Cooley Information Services (IS) embraces a culture of customer service excellence and all members of the department are expected to move this agenda forward. To that end, the Senior Research Service Librarian is expected to recognize that the Cooley IS department is a service organization first and foremost and will be evaluated on this requirement equal in importance to the technical or operational responsibilities outlined later in this document.
Works independently as a member of a firmwide research team that responds to requests from attorneys, paralegals and staff, to perform wide-ranging research on legal and business issues necessary for client legal services, business development, and Firm administration. Senior Research Services Librarians are responsible for all aspects of analyzing the research request, identifying the best sources of information, conducting the research, and reporting the results of research projects. Senior Research Services Librarians provide reference services and training in the use of information resources to partners and employees of the Firm.
Position Responsibilities :
- Responding to requests firmwide as a member of the Research Services team, provide research expertise and service at all levels of inquiry complexity.
- Use independent judgment to identify issue, analyze research strategy and determine best information sources to provide accurate, valid, cost effective and timely research.
- Analyze and synthesize results for presentation to the requesting user, ensuring that research meets stated and anticipated needs.
- Proactively and independently responsible for balancing workload by monitoring incoming requests, assessing time constraints, estimating research time needed.
- Work collaboratively with peers as needed in responding to research requests.
- Conduct current awareness monitoring for longitudinal requests from attorneys and staff, using judgment to establish queries and sources, analyzing the results to determine and provide information of value to attorneys and administrative staff.
- Independently determine appropriate outside sources and make arrangements for timely and cost effective retrieval/borrowing.
- In conjunction with Resource Management & Access team, participate in the identification, development, evaluation, and implementation of technological advancements in research or research aids; Test new software, resources, etc. evaluating value to the Firm.
- Contribute ideas/suggestions for information/knowledge development and improvement and promote resource/knowledge sharing within the Firm.
- Develop training programs on research sources and legal research techniques and strategies for partners and staff individually or in groups.
- Market research services and current awareness tools through orientations and promotional efforts in cooperation with members of the Research Services team.
- Continue to develop skills, knowledge and ability to improve processes and procedures and to keep updated on trends and developments in the industry.
- Timely and accurate entry of time.
- All other duties as assigned or required.
Skills & Experience :
Required :
- Masters of Library Science or J.D.
- At least 5 years of research experience in assigned or related field.
- Ability to create research strategies including innovative strategies.
- Extensive knowledge of library research tools using diverse and changing applications.
- Strong analytical and research skills with the ability to analyze problems logically and methodically and to absorb and synthesize large amounts of information into practical intelligence.
- Ability to independently assess client needs and to develop responsive solutions.
- Extensive knowledge of a variety of legal and non-legal databases.
- After orientation at Cooley LLP, exhibit proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Outlook, DTE, Adobe Acrobat, FileSurf and other Firm applications.
- Ability to work extended and/or weekend hours, as required.
Preferred :
- Master’s degree in a subject useful to the business is desirable.
Success Factors :
- Able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple competing tasks and demands, provide high levels of customer service and maintain a professional demeanor under stress.
- Organizational skills sufficient to prioritize work and complete assignments accurately, either independently or as part of a team, under pressure of competing deadlines and with frequent interruptions, working from one’s own initiative and/or following direction, policies, or procedures.
- Strong verbal, writing, and interpersonal skills with the ability to act as a resource for, provide customer service in a courteous manner to, and work effectively with diverse groups of people at various levels within the organization.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion in handling confidential materials and matters.
- Ability to identify customer needs.
- Flexibility to assume other job responsibilities within the department as necessary.
- Attention to detail.
- Team player with the ability to work in a culture of team work and cooperation.
- Ability to keep current with new developments, master new technologies, and adapt to change.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
- Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment.
Reporting to this position :
- No direct reports
Physical Demands & Work Environment : The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands :
- Access, input & retrieve information from a computer to produce typed copy, free of errors, without the assistance of another person.
- Willingness and capacity to come and go from the workstation, repeatedly throughout the day as is necessary, to perform various responsibilities.
- Capacity to communicate and enunciate adequately, in person or via telephone, in a manner which can be understood by those with whom the employee is speaking.
- Capability of dialing or otherwise using a telephone to place calls.
- Frequent keyboard duties.
- Capacity to pick up, leaf through and read books, files and other materials.
- Ability to read without the assistance of a screen reading/speech synthesizer/Braille printer or alternative device due to extreme variations in the forms of reading materials received and used by the Firm.
- Willingness and capacity to sit/stand for minimum periods of one hour at a time to prepare work.
- Capacity to reach forward to a high of 48 inches, to a low of 15 inches, to the side 54 inches and to the low side 9 inches above the floor.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
- Ability to load discs and to change settings, devices, fixtures, etc., on various equipment used in and around a law firm.
- Ability to make/retrieve copies from various copy and fax machines.
Work Environment :
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to various components of an office environment such as florescent lighting, pollen, dust, recycled air, VDTs, semi-enclosed areas, central heating and air conditioning and office noise.
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