Court Reporter - Real Time (Steno/Voice Writer)

Definition

The court reporters record and transcribe verbatim stenographic accounts of official court proceedings utilizing the real time program. Supervision received and exercised.

Essential Functions

• Take and transcribe verbatim minutes of all Court proceedings as required utilizing Realtime within reporting software (e.g. Livenote or Caseview) which includes accessing conflict resolution, dictionary entries and phonetic dictionary.
• Reads back all or portions of the official court proceedings upon instruction from the judge; Identify speakers properly, and note the introduction of exhibits or evidence.
• Prepare transcriptions in proper legal form.
• Meet court-fixed deadlines for transcriptions.
• Report proceedings, which may include: criminal, conservatorship, mental competency hearings, civil and criminal contempt, juvenile, civil 232, family law, civil jury trials, petitions for extraordinary relief, injunctions, and writs (i.e. of mandated, prohibition and habeas corpus).
• Attend staff and other work-related meetings, workshops, seminars, and other continuing education opportunities.
• Serve as a representative of the Court, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration and discretion in all interactions with other members of the Court community and with the public.

Marginal Functions

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of: Legal, medical and administrative terminology, phraseology, documents, and procedures.
• Grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.
• Realtime principles and skills, including writing Realtime within his or her software, e.g. Livenote or Caseview.
• Court reporting and transcription equipment, including connection setup with judicial bench inside the courtroom.
• Courtroom procedures and protocol.

Skills and Abilities

• To take dictation at a speed of 220 words per minute.
• Type at a speed of 50 words per minute.
• Use correct English, and proofread accurately.
• Record court proceedings verbatim continuously for several hours.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Listen to and understand conversations of the court in order to prepare a verbatim record.
• Be patient, tactful and courteous when dealing with judges and officers of the court, the public and co-workers.
• Transcribe court proceedings accurately from court reporting notes.
• Adjust to changes in workloads and work under the stress of meetings deadlines.
• Verbally communicate recorded court proceedings as required by the court.
• Be punctual both to work and in the courtroom.
• Operate a transcriber, computer and other related office equipment.
• Punctually arrive at work area to make preparations for court proceedings.

Education and Experience

• The combination of education and experience listed as follows are the minimum qualifications:
• Educational requirement: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade AND completion of an accredited court reporting school.
• Experience: One-year experience in the courtroom as a certified court reporter.

Additional Information

• Work Conditions: The demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or are encountered by an employee while successfully performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Regularly Required: Sit at a desk and/or in front of a transcriber and/or computer video display terminal, Twist and bend neck, Repetitive hand movement while transcribing, performing computer data entry and writing, Prioritize work in order to meet departmental deadlines.
• Frequently Required: Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 10 lbs., Reach above shoulder height.
• Occasionally Required: Bend at waist and reach below shoulder height, Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 50 lbs., Crouch, stoop and/or climb.

Benefits

• Health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Medical PPO plan, dental and vision coverage are available.
• Dependent coverage is also available.
• Life insurance coverage of $10,000 is provided.
• All positions are eligible for long-term and/or State disability insurance.
• Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security.
• Employee Assistance Program, Employee Recognition Program, IRS Section 125 Program (provides tax savings for insurance costs, dependent care costs and unreimbursed medical expenses), and Deferred Compensation plans are available.

Required Questions

• Describe your experience in taking and transcribing notes of court proceedings or other legal proceedings.
• Describe your Real Time writing experience.
• What procedure or technique do you use during legal proceedings (courtroom, closed hearing or other) when you encounter a speaker that you cannot understand clearly?
• List the types of proceedings in which you have performed reporting services.
• Can you accurately take dictation at a rate of 220 wpm? YesNo
• Indicate your dictation speed.
• List all reporting certifications and licenses you currently possess.
• Can you accurately type at 50 wpm? YesNo