Patent & Trademark Information Specialist

[Amy L Spare]

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Patent and Trademark Information Specialist
Full-Time Position

Rice University, a private university, is seeking a highly motivated
librarian committed to working closely with users and exploring creative
ways to provide new services. This librarian will support the operations of
the South Central Intellectual Property Partnership at Rice (SCIPPR). The
incumbent will work primarily on providing innovative approaches to using
information technology to provide intellectual property services for the
campus, greater Houston area, the south central and southwestern United
States, and Mexico.

Responsibilities include: working directly with clients (attorneys,
business community, general public, faculty and students) in researching
intellectual property issues; training patrons in procedures and use of
equipment to perform patent and/or trademark searches; scheduling
videoconferences with clients and US Patent and Trademark Office personnel;
hiring, training and supervising student assistants; processing and filing
document delivery requests; developing and maintaining SCIPPR web page.

The Fondren Library is an exciting place to work with opportunities to
participate in the development of leading edge library technologies. With
the designation as the third partnership library by the US Patent and
Trademark Office, Fondren Libray will be expanding the university's efforts
to transfer technology to the private and public sectors.. SCIPPR's mission
is to provide on a cost-recovery basis the intellectual property services
which are only available at the US Patent and Trademark Office and the
other partnership libraries. Using state-of-the art equipment SCIPPR will
provide access to PTO databases which include full text and images of US
patents and trademarks, summary information of European and Japanese
patents, videoconferencing for examiner interviews and training seminars,
and document delivery.

Requirements: an ALA accredited MLS; excellent interpersonal and
discretionary skills including the ability to work well with faculty,
students, colleagues, attorneys and the business community; a high degree
of flexibility; excellent oral and written communication skills;
demonstrated knowledge and experience with electronic resources; through
knowledge of internet tools; excellent PC computer skills; experience with
an integrated library system; proven ability to provide prompt, cheerful
service to clients in response to various demands; ability to organize a
variety of duties and set priorities in a timely manner; must be mature,
dependable and thorough in approach toward work and problem solving;
ability to work with minimum of supervision.

Preferred: previous experience with government publications and/or patents
and trademarks.

Salary/benefits: minimum salary $30,110 with actual starting salary based
on experience, education, training, and available departmental budget; no
state or local income tax; career advancement program; 21 benefit days; 8
study days; TIAA/CREF; health and life insurance; and tuition waiver.

Applications received by May 1, 1998 will receive first consideration. To
apply, send letter of application, resume, and the names, titles,
addresses, and telephone of 3 references to: Ferne Hyman, Assistant
University Librarian, Rice University, Fondren Library MS44, PO Box 1892,
Houston, TX 77251-1892. Rice University is an affirmative action, equal
opportunity employer.