Humboldt Superior Court is hiring: Court Reporter/Voice Writer in Eureka

Salary: $39.0782 - $47.4999

Job Title: Court Reporter/Voice Writer

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: AFSCME; Job Class:6205

POSITION SUMMARY

Under general supervision, records verbatim stenographic notes and accounts of court proceedings; transcribes such notes as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is responsible for providing a verbatim record of court proceedings using machine shorthand or voice writing technology and providing readback of all or portions of the record upon request. Incumbents in this classification are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to court reporting, while working with a high degree of independent judgment, tact, and initiative.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES (Essential duties may vary from position to position within this classification. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the Court to be appropriate under applicable law.)

• Records and compiles a verbatim record of courtroom proceedings and testimony, including words spoken, movement of proceeding participants and actions taken;
• Asks Judge for clarification of instructions, orders, or other actions to properly note the official record;
• Reads back all, or portions of, the official court proceedings including previously spoken testimony to judges, counsel, witnesses and jurors during court proceedings, to judges in chambers, to jurors during deliberation upon instruction from the judge, and to attorneys or parties upon request;
• Transcribes and prepares verbatim notes in printed or magnetic media transcripts

using computer-aided transcription software within prescribed time deadlines;

• Reviews, proofreads, collates, certifies, binds, and delivers printed transcripts of court proceedings as required;
• Researches, prepares and provides excerpts of testimony or transcripts of proceedings in typed and verbal form as requested, for verification of certain elements of testimony or argument, by the court, counsel, or government agencies;
• Performs basic legal and office file research to ensure appropriate case documentation of names, quotations and similar information;
• Maintains a variety of electronic and paper files and records; uses such to prepare reports related to work performed: and
• May transcribe and/or provide transcripts for other public bodies such as the Grand Jury.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• Use, adjustment and minor maintenance of stenographic and similar equipment related to court reporter work;
• Basic legal, medical and related technical terminology and processes;
• Courtroom practices and procedures;
• Real time reporting is preferable; and
• Business English, including spelling, punctuation and grammar; and
  
• Demonstrate court operations and procedure, courtroom etiquette and conventions.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Taking verbatim dictation of courtroom and related proceedings at a rate certified to perform the work;
• Transcribing such information rapidly and accurately 200 words per minute;

• Doing basic legal and related research to verify transcribed information;
• Maintaining attention to detail, organizing and prioritizing work and meeting critical time deadlines;

• Maintaining accurate records of work performed;
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions;

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work;
• Operate a stenotype machine or voice writing equipment;

• Perform court reporting work with accuracy and speed;
• Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple deadlines and transcript requests;
• Provide a realtime feed of court proceedings at the request of the Court;
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;

• Operate office equipment and computer applications related to the work.
• Use tact, discretion, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
  
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems;
• Respond to and effectively prioritize multiple deadlines and transcript requests;
• Operate a stenotype machine or voice writing equipment;
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions;
• Maintaining attention to detail, organizing and prioritizing work and meeting critical time deadlines;
• Transcribing such information rapidly and accurately 200 words per minute;

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Possession of a valid Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) license issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Court Reporters Board of California for either shorthand reporting or voice writing.
• Realtime reporting is highly desirable. In order to receive the differential, incumbents must be Realtime-certified by either the National Court Reporters Association, or the Deposition Reporters Association, or have successfully passed a Realtime test administered by the Court.
  
• 3-5 years court reporting experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a valid California drivers license may be required
• Passing a detailed background and/or criminal history check

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or are encountered by an employee while successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regularly Required

• Sit at a desk and/or in front of a computer terminal
• Twist and bend neck
• Repetitive hand movement while performing computer data entry as well as writing
• Stand while assisting employees
• Reach above and below shoulder height
• Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 10 lbs.
• Push and/or pull drawers of desk and/or file cabinets

Frequently Required

• Kneel, crouch and stoop while retrieving materials from shelves and cabinets
• Tolerate mild exposure to dust
• Grasp, lift and move items weighing up to 25 lbs.

Occasionally Required

• Move items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Crawl and/or climb while retrieving materials
• Drive to various meeting locations
• Travel to various court divisions