H-1B Visa Reference Librarian Jobs
Reference Librarian roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring a Master of Library Science or equivalent degree. Most sponsoring employers are universities, research institutions, and large public library systems. The annual H-1B cap applies, though university and nonprofit library positions are often cap-exempt.
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Get Access To All JobsASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and defense. As an Alaska Native owned corporation, our work helps secure an enduring future for our shareholders. Join our team and discover why we are a top veteran employer and Certified Great Place to Work™.
Agile Decision Sciences (ADS,) a subsidiary of ASRC Federal, is seeking a Reference and Research Librarian to support our nationwide contract to provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with library and records management services. We offer a culture that provides professional development and team collaboration. Find out why we were voted and certified as a "Great Place to Work." If you have experience as a Research/Reference Librarian (cataloging is a plus), let's talk about next steps. Apply today!
Requirements:
- MS in Library Science, Information Science, or related field.
- Minimum two years of professional experience providing reference and research services, with preference given to scientific research settings or special libraries and a demonstrated commitment to public service.
- Minimum two years of professional experience crafting expert literature search strategies and conducting searches in scientific databases. Otherwise demonstrated science or technical subject knowledge (environmental, biomedical, chemical, etc.) and experience with commonly used research tools and databases in those fields (PubMed, Web of Science, etc.) may be considered.
- Experience with reference managers (specifically EndNote) and other library tools (CMS, Alma, PrimoVE, etc.) and skills (cataloging, collection management SharePoint management).
- Customer service skills and strong organizational skills with attention to detail as well as the ability to work independently and on teams, communicate effectively with colleagues and customers, prioritize and manage multiple ongoing projects, quickly adapt to change, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to pass a government background investigation which requires Permanent Residency or US Citizenship.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver in-depth reference and research support services to EPA researchers and staff, including staffing of in-person and virtual reference services.
- Conduct expert-level literature searches on scientific and non-scientific topics using free and subscription databases.
- Contribute to other library programs and services including library instruction, marketing and outreach, knowledge management projects, or cataloging.
- Participate in the development of innovative library services (research impact analysis, data visualization, systematic reviews, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other potential new areas of service).
- Complete reporting duties, departmental statistics, and documentation as required by the contract and library operating procedures.
We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.
ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.
ASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and defense. As an Alaska Native owned corporation, our work helps secure an enduring future for our shareholders. Join our team and discover why we are a top veteran employer and Certified Great Place to Work™.
Agile Decision Sciences (ADS,) a subsidiary of ASRC Federal, is seeking a Reference and Research Librarian to support our nationwide contract to provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with library and records management services. We offer a culture that provides professional development and team collaboration. Find out why we were voted and certified as a "Great Place to Work." If you have experience as a Research/Reference Librarian (cataloging is a plus), let's talk about next steps. Apply today!
Requirements:
- MS in Library Science, Information Science, or related field.
- Minimum two years of professional experience providing reference and research services, with preference given to scientific research settings or special libraries and a demonstrated commitment to public service.
- Minimum two years of professional experience crafting expert literature search strategies and conducting searches in scientific databases. Otherwise demonstrated science or technical subject knowledge (environmental, biomedical, chemical, etc.) and experience with commonly used research tools and databases in those fields (PubMed, Web of Science, etc.) may be considered.
- Experience with reference managers (specifically EndNote) and other library tools (CMS, Alma, PrimoVE, etc.) and skills (cataloging, collection management SharePoint management).
- Customer service skills and strong organizational skills with attention to detail as well as the ability to work independently and on teams, communicate effectively with colleagues and customers, prioritize and manage multiple ongoing projects, quickly adapt to change, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to pass a government background investigation which requires Permanent Residency or US Citizenship.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver in-depth reference and research support services to EPA researchers and staff, including staffing of in-person and virtual reference services.
- Conduct expert-level literature searches on scientific and non-scientific topics using free and subscription databases.
- Contribute to other library programs and services including library instruction, marketing and outreach, knowledge management projects, or cataloging.
- Participate in the development of innovative library services (research impact analysis, data visualization, systematic reviews, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other potential new areas of service).
- Complete reporting duties, departmental statistics, and documentation as required by the contract and library operating procedures.
We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.
ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Reference Librarian
Verify your MLS meets specialty occupation requirements
USCIS requires your degree to directly relate to the Reference Librarian role. A Master of Library Science satisfies this, but a general humanities degree without library coursework may trigger an RFE. Have your transcripts ready to show coursework alignment.
Target cap-exempt employers first
Universities, nonprofit research libraries, and government-affiliated institutions can file your H-1B outside the annual lottery. Focusing your search on these employers means you can start any time of year, not just during the April cap season.
Search LCA filing history on Migrate Mate
Before applying, use Migrate Mate to check which employers have filed Labor Condition Applications for Reference Librarian or library specialist roles. This tells you which institutions have an active history of sponsoring this specific position.
Check prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your role and location. Run a lookup on the OFLC Wage Search tool using the correct Standard Occupational Classification code for Reference Librarians before you negotiate your salary.
Clarify whether your role qualifies as cap-exempt
Not every library employer automatically qualifies as cap-exempt. Your employer's HR or immigration counsel needs to confirm the institution's nonprofit or government-affiliated status before USCIS will accept a cap-exempt filing on your behalf.
File a certified LCA before your I-129 is submitted
Your employer must have a DOL-certified LCA in hand before submitting the I-129 petition to USCIS. Confirm your employer's timeline includes the LCA certification step, which typically takes up to seven business days, to avoid delays in your start date.
H-1B Visa Reference Librarian: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Reference Librarian role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS treats Reference Librarian positions as specialty occupations because the role normally requires at least a Master of Library Science or equivalent graduate degree. The O*NET profile for the occupation supports this classification. Your employer will need to document that the specific position requires a degree in a directly related field, not just any bachelor's degree.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Reference Librarians?
Universities, medical center libraries, law school libraries, and large research institutions are the most active H-1B sponsors for this role because many qualify as cap-exempt under the INA. Public library systems affiliated with municipal or county governments also sponsor, though less frequently. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by LCA filing history for Reference Librarian and related library roles.
Can I apply for H-1B sponsorship as a Reference Librarian outside the annual lottery?
You can if your employer qualifies as cap-exempt. Institutions of higher education, affiliated nonprofits, and government research organizations are exempt from the 85,000 annual cap. This means your employer can file your H-1B petition at any point during the year and your start date isn't tied to the October 1 fiscal year cycle.
What does the H-1B Labor Condition Application process look like for library roles?
Your employer files the LCA with DOL before submitting the I-129 to USCIS. The LCA certifies that you'll be paid at least the prevailing wage for a Reference Librarian in your work location and that hiring you won't adversely affect working conditions for U.S. workers. DOL typically certifies LCAs within seven business days of submission.
Does changing library employers affect my H-1B status?
Yes, but portability rules under AC21 allow you to transfer to a new employer once your I-129 has been pending for 180 days, provided the new role is in the same or a similar occupational classification. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before you begin work. Reference Librarian to related library or information science roles generally qualifies as same or similar.