Court Reporter

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED UPON RECEIPT FOR EARLIEST CONSIDERATION 

Court Reporters who perform real-time reporting services may be eligible for a pay differential, see benefits section.

POSITION SUMMARY 

Under general supervision, to provide the verbatim official record of all testimony and activity in cases heard before the Superior Court and to perform related duties as assigned. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is responsible for making verbatim official records of court proceedings using a stenograph machine or by voice writing and providing readback of all or portions of the record upon request.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents are prohibited from holding any outside employment which conflicts with providing the services required.  Court Reporters and Voice Writers must provide and maintain their own reporting and transcription equipment.  Per Government Code Section 69955, reporting notes shall be maintained by the court.  

• Attends court sessions as assigned and makes verbatim official records of the proceedings, often of a technical nature and at a high rate of speed.
• Provides immediate readback of all or portions of the record upon request.
• Prepares, or has prepared verbatim transcripts of proceedings upon request; certifies the accuracy of the transcripts; files official transcripts.
• Operates a variety of office equipment, including stenograph machines and/or voice writing equipment, computer, printers and related equipment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Certification:  Must possess and maintain a certificate as a Certified Shorthand Reporter through the use of stenography, voice writing, or both, issued by the State of California or evidence of successful testing in accordance with Government Code § 69942.

License:  Must possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license.

The ideal job applicant will possess all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) listed below and meet all minimum requirements.

Knowledge:

• California statutes relating to court reporting services.

• Legal, medical, and other technical terminology used during the course of court proceedings.

• Modern office methods and practices.

• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

• Current trends and developments in court reporting technology.

• Make a verbatim record of court proceedings using stenographic or voice writing equipment, including those required for death penalty proceedings, often of a technical nature, under conditions centering on controversy, and with tight deadlines.
• Immediately provide read back of all or portions of the record.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with judges, professional staff, court staff, and the general public.
• Adapt to changing court reporting technology, including, but not limited to, real time reporting. 

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use dexterity and coordination utilizing hands to finger, handle or feel objects, use a computer keyboard, view a computer monitor, handle files, single pieces of paper, stacks of papers, and reference and other materials; reach with hands and arms; and stoop and kneel.  Hearing and speaking are needed to listen effectively and to talk with individuals in person and by phone.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and move from place to place within the office.   The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds and reach for items above and below desk level.  Lifting objects weighing in excess of twenty-five (25) pounds will require team lifting.  The noise and traffic levels in the work environment are similar to a busy business office.

Normal business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  This position is FLSA non-exempt and overtime may occur occasionally.

• Shorthand Reporter Certificate
• A transcript produced within the last twelve (12) months.  Must be no longer than five (5) pages in length, with confidential information withheld