Court Reporter Pro Tempore (As Needed Stenographer or Voice Writer) Job at Place

Salary : $100,796.80 - $119,745.60 Annually

Location : Auburn/Roseville, CA

Job Type: Pro Tem

Department: Operations

Division: Court Reporters

Opening Date: 04/08/2024

Recruitment Information: Check out our Recruitment Video: https://www.placer.courts.ca.gov/general-information/employment/working-at-the-courtThis recruitment will remain open until filled. IMPORTANT: If you do not show for your scheduled interview or withdraw with less than 24 hour notice you will be barred for one year from applying for any position with the Court.

Job Summary

Special Information for Court Reporter Pro Tempore positions:

• Court Reporter Pro Tempore positions are extra-help positions with an intermittent schedule. Notice of available work assignments will be provided with as much advanced notice as possible. Same day assignment offers may occur.
  
• Court Reporter Pro Tempore positions will be paid in half-day (4 hour) and full-day (8 hour) increments. Work that extends beyond eight hours in a single day will be paid at an hourly rate, consistent with the court's timekeeping and overtime policies.
  
• Court Reporter Pro Tempore employees may not work more than 960 hours per fiscal year.
  
• Court Reporter Pro Tempore employees can become eligible for medical, dental and vision benefits under certain circumstances. The court will review eligibility for medical, dental, and vision benefits every six (6) months. If a Court Reporter Pro Tempore employee worked a minimum of 480 paid hours in a designated six (6) month period, the Court Reporter Pro Tempore employee will be eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits for the following designated six (6) month period. The court's contributions to these benefits will be based on the proportion of hours worked in the designated six-month period compared to the hours that would have been worked by a full-time employee. To continue benefits, an employee must be credited with a minimum of 480 paid hours in each subsequent designated six (6) month period. If these minimum hours are not met, the Court Reporter Pro Tem will lose eligibility. Court Reporter Pro Tempore positions are not eligible for medical in lieu benefits. Court Reporter Pro Tempore positions are extra help positions for the purposes of all benefits, including leaves, not specifically listed above.
  
• Court Reporter Pro Tempore employees notified prior to 4:00 pm the day prior to their previously scheduled work day are not entitled to compensation. Court Reporter Pro Tempore employees who are notified after 4:00 pm the day prior to a previously scheduled work day that they are no longer needed, will be entitled to either: 1) report as originally scheduled or 2) inform the court that they will not report and receive two (2) hours of pay.

The Court Reporter plays a vital part in the judicial process. Accuracy is imperative, as transcripts produced by court reporters are utilized as the official record, by court users and justice partners alike. As a Court Reporter with Placer Superior Court, you will be part of a fantastic team of reporters and enjoy special incentives as well as amazing benefits. Please Note: Pro Tem will be limited to 960 hours per fiscal year.

DEFINITION
Under general supervision, the court reporter records and transcribes verbatim official records and proceedings of all testimony and activity in cases heard before the Superior Court, utilizes the real-time program and transcribes pursuant to standards promulgated by statutes, rules, regulations or policies.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a single level classification. Employees in this classification are responsible for making verbatim official records of court proceedings in machine shorthand and providing read back of all or portions of the record upon request.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Court Reporters are subject matter experts and are assigned responsibilities at the journey level; possess specialized knowledge, skills, and experience and often exercise independent judgment in the performance of their duties.Incumbents report to a Unit Manager. Work assignments are typically assigned by the Unit Manager or a Senior Court Clerk or similar classification.
Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Attends court sessions as assigned and makes verbatim official records of the proceedings, often of a technical nature and at a high rate of speed.
• Provides real-time reporting.
• Reads back all or portions of the official court proceedings upon instruction from the judicial officer.
• Identify speakers properly, and note the introduction of exhibits or evidence.
• Prepares, or has prepared, transcripts of proceedings upon request; certifies the accuracy of court transcripts; files official transcripts. Preparation of transcripts are governed by statutes, rules, regulations, and court policy.
• Meet court-fixed and statutory deadlines for transcriptions, obtain extensions when necessary.
• Report proceedings as directed by the court or judicial officer.
• Researches as necessary to verify case citations, spellings of legal, medical, and other specialized terms used in the case.
• Prepares indices of witnesses and exhibits.
• 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.
• Operates a variety of office equipment, including transcription machines, computer terminals, printers and related equipment.
• Responds to requests and inquiries from courtroom proceedings participants.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge Of:

