Inmate Law Librarian, Essex County Sheriff’s Department, Middleton House of Corrections, Middleton, MA

Posted October 18, 2023

Summary

This administrative position serves under the direct supervision of the Education Director, Corrections
and assists in the administration and operation of the Inmate 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 Inmate 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.

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

Background Check: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.

Schedule and Work Environment

37.5 hours/week, Monday – Friday 12pm – 8pm; occasional travel to all ECSD facilities and NECC campuses and community partners required.

Grade and Salary

Anticipated salary range is $59,244 to $64,627 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.

Responsibilities

• 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%20-%20HB%201114.doc

Qualifications

Minimum

• 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

• Experience working in a correctional facility.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population

The College

NECC serves about 5,000 credit students each semester on two campuses located in the beautiful,
historic Merrimack Valley region of northeast Massachusetts. Our suburban Haverhill campus sits on 106 acres near Kenoza Lake, and features a Technology Center and an award-winning Student One-Stop Center. Our urban campus in Lawrence occupies a number of buildings in the heart of downtown. Most recently, we have constructed a new 44,000 square foot health technologies facility, the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center. Both campuses are a short drive to Boston and to the beaches and state parks along the coast.

The college has been building an organizational culture that values initiative and innovation, and seeks to identify and develop the strengths in students, faculty, staff, and programs in order to grow and improve. NECC is also committed to using evidence to guide planning and decision-making. These values are reflected in the use of Appreciative Inquiry for strategic planning and accreditation; in our investment in strengths-based, institution-wide professional development; and in our ten-year involvement as a Leader College in Achieving the Dream, a national network of community colleges dedicated to using data to close student achievement gaps.

We are also committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. With over 40% Hispanic students, NECC was the first federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in New England.

We seek leaders who are committed to the community college mission, actively engaged in promoting diversity, and prepared to use their unique strengths and innovation with the goal of student success.

To Apply

To view the full job description and apply for the position, please visit: https://necc.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp;jsessionid=91351B99FA9DC0893B1C2672A65FDCE3?JOBID=165590.

To be considered for this position click on the “Apply Now” button, you will be prompted to setup a
new account or login to an existing account. You will be able to upload the following required documents for consideration: (1) Cover Letter, describing your qualifications and experience; (2) Resume/CV

Review of applications will begin 5 business days from the posting date and will continue until the position is filled.

**Please note that finalist candidates will be asked to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
Deadline: Open until filled