Official Court Reporter

Spokane County • Village of Fonda, NY

2d • $74,830 - $104,732 • Onsite

About The Position

This onsite position in the Superior Court performs highly skilled stenographic verbatim reporting, preservation, and transcription of court proceedings. The Official Court Reporter records court or other judicial proceedings and prepares transcripts when requested or required. The role may also involve serving as a judicial secretary to a Superior Court Judge. The incumbent indexes, maintains, and transcribes records for courts, attorneys, and litigants; establishes transcription formats for private requests; and maintains a close working relationship with the assigned judge. This confidential classification is at-will, serving at the pleasure of the Court. The position is 37.5 hours per week, and the recruitment is intended to fill one vacancy currently assigned to Judge Beggs.

Official Court Reporters receive the same paid six weeks off as the judge they are employed by. A Certified Court Reporter or Certified Shorthand Reporter license is required at hire and must be maintained throughout employment, including annual certification with the Washington State Department of Licensing. The position requires the experience or testing qualification specified under RCW 2.32.180. Post-secondary court reporter education, Registered Professional Reporter certification, and realtime experience are preferred.

The work environment is primarily indoors with moderate noise and temperature levels. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. The role may require work before or after regular court hours, as needed.

Requirements

• At least three years of experience as a skilled, practical reporter; alternatively, demonstrate the ability on examination to accurately report and transcribe 200 words per minute of two-voice testimony for five consecutive minutes, or pass a national test approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing, as specified by RCW 2.32.180 and WAC 308-14-085.
• A Certified Court Reporter (CCR) or Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) license is required at hire and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Maintain certification requirements under RCW 18.145.080, including annual certification with the Washington State Department of Licensing.
• Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Knowledge of legal, medical, and other technical terminology.
• Knowledge of courtroom practices and procedures.
• Skill using standard office equipment, including telephones, computers, printers, and copy machines, and proficiency operating and troubleshooting court reporting equipment, machines, and software.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and follow court rules and State laws related to the work.
• Ability to maintain records and files of stenographic notes, computer-aided notes, and verbatim transcripts.
• Ability to accurately hear and transcribe varied voice modulations under stressful conditions and concentrate regardless of physical surroundings.
• Ability to sit and maintain uninterrupted concentration for at least two hours at a time.
• Ability to report to work before or after regular court hours as required.
• Ability to provide and maintain court reporting equipment, writers, software, laptops, and related items.
• Submit a resume and cover letter with the application.

Nice To Haves

• Post-secondary education, preferably graduation from an accredited court reporter course emphasizing English, law, medical terminology, and phonetics.
• Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) certification.
• Realtime experience.

Responsibilities

• Report, transcribe, and preserve verbatim stenographic machine or computer-aided records of court proceedings, hearings, and conferences.
• Index and file notes and transcripts, and locate and read back portions of the record upon request.
• Produce transcripts efficiently and promptly; maintain custody and control of verbatim notes; prepare and maintain a detailed index of notes and files with the Superior Court Clerk in accordance with local and State rules.
• Coordinate with attorneys, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court to meet mandatory transcript deadlines and file transcripts on time under the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
• Assist with management of the judicial department and help maintain courtroom order, decorum, and acceptable behavior; handle hostile or volatile individuals and crisis situations effectively.
• Receive and direct court-related phone calls, take messages, determine needs, answer questions, and provide information as appropriate.
• Transcribe oral and memorandum opinions; prepare court correspondence; and proofread opinions and decisions at the judge's direction.
• Assist the court clerk with marking exhibits and administering oaths to witnesses.
• Work as a team with the judge and Judicial Assistant, and assist other judicial departments when coverage is needed.
• Provide realtime reporting to the judge by supplying an unedited electronic version of the verbatim record as proceedings are taken.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.
• Provide and maintain court reporting equipment, writers, software, and laptops.

Benefits

• Paid six weeks off, equivalent to the time off provided to the judge the reporter is employed by.
• Employer-paid health and related benefit contributions may include medical, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, and leave; actual total compensation varies by enrollment choices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed