Law Librarian

Full Job Description

Under general supervision, performs and coordinates routine library work conducting research and providing legal and non-legal reference services to judges, officials, employees, legal community and the public.

Provides information and materials in response to requests and acquiring and organizing library resources.

This is the second in a series of four law library-related job classifications within the Professional Support job family. This classification performs a mixture of specialty functions that combine public and technical functions. Maintains expertise in print and electronic search strategies.

Requirements

• Performs reference, research and technical services to county constituency, as well as Travis County employees.
• Serves as an information consultant to access primary and secondary legal resources, conducts bibliographic instruction in use of print and electronic materials.

Performs complex legal research for judges, staff attorneys, Elected and Appointed officials, and Travis County litigants.

Conducts computer assisted searches of primary and secondary legal authorities. Searches periodicals and journals for articles addressing state policies or legal doctrine.

Stays current on newly enacted laws which may change or replace information given to patrons or help with policy decisions for the library.

• Oversees circulation of library materials and use of library equipment. Files, shelves, and weeds collection to maintain current information and accessibility. Catalogs new publications.
• Coordinates inventory of supplies and orders depleted materials. Answers phone and walk-in requests for basic information and/or makes referrals. May direct clerical staff in performing technical duties. Updates CD-ROM LAN with new disks from legal services.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Master's degree in Library Science AND two (2) years professional librarian experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
None required.

Preferred:
Bilingual in English and Spanish

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Library science and information technology.
• Acquisitions and collections development practices and standards.
• Federal, State, Local and County laws, rules, regulations and guidelines applicable to Libraries.
• Federal, State, Local and County laws, rules, regulations and guidelines applicable to Records Management.
• Policies, practices, procedures and terminology of assigned function.
• On-line automated library system software and hardware as well as other relevant computer applications.
• Online legal research tools and databases and the Internet.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Conducting research.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Use and explain library equipment, facilities and files.
• Write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental support staff, attorneys, judges, clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, carrying, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting, lifting moderately heavy equipment or boxes to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

Location: Travis County Law Library, 1700 Guadalupe Street, 2nd floor, Austin, TX 78701

Department: Community Legal Services

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Lisa.Rush@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.