Court Reporter-Steno

State of Montana; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Retirement plans

Paid vacation

Sick leave and Holidays

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

The State of Montana Judicial Branch seeks an Official Court Reporter for the 11th Judicial District in Kalispell, MT. The role captures verbatim court proceedings using stenograph or recording equipment and prepares official transcripts for distribution.

Responsibilities include setting up equipment, monitoring proceedings, ensuring accuracy, and providing coverage for other judges. A criminal background check is required; travel may be needed and evenings/weekends are possible.

Qualifications

• Postsecondary court reporting program (NCRA-approved) preferred.
• Experience in a courtroom is preferred but new graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to operate and troubleshoot recording systems and produce transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Capture and preserve verbatim court proceedings using stenography or recording equipment and transcription software.
• Set up and monitor recording equipment in courtrooms and related locations.
• Maintain complete, intelligible records including nonverbal cues.
• Transcribe, proofread, certify, and distribute official transcripts.
• Provide court reporter coverage for other judges within the district.

Skills

Typing skills

Operate recording systems

Attention to detail

Court procedures understanding

Education

Postsecondary court reporting program (NCRA-approved)

Tools

Stenograph machine

Computerized recording equipment

Transcription software

Job description

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

This position is posted until filled.

Applications with missing required documents will not be reviewed in the recruitment process.

The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check. Travel may be required and working hours may include evenings & weekends.

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

Position Overview:

• Technical work as an Official Court Reporter for the 11th Judicial District in Kalispell, MT.

Job Duties:

• Pursuant to Montana Code Annotated 3-5-603, solely responsible for capturing and preserving a verbatim record of court proceedings using computerized recording equipment or a stenograph machine and computer-aided transcription software.
• Set up equipment, conduct sound check, monitor operation of an dismantle recording equipment or stenograph machine in courtroom, conference rooms, judge's chambers, or other locations as directed by the judge.
• Maintain a complete record of all verbal communications an to provide an intelligible record including nonverbal incidents in the proceedings.
• Remind parties, as necessary, to speak clearly and on at a time to ensure the integrity of verbatim record.
• During proceedings, upon request of the judge or litigants, locate and read or play back portions of proceedings
• Maintain a high level of concentration and attentiveness throughout all court proceedings, regardless of disruptions and other unpredictable and adverse conditions.
• Utilize computer equipment and software for preparation of transcripts.
• Transcribe, proofread, certify, and distribute official transcripts.
• Provide court reporter coverage for other judges within assigned district and other judges sitting on proceedings held in assigned district. Remain current on computerized court reporting technology.
• Communicate with litigants and public regarding requests for official transcripts.
• Provide administrative support as assigned by the judge.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed primarily in a courtroom, hearing room, conference room, judge's chambers, officer setting, or recorded by Zoom or another electronic audio - visual platform. May include travel assignments.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Preference given to graduates of a post secondary court reporting (Stenography) program approved by the NCRA and the Montana Supreme Court.
• Experience as an official court reporter in a courtroom settings is preferred, but new court-reporting graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Relevant experience may substitute for prior stenography program completion where the candidate can demonstrate excellent typing skills, ability to operate and troubleshoot computerized recording systems, ability to produce transcripts, and understanding of court procedures.
• Preferred but not required- Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Certification and Verified Realtime Reporter (CRR) Certification , Maintained by obtaining required continuing education units, in accordance with certification guidelines established by NCRA