Reference librarian Jobs in Chicago, IL

General Overview

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.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and / or related field of study 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 or any non-standard hours if / when operationally necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

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.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

• Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link :

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite .

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action.Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.