Digital Court Reporter / ADR Coordinator

County Commissioners of Kent County, MD•Chestertown, MD

11d

About The Position

Digital Court Reporter Under the direction of the Administrative Judge for the Circuit Court for Kent County, the Digital Court Reporter, an at will position, is responsible for the recordings of all courtroom proceedings. Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator Responsibilities: The ADR Coordinator manages and oversees the daily operation of the mediation program. Courtroom Technology Manager Managing, conducting, and assisting with all courtroom technology systems; JIS updates; Zoom; Polycom; courtroom AV. Ensure proper implementation of courtroom technology based on court policy and procedure. Assisting judicial personnel, litigants, attorneys with day of zoom hearings in both courtrooms (Circuit Courtroom and District Courtroom used by circuit court.

Requirements

Knowledge of Circuit Court operations, basic trial practice, legal procedures, and Maryland Rules.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Judges, attorneys, and colleagues and preserve confidentiality.
Ability to issue and follow verbal and written instructions; keep record and logs.
Ability to use various computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite; Next Ge/Jury Plus and Odyssey Navigator/MDEC software.
Ability to communicate effectively with the public to provide instructions to groups of prospective jurors.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Working independently while utilizing the court reporting system, CourtSmart, to record and accurately take notes of all court proceedings.
Ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive court matter and case types.
Maintaining, preserving, and storing court logs, CD’s and court reporting material.
Providing CD’s of court proceedings upon request; submitting and processing payments to finance office.
Creating and managing vendor list of court approved transcribers.
Providing a vendor list and assistance to individuals seeking transcription services.
Assisting the Court Administrator when she is unavailable or out of office with administrative duties.
Maintaining and annually reviewing court reporting equipment and supplies. Works directly with vendor on current and future system upgrades.
Scheduling coverage for court reporters for other courtroom use.
Attending, participating, and representing the court in court reporting meetings with Administrative Office of the Courts.
Developing and maintaining court recording manual and processes.
Reviewing civil non-domestic cases on MDEC to determine whether they are appropriate for mediation and, if so, which roster mediator would be best suited for the case and preparing and submitting proposed Mediation Orders to the Court.
Assisting mediators who have questions regarding the Program or issues with scheduling the mediations in their cases, dealing with counsel, etc.; tracking the cases to assure that mediation deadlines are met, that mediator reports and participant/attorney evaluations are timely filed.
Managing the mediator roster, ensuring that mediators complete their continuing education requirements and submit the required documentation, reviewing new applicants to the roster and drafting response letters.
Organizing periodic round table meetings for roster mediators where they can raise questions about procedure, exchange information about their experiences and approaches, and identify as a coherent group. Finding presenters for multi-county, annual continuing education training; organizing and putting together all aspects of the training, including obtaining approval from the court and the judiciary, publicizing the event, communicating with attendees, preparing hand-outs, obtaining training space and video-audio equipment, providing refreshments for participants, providing certificates of attendance, and distributing and collecting program evaluations.
Assessing Program structure, performance, forms etc.; developing and proposing modifications and improvements; attempting to ensure that the program meets with the applicable Court Rules and Grant objectives.
Gathering data regarding the cases assigned to mediation, meeting with the Court and court personnel regarding mediation issues, responding to inquiries regarding mediation from the public, parties, and attorneys,
Attending periodic ADR manager meetings to evaluate, assess and compare ADR programs in counties Statewide.
Preparing MACRO reports and grant applications in coordination with the Court and the Kent County Finance Director.
Assist with ODR – new Online Dispute Resolution method for mediation. Scheduling, coordinating remote access and invitations to parties per Mediation Order.
Trouble shoots all courtroom devices.