library experience
• Law library experience
• Familiarity with Library of Congress Call Number system
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university
• Experience with an Integrated Library System, SIRSI preferred

• Salary: depending on qualifications and experience
• Time off: 13 days of paid vacation for the first three years, increasing with tenure thereafter, 13 sick days accrued per year, 11 paid holidays
• Benefits:
  • Federal pension plan and optional employer-matching Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401K)
  • Choice of a variety of employer-subsidized federal health and life insurance plans. Optional dental, vision, and long-term care coverage
  • Flexible spending account to pay out-of-pocket health and dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars
• Other Perks:
  Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, public transit subsidy, alternate work schedules, and reasonable work hours

Please submit a PDF application packet through the Career Portal that includes:

Only complete applications will be…