Law Librarian

Cook County • Chicago, IL

11h • Onsite

About The Position

Under direction of the Director, Deputy Director or Supervisor, the Law Librarian conducts research on a detained individual’s behalf. Provides support and research materials for detained individuals requiring legal information as it relates to their pending criminal charges and ongoing case. Provides recreational or public library services. Assignments may include a population of incarcerated individuals that exhibit behavioral challenges and/or have been identified as being mentally ill.

Requirements

• Knowledge of word processing and other PC software applications and office practices and a high degree of skill in applying software functions to prepare complex and detailed documents.
• Knowledge of good office management principles; excellent knowledge of business office practices, English, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Comfortable interacting and working closely with incarcerated individuals.
• Proficient in extensive internet research; experience or familiarity with LexisNexis.
• Possesses ability to read and interpret intricately detailed information.
• Ability to interpret and understand complex legal statutes and language.
• Ability to understand and carry out technical and complex instructions, written and verbal, and accurately relate instructions in full or part to others.
• Ability to coordinate several tasks and perform well under pressure; ability to fill in for and perform the duties of other unit support staff; ability to relieve higher-level administrative staff.
• Capable of working effectively in a fast-paced environment and the ability to travel long and short distances quickly and efficiently, including being capable of moving up and down several flights of stairs efficiently during a shift.
• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Possession of a current commission as a Notary Public and/or an ability to acquire a Notary Public certification within six (6) months of employment.
• One (1) or more years of professional, full time work experience in the areas of criminal law, legal research, and the Illinois Criminal Code.
• Capable of working effectively in a fast-paced environment and the ability to travel long and short distances quickly and efficiently, including being capable of moving up and down several flights of stairs efficiently during a shift.
• Availability to work: Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree from an accredited college or university and/or three (3) or more years of professional, full time work experience as a Law Librarian in a correctional institution.
• Six (6) months or more of professional, full time work experience in the use of Westlaw.
• Possession of a Paralegal Certificate.
• Previous internship at the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

Responsibilities

• Assist detained individuals in legal research in preparation of their case(s) in the law library; assists with the preparation of legal documents.
• Deliver “public” library books to detained individuals, assisting them with finding recreational, informational, and educational books to read for leisure or education/information.
• Deliver requested legal information and/or materials to detained individuals inside their living-unit area.
• May conduct/hold both a public and law library session with multiple detained individuals when safety and/or security permits.
• Maintain timely records and performs various other duties related to the law library services.
• Relay confidential and important information; investigates special matters requiring confidential handling; helps adjust problems calling for non-routine decisions.
• Observe any need for follow-up actions and assists with details; keeps supervisor informed of meetings, events, and other matters of importance.
• Read publications, regulations, and directives and takes action or refers those that are important to the supervisor and staff.
• Prepare special or one-time reports, summaries, or replies to inquiries, selecting relevant information from a variety of sources such as reports, documents, correspondence, other offices, etc., under general direction.
• Apply a comprehensive knowledge of word processing and other PC software applications and office practices; possesses a high degree of skill in applying software functions to prepare complex and detailed documents.
• Independently completes assignments and resolves problems or oversees and directs others in such manner.

Benefits

• Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.
• Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1st) also qualify for a floating holiday.
• Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.
• Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.
• Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.
• Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.
• Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level