District Courtroom Clerk/Court Reporter I/II

State of Nebraska•Papillion, NE

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation is hiring a full-time District Courtroom Clerk/Official Court Reporter I or II for Sarpy County District Court in Nebraska’s 2nd Judicial District. The position reports directly to District Court Judge Stefanie Martinez and involves courtroom work to capture and maintain accurate records of court proceedings. Court Reporter I and II duties include making verbatim official records and transcripts of trials, hearings, and conferences. Court Reporter II employees hold the required realtime reporting certification. The District Courtroom Clerk role focuses on courtroom and case-management support, including entering information into DOCKET, operating and monitoring electronic recording equipment, logging proceedings, and maintaining exhibits and records. The position may advance to Official Court Reporter I, with online education and certification reimbursement provided for that advancement. The position is based at the Sarpy County Courthouse, 1210 Golden Gate Drive, Papillion, Nebraska. During probation, the listed annual hiring rates are $40,822.75 for District Court Courtroom Clerk, $57,441.71 for Court Reporter I, and $66,495.95 for Court Reporter II. The listed minimum permanent annual rates after probation are $41,843.37, $58,877.74, and $68,158.37, respectively. For official court reporters who do not wish to freelance, the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation offers the option to purchase and maintain equipment and software. Equipment may include computers and monitors, stenographic machines and transcription software, microphones or handheld backup audio devices, secure cloud storage, and digital recording systems and software. Duties may vary, and employees may not be assigned every duty listed. Court reporting personnel may be asked to undergo competency evaluations. The role is primarily sedentary, with some slight physical effort of no more than 20 pounds. Prolonged sitting, standing, or walking, repetitive hand and wrist motions, travel, exposure to fast-paced courtroom activity, and some late hours may be possible depending on the duties assigned.

Requirements

District Courtroom Clerk: High school graduation or equivalent and two years of courtroom clerk experience; education beyond high school may substitute for work experience year for year.
Court Reporter I: Demonstrate professional competence under the applicable Nebraska Supreme Court Rules Relating to Court Reporting Personnel. Accepted documentation may include qualifying examinations or certification through approved organizations, an equivalent state court-reporting certification, or official documentation from a court reporting school verifying the required skills upon graduation.
Court Reporter I candidates using a multichannel digital recorder must pass both the AAERT Certified Electronic Court Reporter (CER) and Certified Electronic Transcriber (CET) tests in compliance with Nebraska Supreme Court rules.
Court Reporter II: Meet the applicable professional competence requirements and hold a Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) certification through NCRA, a Federal Certified Realtime Reporter (FCRR) certification, or an equivalent certification.
All educational credits must be from an institution accredited by an entity approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
District Courtroom Clerk: Complete on-the-job training in JUSTICE within six months of hire.
District Courtroom Clerk: Demonstrate competence in digital recording equipment use and maintenance, routine malfunction diagnosis and correction, note-taking and logging, courtroom procedures and legal vocabulary, exhibit admission procedures, and accurate computer typing while simultaneously monitoring proceedings.
Court Reporter I and II: Demonstrate professional competence as defined in Nebraska Supreme Court Rules Relating to Court Reporting Personnel § 1-204(E).
District Courtroom Clerk: Ability to perform clerical functions using office equipment, type accurately in real time while monitoring proceedings, organize and work under pressure, and interact effectively with a variety of people.
District Courtroom Clerk: Knowledge of court recording equipment functions and maintenance and working knowledge of JUSTICE and DOCKET; ability to navigate case-management options in response to case type, judicial direction, and information presented, and to promote a proper and respectful courtroom atmosphere.
Court Reporter I and II: Knowledge of computer-aided transcription software; legal, medical, and technical terminology; recording equipment, computer terminals, printers, office systems, secretarial practices, word-processing and internet software, court rules, procedures, and legal vocabulary.
Court Reporter I and II: Recordkeeping skills; advanced spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, and grammar; accurate transcription from audio; word-processing and internet application skills; written and oral communication, proofreading, and editorial skills; and interpersonal skills for dealing effectively with personnel and the public.
Court Reporter I and II: Travel may be required. Extended periods seated behind a computer or other equipment, repetitive wrist, hand, and finger motions, and some late hours may occur.
Positions are primarily sedentary, with some slight physical effort required, not exceeding 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Legal experience.
Bilingual skills in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

For the District Courtroom Clerk role, enter case information in DOCKET, an enhancement of the JUSTICE court case management system, to support creation of orders and other official court records.
Type portions of a judge’s decision in real time while monitoring proceedings.
Check and operate electronic recording equipment to record and log court proceedings; play back recordings for the judge or jury when requested.
Maintain automated proceeding logs and correlate logged information with recorded data.
Mark and log exhibits accepted into the record, note participant appearances and behavior and session times, and maintain and store court recordings.
Supervise witness sign-in and maintain courtroom supplies.
For Court Reporter I and II roles, make verbatim official recordings and realtime records of trials, hearings, conferences, and other proceedings.
Read back transcripts or statements of participants during proceedings when requested.
Transcribe proceedings in required formats, review and certify transcript accuracy, and file transcripts on time for appeals or court orders.
Identify participants by name to facilitate reporting; prepare, distribute, and preserve transcripts, reports, and related documents.
Maintain files and records of notes and exhibits; enter case information in DOCKET; perform court-related clerical duties; and attend meetings and training as required.

Benefits

79% employer-paid health and prescription insurance.
Dental and vision insurance plans available to purchase.
Short-term and long-term disability insurance available to purchase.
Employee Assistance Program for confidential support.
Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account options.
156% state match of the first 4.8% contribution to the retirement plan.
Free $20,000 life insurance policy; optional life insurance and AD&D available to purchase.
13 paid holidays annually.
Paid vacation and sick leave accruing immediately.
Military leave and funeral/bereavement leave.
Paid training to develop skills.
Free continuing education credits to maintain professional certifications.
Access to specialized courses through Judicial Branch Education.
Opportunity for bilingual pay.
Online education and certification reimbursement to support advancement from District Courtroom Clerk to Official Court Reporter I.
For eligible official court reporters, the agency may purchase and maintain reporting equipment and software.