Kern County Law Library
Assistant Law Librarian - Bakersfield - 026
This regular full-time recruitment closes on August 4, 2026.
The Assistant Law Librarian is an employee of Kern County Superior Court, but also reports to the Board of Trustees of the Kern County Law Library. The Court is providing services to the Kern County Law Library under a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding is subject to change and the Assistant Law Librarian position may become an employee of the Law Library at any time. This position is not represented by the Service Employee International Union (SEIU).
DEFINITION:
Under general supervision of the Law Librarian and the Board of Trustees of the Kern County Law Library and in a lead capacity, to assist in the assignment and training of staff; coordinate and perform the review of legal filings, actions, and payments related to functions and proceedings. Helps coordinate services and programs that support access to legal information to self-represented litigants and members of the legal community. Assist attorneys, self-represented litigants, agencies, members of the legal community, and the general public on the more difficult questions of a procedural nature.
The Assistant Law Librarian is an employee of Kern County Superior Court, but also reports to the Board of Trustees of the Kern County Law Library. The Court is providing services to the Kern County Law Library under a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding is subject to change and the law librarian may become an employee of the Law Library at any time.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This classification functions as a lead position within the Superior Court.
Incumbents
are expected to work both independently and collaboratively and exercise sound judgement and discretion within a framework of standard policies and procedures. A
thorough knowledge of the rules, regulations, and procedures governing Superior Court legal processing is required. The Assistant Law Librarian is distinguished from subordinate staff by the former’s responsibility to
assign, direct, and monitor the work of others in a lead capacity.
In a lead capacity, this position coordinates, directs and participates in the functions listed below. The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this classification. The duties described are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. The Assistant Law Librarian provides lead direction to library staff and assists the Law Librarian in managing operations, services, and programs. The Assistant Law Librarian supports the implementation of strategic initiatives and may act on behalf of the Law Librarian when appropriate.
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Assists with the daily schedules of subordinate staff including managing and assigning breaks; the retrieval, receipt, review, of legal forms, documents, actions, and fees; reviews documents as appropriate; handles the more complex transactions; and monitors work for conformance with established procedures as assigned.
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Oversees general information desk duties; retrieve books, media, and information; direct patrons to research area; answer complex phone inquiries; calculate and collect fees for services and products; refer inquiries to supervisor as required.
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Offer limited professional legal reference consistent with restrictions on providing legal advice, and refer patrons to appropriate court staff or legal service organizations when needed.
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Problem solves item records and patron accounts, as needed.
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Assigns, directs, and monitors the work of others in a lead capacity on a daily or project basis; trains staff; acts as an information source; counsels employees regarding work issues; provides input to supervisors for employee performance report.
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Receives and examines uncommon/advanced legal documents for accuracy, completeness and conformity to requirements; An advanced understanding of full probate process and summary probate procedures; conservatorships, guardianships, expungement processes/motions in criminal court; prepares and sends complex correspondence.
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Assist patrons with Lexis Plus and CEB Onlaw.
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Assist in planning and coordinating programs, community outreach, and partnerships with courts, legal organizations, and the public. Proctor events and workshops in Law Librarian’s absence.
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Assists attorneys, agencies, and the general public by telephone, email, or at a reference counter; provides information regarding legal procedures/requirements; handles the more difficult and complex questions and issues; resolves procedural problems.
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Reviews documents for accuracy, sufficiency of information, and conformance with legal procedures; assists individuals in locating material and information; keeps self-help materials and information packets updated and stocked.
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Determines, receives, calculates, processes, and maintains records of cash transactions, deposits, withdrawals; records receipt of payments; provides lead supervision in the collection of fees; operates cash register, balances transactions, and calculates, verifies, and/or prepares deposits/withdrawals.
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Assist in coordinating daily library operations, staff schedules, workflow, and payroll requests and approval.
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Researches, compiles, maintains, and reviews a variety of records, statistics, logs, and lists, and indexes; compiles data and prepares/runs related reports; checks for accuracy, balances calculations, corrects errors, and makes/distributes copies.
