Research Librarian

University of Alabama Libraries; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Research Librarian to conduct in-depth legal and business research, assist attorneys and legal staff, and evaluate information resources. The ideal candidate will have an MLS, at least three years of relevant experience, and strong skills in legal research tools. This role offers an opportunity for professional development and collaboration within a dynamic team.

Qualifications

• MLS and/or relevant professional research experience in legal settings.
• Minimum of three years’ experience providing research.
• Proficiency with legal and business information resources.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal, business, and other research and reference work.
• Assist in instructing attorneys and legal assistants.
• Evaluate information sources for reliability and relevance.

Skills

Research

Client Service Orientation

Communication

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Education

MLS

Tools

Lexis

Westlaw

WK VitalLaw

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Conduct legal, business, and other research and reference work, including sophisticated, in-depth research and analysis utilizing legal and non-legal information resources.
2. Conduct effective reference interviews and distill research results into clear and concise reports of findings.
3. Participate in rotating on-call schedule for research desk coverage as assigned.
4. Evaluate diverse information sources for currency, reliability, relevance, and cost-effectiveness; select the optimal resources for research requests.
5. Assist in instructing attorneys, legal assistants, and others in the use of legal research tools, licensing, and services.
6. Participate in collection development and the ongoing evaluation of online resources; make recommendations for purchase or renewal.
7. Maintain research proficiency across a wide spectrum of resources including Lexis, Westlaw, Pacer, WK VitalLaw, Lex Machina, and Monitor Suite.
8. Utilize data analytics resources to define queries, compile data sets, and interpret findings, presenting results accessibly.
9. Use workflow software to track and process research requests during assigned triage shifts.
10. Engage in ongoing professional development through library association memberships.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. MLS and/or relevant professional research experience in a private law firm, academic law library, special library, or research center.
2. Minimum of three years’ experience providing research in similar settings.
3. Experience with legal and business information resources, online database searching, and legal research procedures.
4. Proficiency with Lexis, Westlaw, and WK VitalLaw.
5. Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
6. Responsiveness and ability to manage and prioritize deadlines.
7. Excellent client service orientation with strong verbal and written communication skills.
8. Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
9. Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently with minimal supervision.

Disclaimer

This job description provides a general overview of primary duties and responsibilities. It is not exhaustive, and additional duties or projects may be assigned as needed. The firm reserves the right to modify responsibilities to meet business needs.

Physical Requirements

Candidates must meet the physical demands of the position, including commuting to the office on designated days. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with the ADA for qualified individuals with disabilities.