Electronic Court Reporter Instructor (Judicial)

In any of the four counties and under the supervision of the Policy Associate, the Electronic Court Reporter Instructor (Instructor) shall fulfill the duties and responsibilities of an Electronic Court Reporter as well as provide formal training and guidance to newly hired Electronic Court Reporters.  The Instructor shall also review the transcripts of Electronic Court Reporters in-training to ensure consistency and accuracy of work product.   

Electronic Court Reporters capture the verbatim record in the courtroom using digital recording equipment, monitor the audio and enter log notes of the proceedings; provide transcripts or copies of audio files upon request by the Court, attorneys, litigants, and members of the public; label, control and store records; prepare and maintain a proceeding log; provide playback in the courtroom upon request of the judicial officer, perform minor maintenance on recording equipment and correct minor malfunctions; prepare and proofread original transcripts consistent with standardized formatting; maintain accurate files and records of work-in-progress and completed work; work in the office when not in a courtroom; and any and all other related duties as may be assigned by the Presiding Justice of the Superior Court, the Court Administrator, or his/her designee.

The Instructor will develop and update uniform training materials for approval by the Administrative Office of the Superior Court that will address the use and maintenance of electronic recording equipment, courtroom calendar and trial protocols, all aspects of taking the verbatim record and transcription formatting and production; oversee the Superior Court’s formal training program for newly hired Electronic Court Reporters, provide training status reports regarding readiness for assignment to the Court Administrator or his/her designee; disburse updated information regarding software usage, transcript formatting, and conduct information and training exercises in both proofreading and punctuation.  The Instructor shall remain current with improvements and evolutions in digital audio recording hardware and software technology, and shall provide information and recommendations to the Court Administrator or his/her designee and the Office of Judicial Technology regarding equipment and software needs, courtroom equipment configuration, repairs, and regularly scheduled testing of the equipment.  

The Instructor shall work in concert with the Court Reporter Instructor Reporter Instructor in conducting reviews of transcripts from Electronic Court Reporter trainees and shall edit and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the final transcript.  

Graduation from an accredited high school with courses in typing and/or data processing; college degree preferred.  The possession of a Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) certificate from the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) a plus; must have at least 3-5 years’ experience with electronic audio and/or video recording equipment in the Rhode Island Judiciary; prior experience as a stenographic reporter a plus, or any combination of the above education and experience.

Must have a thorough knowledge of:

• Punctuation, grammar, and spelling;
• Legal practice and case citations; 
• Mandatory page formatting of transcripts,
• Digital electronic sound equipment.