Court Reporter

Kaufman County; Texas; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaufman County in Texas is seeking a Court Reporter to maintain an accurate verbatim record of all hearings, transcribe requested testimony, and read back testimony during trial. The role involves handling exhibits and preparing transcripts with indexing and binding.

The reporter must provide own stenographic equipment and adhere to professional standards. The position requires state certification as a Shorthand Reporter, a high school diploma or GED, and formal court reporting training.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma (or GED certificate).
• Two-year college or technical certificate from an accredited facility in a course specializing in court reporting.
• Six Months of experience to understand the duties of a court reporter.

Responsibilities

• Keeps accurate records of all proceedings, including transcripts and custody of stenographic notes.
• Transcribes and reads back testimony as requested; maintains exhibits.
• Produces trial worksheets and detailed logs.
• Keeps abreast of changes in court reporting laws and continuing education requirements.

Skills

Court reporting

Verbatim transcription

Courtroom communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma (or GED)

Two-year college certificate in court reporting

Job description

SUMMARY:

The Court Reporter is responsible for keeping an accurate, verbatim record of all hearings by stenographic means, to be used as the official record for appeal purposes when necessary, transcribing verbatim any hearings on request, reading back testimony during trial, keeping track of and maintaining custody of exhibits during trial, and proofreading, binding, and indexing transcripts by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains accurate records of all proceedings, including compiling trial worksheets, transcribing and reading back testimony as requested, filing and retaining custody of stenographic notes, making and keeping track of exhibits, and making a detailed log.
• Keeps abreast of technological advances and changes in the law regarding court reporters’ duties and the law and fulfills state requirements for continuing education.
• Controls or monitors exhibits, which may include drugs, money, weapons, etc.
• Performs other job-related duties as directed by supervisor(s).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and Experience:

• Must have a high school diploma (or GED certificate)
• Two-year college or technical certificate from an accredited facility in a course specializing in court reporting
• Six Months of experience to understand the duties of a court reporter.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to question court clerks, attorneys, judges, witnesses, and others. Ability to negotiate with attorneys and/or the general public. Ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing, including proper grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, and ratios to practical situations. Ability to estimate the size and cost of the transcript and time needed to complete the transcript, and to prioritize transcript preparation.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to determine when to go off and on record when there is no pronouncement and when to interrupt court proceedings. Ability to determine whether extension of time is needed to file statement of facts.
• Ability to operate a computer using standard word processing, using reference source material such as dictionaries, case law, public library, law library, Texas Legal Directory, phone books, West’s Statutes and Codes, data from lawyers, judges, physicians, police stations, Physicians’ Desk Reference, exhibits, Court’s file, and other sources to help in verifying information.
• Ability to maintain composure and both quantity and quality of work in stressful situations.
• Ability to use advanced social skills to blend into a courtroom setting without drawing undue attention to self, and ability to sit still and expressionless for hours at a time.
• Ability to provide own courtroom equipment.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Certified Shorthand Reporter (required by State, Supreme Court, and Kaufman County.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position involves sitting at a desk or other workstation; typing; filing; making copies; standing and communicating with other county personnel, elected officials, external agencies, and the general public. Occasionally required to lift up to 20 lbs.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, climb a ladder, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Specific hearing abilities required by this job include listening to non-verbal sounds such as alarms, signals, and unusual noises. Specific coordination abilities required by this job include coordinating motions of eyes and hands for computer and stenography.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned, smoke-free office. Continuous work at a computer keyboard. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Employees in this job face a high risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and/or arthritis, tension headaches, back and shoulder pain, and extreme stress due to long periods of sitting during court and transcription. Employees deal with hostilities exhibited by parties or attorneys in lawsuits, and with the resulting tension in the courtroom. (Due to the nature of some hearings, the possibility exists of the use of weapons or a threatening demeanour.) Work outside of the normal office (Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm) may be required to meet deadlines and accuracy requirements.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Kaufman County, Texas, commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state, and federal laws. The County’s policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law.

This bulletin is not a contract, neither express nor implied.

Any provision herein may be modified or revoked.