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United States Senate

Official Reporter of Debates

United States Senate, PA, United States


Official Reporter of Debates

Organization
Secretary of the Senate

DepartmentOfficial Reporters of Debates

SALARY RANGE:
SEC-12: $112722-$174723

FEDERAL RELAY SERVICE:
Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the Federal Relay Service at1-800-877-8339 TTY

TELEWORK:
This position is not eligible for telework.

FLSA STATUS:
Belo 60

DEADLINE FORAPPLICATIONS:
12/30/2024 at 7:00pm EST

JOB DESCRIPTION:

NATURE OF WORK
This is specialized, professional stenographic work reporting and editing the oral proceedings of the Senate and incorporating proper parliamentary language for publication in the Congressional Record (the Record). Work includes taking verbatim record of daily Senate oral proceedings and editing information for grammatical and technical errors to ensure accuracy of the Record. Work is bound by Secretary of the Senate policies and procedures; the U.S. Senate Handbook; and the Senate Ethics Manual, but requires independent judgment in setting priorities and handling assignments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Report and edit the verbatim oral proceedings of the Senate; report legislative measures being considered in the Senate with proper parliamentary language; report party caucuses using a stenographic machine; identify and correct grammatical and contextual errors of spoken words to present information accurately in the Record; insert appropriate punctuation; research and verify accuracy of quotations, citations, names, and dates referred to in debate; and make necessary corrections to accurately reflect information in the Record.
Verify with Senate floor staff or Senators if there is a question about whether information should be included in the Record; coordinate removal/insertion of information in the transcripts of other Official Reporters of Debates (Reporters), at the request of Senators; and work closely with floor staff and other Reporters to ensure continuity of information reported throughout the day.
Ensure appropriate material is included in the Record; obtain copies of documents not read on the floor but requested to be printed in the Record; determine proper insertion point of statements and information not read on the floor but requested to be included in the Record; insert material according to established guidelines; and confirm with floor staff the accuracy of spoken words that are not clearly identifiable.
Review work of Expert Transcribers for accuracy and clarity of transcribed material; and identify and resolve formatting errors or concerns with Expert Transcribers.
Listen attentively to all Senate floor activity in order to accurately report official debate and other remarks made on the Senate floor.
Maintain current knowledge of the Office of Official Reporters of Debates Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan; and participate in periodic exercises and drills.

As part of the Secretary's customer service initiative (known as R.A.T.E.), provide all customers with the highest level of customer service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in an office environment and on the Senate floor with exposure to everyday risks and discomforts, and requires the use of normal safety precautions. Work requires frequent walking, prolonged standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds with the use of a shoulder harness and tray; extensive reading and computer use; regular use of typical office equipment, software programs, and methods of communication such as a computer, email, telephone, and photocopier. Regular, predictable, and punctual attendance is required for performance of duties. Work also requires physical presence in the office, except as otherwise required by the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. This position is tied to the Senate Floor schedule and requires working extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires a high school diploma and either state court reporter certification or National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) certification with a minimum of seven years of professional field experience; and the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Basic knowledge of the Senate as an institution, Senate procedures and organization, congressional documents/terminology, and the legislative process preferred, with a desire and willingness to learn more about the history and operation of the Senate.
Knowledge of parliamentary procedure and ability to report proceedings accurately while ensuring material conforms to parliamentary procedure.
Knowledge of American history and current events.
Knowledge of English, including grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, spelling, and vocabulary.
Knowledge of Senate rules and protocol regarding order and decorum in and around the Senate floor.
Skill in the operation and use of stenographic and transcription equipment.
Knowledge of CaseCatalyst software preferred; ability to learn CaseCatalyst software required.
Ability to listen and write for continuity, sense, and detail while walking or standing with stenographic equipment.
Ability to quickly and accurately identify Senators by sight and voice.
Ability to retain and quickly recall information.
Ability to work extended and unscheduled hours as dictated by the Senate schedule.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to travel and work inside or outside of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, in the event of an emergency that requires relocation of the Senate.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
State court reporter or NCRA certification required, with the following three certifications preferred: Registered Merit Reporter (RMR), Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR), or Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR).

Veteran'sPreference:
Hiring for this position will be governed by the Veterans EmploymentOpportunity Act of 1998 ("VEOA"), as made applicable by the CongressionalAccountability Act of 1995. Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who arenot current employees of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate and who aredisabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certainspecified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns ("veterans")may be eligible to receive a preference over non-veterans in hiring decisions.Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans'preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans' preference.

To be eligible for a veterans' preference, applicants must meet all of therequirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Thoseeligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans'Preference, which may be obtained by visiting: https://www.senate.gov/employment/resources/pdf/SOS_VeteransPreference.pdf

If claiming a veterans' preference, an applicant must indicate that he/she ispreference eligible on the application or resume and must submit a completedcopy of the Application for Veterans' Preference along with the supportingdocumentation specified on that form. If the Office of the Secretary of theSenate does not receive the Application for Veterans' Preference and supportingdocumentation by the closing date, the applicant's claim for a veterans'preference may be denied.

Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office's Veterans' Preference inAppointments policy by submitting a written request to resumes@sec.senate.gov.
Individuals who are entitled to a veterans' preference are invited toself-identify voluntarily. This information is intended solely for use inconnection with the Office of the Secretary of the Senate's obligations andefforts to provide veterans' preference to preference-eligible applicants inaccordance with the VEOA. An applicant's status as a disabled veteran and anyinformation regarding an applicant's disability, including the applicant'smedical condition and history, will be kept confidential and will be collected,maintained and used in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of1990, as made applicable by section 102(a)(3) of the CAA, 2 U.S.C. §1302(a)(3).An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and/or toprovide information and documentation regarding his/her disabled veteran'sstatus will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but theindividual may be ruled ineligible for a veterans' preference.