IT Applications Specialist

IT Applications Specialist

Employment Opportunity

Rochester, NY

Harter Secrest & Emery is a full-service law firm founded in 1894, with offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Corning, and New York City. With over 125 lawyers, we offer the depth and breadth of legal talent and experience necessary to achieve exceptional results for our local, regional, and national clients.

General Statement of Duties: 

The position is responsible for administering, supporting and troubleshooting the Firm’s financial systems, and other legal applications. In addition, they are responsible for design, development and management of the firm’s SharePoint Online Intranet. They are responsible for end user support, development of reports and templates, site page design, troubleshooting of applications, and technical support. Creates and administers customized Access and/or SQL databases. This position shares responsibilities with the IT team to provide help desk coverage, and end user support to all HSE employees. Additionally, they will provide technical support to all HSE systems as well as work on a variety of special projects.

Supervisory Relationships: 

Reports to the Chief Information Officer; receives general direction on assignments from the Chief Information Officer with more detailed instructions for new or complex projects. May also receive guidance on select assignments from senior level IT staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Administer and support Financial Systems managed technology platforms, including on-premises and cloud-based applications, with responsibility for performance tuning, customizations, enhancements, upgrades, and system administration
• Provides technical and user support for several third-party legal software applications including: Aderant Expert, BigHand financial applications, Litigation docketing software, Pattsywave IP Docketing solution, and BigHand iCreate
• Build and configure SharePoint Online Intranet sites, lists, libraries, and pages that support departmental and Legal group needs
• Evaluate existing applications and perform updates and modifications
• Development and support for applications using SQL, SSRS, and workflow tools to automate business operations, improve work production, collaboration and system efficiencies
• Serve as a primary technical contact for Finance users and Financial Systems vendors during issue resolution, upgrades, integrations, and technology deployments
• Acts as a liaison with vendor technical support and implements customization of features based on user requirements; responsible for system maintenance and upgrades, end-user support and system troubleshooting; assists in training on these applications
• Monitors software usefulness and keeps up to date with new potentially helpful upgrades to current systems or new applications; works with users to develop best practices and determine need for training; system enhancements or new business systems
• Keeps up to date with IT best practices around application development and database development and makes recommendations on upgrades to current systems or new applications available that could be valuable to the firm

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Expertise and proven experience in MS Access and SQL based database solutions. Good knowledge of database creation, form and report generation and industry standard database development administration standards and best practices
• Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of software applications including MS Office, SQL, Exchange/Outlook, Windows Server, and a variety of legal applications; knowledge of Microsoft Sharepoint Online
• Good knowledge of computer hardware and network fundamentals and how they relate to applications and user support and troubleshooting; Good analytical and problem solving skills
• Must have strong customer service focus with the ability to work with all levels of staff and clients. Ability to work as part of a team to provide IT solution
• Ability to work under pressure and to handle multiple/ changing priorities and last minute projects. System down time must be kept to a minimum and may require long hours during a crisis
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Previous law firm or professional services experience a plus

Education & Experience Requirements:

• BA or BS in computer science or related field and one (1) to three (3) years of progressively responsible work, which has included software development, support, user support and user training experience; experience in a legal or professional service organization desirable; OR an equivalent combination of education, experience and/or professional certifications sufficient to indicate the ability to perform the duties of the position
• Expertise and proven experience in SQL based database solutions; knowledge and experience with database creation, form, query and report generation and industry standard database development administration standards and best practices
• Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of software applications including MS Office, SQL, Exchange/Outlook, and Windows Server
• Good knowledge of computer hardware and network fundamentals and how they relate to applications and user support and troubleshooting;
• Good analytical and problem solving skills
• Strong customer services focus with the ability to work with all levels of staff and clients; ability to work as part of a team to provide IT solutions
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple/changing priorities and last-minute projects; system down time must be kept to a minimum and may require long hours during a crisis
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Recruiting Information

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for performance in this position. It is not to be interpreted as an exhaustive description of essential functions, responsibilities, and requirements.

HARTER SECREST & EMERY LLP IS COMMITTED TO THE POLICY OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. THIS POLICY EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, FAMILY STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DISABILITY, GENETIC PREDISPOSITION OR CARRIER STATUS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM STATUS, CRIMINAL CONVICTION, VETERAN STATUS OR STATUS AS A MEMBER OF ANY OTHER PROTECTED GROUP OR ACTIVITY.