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Reviews and evaluates policies and procedures and makes recommendations as necessary; and reviews and designs forms utilized by the Court.
Other Functions
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Receives, sorts, distributes, and/or processes mail; prepares written responses to mailed documents and inquiries as appropriate.
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Attends meetings and participates on assigned committees.
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Assists with oversight of automated call center system and contacts vendors when problems arise.
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Responsible for safety and cleanliness of the work area. Leads safety drills and actual events in the Law Librarian’s absence.
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Regular and reliable attendance.
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Ability to work 40 hours per week.
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Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree and two years of specialized law library experience. Additionally, completion of an accredited or certified paralegal program is highly desired.
Type at a minimum rate of 35 net words per minute.
A valid and clear California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the vehicle insurance program. Must pass background investigation to the satisfaction of the law library.
Knowledge of: Procedures and techniques for analyzing and improving work processes to enhance efficiency and productivity; general functions and organization of the judicial system, including the various divisions of the Court and the roles and functions of other legal and law enforcement agencies; state and local statutes and Rules of Court that govern general Court operations; office administrative practices and procedures, including record keeping and filing, using alphabetical, numeric and chronological indexing methods; basic practices and procedures of purchasing; regulations and procedures governing the maintenance and disclosure of public records; Court policies and procedures applicable to the receipt and accounting for a variety of payments; principles and practices of customer service and telephone etiquette for assisting patrons with varying levels of legal knowledge; principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including, spelling, grammar and punctuation; principles and practices of effective supervision; Court human resources policies and contract provisions.
Skill in: Operating a personal computer and standard office technology including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), telephone systems, copiers, and printers; Legal research using print materials and online resources such as Westlaw and other legal databases (experience with NCLC and HeinOnline is a plus); Public contact and customer service when assisting patrons with varying levels of legal training; Oral and written communication; Maintaining organizational records and documentation.
Ability to: Plan, organize, integrate and supervise the work of Law Library; coordinate work with other units and sections to accomplish Law Library requirements and goals; set priorities and allocate staff and other resources to meet needs in a timely, effective manner; establish and maintain staff and work schedules to meet desk coverage needs, ensuring that all statutory, rule and procedural requirements are met; Train staff and monitor staff performance in meeting Court customer service expectations; understand, interpret, explain and apply a wide variety of complex specialized information, including codes, rules, policies, procedures, forms and legal terms in supervising technical and operational activities of the unit; identify technical and operational issues and opportunities, analyze problems and alternatives and develop sound conclusions and recommendations; prepare clear, concise and comprehensive correspondence, reports and other written materials; exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines or within areas of assigned responsibility; organize and maintain files and filing systems, including codifying and indexing official documents in accordance with regulations and standard office procedures; operate a computer using standard business software and operate other standard office equipment; work in an environment that includes frequent interruptions simultaneous attention to multiple tasks and meeting legally established deadlines; communicate clearly and effectively in English, use tact and diplomacy when dealing with sensitive, complex and/or confidential issues and situations and upset individuals; understand and respect limits of authority; establish and maintain effective working relationships with judicial officers, Court and County employees, members of the public and others encountered in the course of work.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands of this primarily sedentary indoor office job include finger, hand, arm, and upper body dexterity; repetitive hand and arm movement; pushing, pulling, and lifting up to 25 pounds occasionally; and mobility indoors and outdoors.
Work involves typing and using a personal computer approximately 2 to 6 hours per day and walking or standing approximately 2 to 4 hours per day. Duties may involve bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, and occasional use of a step ladder.
The working environment includes repetitive tasks, reliance on office machinery, interaction with the public and coworkers, and limited exposure to dust, odors, fumes, and noise. Mental functions include reading, writing/composition, math computations, problem-solving, decision-making, and multitasking.
This job sometimes requires dealing with abusive patrons or members of the public in disagreeable situations.
Work may require occasional travel.
All applicants are required to submit an updated online application. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.
Status Notifications: You will be notified by email through the governmentjobs.com site during the process of this recruitment. Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders and/or accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and kern.courts.ca.gov If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