• Principles and practices of court reporting;
• Legal, medical and administrative terminology, phraseology, documents, forms and procedures;
• Proper English usage, correct grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation;
• Court reporting and transcription equipment, including real-time equipment;
• Courtroom procedures and protocol;
• California statutes relating to court reporting services such as, Code of Civil Procedure, Probate Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, California Rules of Court;
• Modern office methods and practices;
• Current trends and developments in court reporting technology; and
• Clerical and legal record keeping practices and procedures.

Ability To:

• Take dictation at a speed of 200 words per minute;
• Type at a speed of 50 words per minute;
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing using correct English, and proofread accurately;
• Record and transcribe court proceedings verbatim, accurately, continuously for several hours and provide real-time reporting;
• Follow verbal and written instructions;
• Listen to and understand conversations of the court in order to prepare a verbatim record of the proceedings;
• Adjust to changes in workloads and work under the constraints of meetings deadlines;
• Prioritize work to meet courtroom deadlines;
• Operate a transcriber, computer, stenotype machine and other related office equipment;
• Punctually arrive at work and in courtroom to prepare for court proceedings;
• Adapt to changing court reporting technology, including, but not limited to, real time reporting;
• Understand, explain, and apply legal terminology, codes and procedures;
• Exercise judgment in applying policies and procedures;
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with judicial officers, attorneys, and court staff; respond professionally and courteously to the bar and the public;
• Maintain confidential information where standards require; and
• Work independently in a courtroom environment.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Possession of a valid certification by the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs as a Certified Shorthand Reporter. License must be in good standing and fees must be current at all times. Must provide copy of current license to Court Reporter Supervisor each time it is renewed.

Prior experience in a courtroom as a certified court reporter is preferred.
Supplemental Information

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

Criminal History and Background Checks:
Candidates are required to pass a fingerprint clearance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ). Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying.
License Requirement:
Possession of a valid driver's license may be required depending on the position or the ability to provide alternate methods of transportation that meets job requirements. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Occasional lifting and moving of objects weighting up to 25 pounds;
• Ability to sit, stand, and/or walk for long periods of time;
• Ability to move from one place to another place within a facility;
• Periodically required travel to other locations;
• Some reaching for items above and below desk level;
• Speak and hear;
• Use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls;
• Perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists;
• Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus; and
• The incumbent may be required to work hours beyond their regularly scheduled shift.

Working Conditions:
Job duties are generally performed in an indoor office setting with environmental controls. Assigned work is performed in a standard courtroom setting. Assigned incumbents are expected to work inside buildings, alone, or closely with others. Routine noises and noise levels occur within the work environment. This classification may be required to drive to other Placer Superior Court locations and may opt to be cross assigned to other Superior Court locations throughout California.

Note:
This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this job classification. It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of personnel in all divisions and/or a location so classified, nor are it intended to limit the authority of supervisors or manager to assign or direct the activities of employee.

Court Reporter Pro Tempore employees, notwithstanding the designation as an extra help employee, may be eligible for medical, dental and vision benefits as defined in this paragraph. The court will review eligibility for medical, dental, and vision benefits every six months. If a Court Reporter Pro Tempore employee worked a minimum of 480 paid hours in a designated six month period, the Court Reporter Pro Tempore employee shall be eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits for the following designated six month period. The employee shall be entitled to court contributions based on the proportion of hours worked in the designated six-month period compared to the hours that would have been worked by a full-time employee. To continue benefits, an employee must be credited with a minimum of 480 paid hours in each subsequent designated six month period. If these minimum hours are not met, the Court Reporter Pro Tem will lose eligibility For the purposes of this Section, the designated six (6) month periods are January 1 through June 30 and July 1 through December 31 of each calendar year. Court Reporter Pro Tempore positions are not eligible for medical in lieu benefits, and retired annuitants are exempt from these provisions. Court employment qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.