OVERVIEW
JOB PURPOSE:
Under the direction of the Director, Legal Information and Great Library, the Manager, Research and User Services provides leadership in the the delivery of quality legal research support and services to the Law Society’s members; manages the user service experience for researchers utilizing Great Library (“Library”) resources and performs other duties and tasks essential to the Library’s mission.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
A Master of Library Science or equivalent experience.
A JD and membership in good standing with the Law Society* with demonstrated experience or interest in law librarianship is an asset.
A minimum 7 years’ professional experience with 4 years related management experience in a high demand customer service-oriented environment, preferably in a law library or research institution setting.
In depth knowledge of the publication and organization of primary and secondary legal literature, including statutes, regulations, case law, digests, loose leaf services, texts and journals and other legal research tools.
Knowledge of legal terminology and legal publishing.
Knowledge of law library collection development practices.
Knowledge of management skills, techniques and practice.
Knowledge of the Law Society, its mandate, rules and governing legislation.
Participant in professional association(s), as an author, presenter, or other substantive contributor.
Demonstrates experience teaching legal research.
Reasons through complex spoken and written information.
Speaks and writes in a clear, articulate manner in one to one and group situations.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including the ability to courteously interact with others in a diverse group.
Instructional and training skills.
Teaching and public presentation experience.
Ongoing awareness of developments in emerging technologies as they relate to high quality customer service legal research, and access to information.
Broad knowledge of library systems, online legal research tools, search techniques and Web development, and other technologies used in legal research service delivery.
*By submitting your application for employment, you agree to a clearance check of your regulatory history with the Law Society, and to the use of this information in assessing suitability for employment at the Law Society.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Client / Customer Service Planning
In consultation with the Director, Legal Information and Great Library, the Manager, Research and User Services develops the Library User Services Team’s customer service goals and objectives, and regularly assesses and evaluates the effectiveness of policies, procedures, services, and work standards to ensure adherence to the library’s mission and the standards.
Participates in the development of Legal Information goals and policies and is responsible for the implementation of those that impact the Law Society members’ use of Legal Information resources.
In coordination with the Director Legal Information & Great Library, the Manager, Research and User Services adapts the Great Library’s physical space and collection to the best practices and emerging trends in library facilities planning and preservation of library materials.
Participates in collection development and works with the Technical Services Team.
In conjunction with the Director, Legal Information and Great Library, the Manager, Research and User Services assesses and updates the Great Library’s collection development policy in coordination with Legal Information department members and best practices.
Works with the Director, Legal Information and Great Library on electronic subscription acquisition and contract negotiation.
Client / Customer Service Delivery
Manages customer service delivery in accordance with current and emerging best practices, including managing the physical space and collections and developing and measuring service levels.
Anticipates, plans, and evaluates service provision in response to member needs, coordinates the activities of staff, and provides daily guidance and instructions to staff, members and the public accessing Library information.
Provides leadership in delivery of reference services and information access to Law Society members and coordinates and participates in the Reference team’s schedule and assignments.
Provides leadership to the Reference Librarians and the Reference Team, providing research support to the library users. As a part of a team designs, implements, and maintains content for legislative research instructions.
In collaboration with the Director Legal Information and Great Library, coordinates and supervises library marketing and outreach including social media, physical and digital signage, guides, and training materials.
Identifies emerging methods of providing customer service and research support to a geographically dispersed audience.
People Leadership
In conjunction with the Director, Legal Information and Great Library, the Manager, Research and User Services hires, trains, develops and evaluates employees in accordance with Law Society policies.
Fosters a positive work environment by clarifying goals, building the commitment of individuals, strengthening the group’s collective skills and developing team capability, and encouraging creativity and problem solving.
Financial Responsibility
Works closely with the Director, Legal Information & Great Library and the others on the assessment of actual collection development expenses and document delivery cost recovery.
Participates in developing the annual Legal Information budget.
Team Membership
Works closely with the Director, Legal Information & Great Library, and the librarians in the library and with other Professional Development and Competence managers to ensure Legal Information services are aligned with broader competence initiatives.
Works with other Law Society departments to help them leverage Legal Information resources and research expertise.
Collaborates to ensure library spaces and collections meet the needs of the library users.
Relationship and Alliance Building
Actively networks with law librarians at Toronto law firms, university and government agencies and collaborates with Law Association library staff and others on improving service delivery throughout Ontario.
Seeks out opportunities to show leadership through professional memberships, writing and speaking, and other professional activities.
WORKING ARRANGEMENT
The Law Society has introduced a Distributed Workforce Model to leverage flexibility and agility, and to maximize employee productivity and engagement. Work arrangements will be determined by role and departmental requirements. The working arrangement for this position has been classified as hybrid, where the employee will regularly flex their work location between home and office. The specific application of this will be communicated to applicants contacted during the recruitment process.
ACCOMMODATION
The Law Society of Ontario values and respects diversity. We are committed to creating an accessible, barrier-free and inclusive workplace in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please make any requirement you may have for accommodation during the recruitment process known when contacted. If you are unable to apply to this position due to the requirement for an accommodation of any kind, please email us at hr@lso.ca or call 416-947-3438. |
