Court Reporter (Steno/Voice Writing)

Salary : $86,278.40 - $104,852.80 Annually
Location : 2260 N St., Merced, CA, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 21-22-02
Division: Court Reporters
Opening Date: 07/18/2022
Closing Date: Continuous

CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION

**Hiring Incentive** Up to $15,000 payable upon completion of the Introductory Period.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, this specialized clerical level position records and transcribes verbatim stenographic accounts of official court proceedings and performs other duties, as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry and journey level of the Court Reporter series. This class is distinguished from the higher-level Senior Court Reporter class in that the latter is responsible for leading and coordinating the work of Court Reporters and performing the more difficult work assigned to the series.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

1. Records verbatim testimony and court proceedings (including exhibits, evidence, speakers, etc.) using stenographic or voice writing equipment; asks judge for clarification of instructions, orders, or other actions to properly note the official record.
2. Reads back all or portions of the official court proceedings upon instruction from the judge.
3. Prepares accurate printed or magnetic media transcripts (including ASCII disks); reviews and certifies printed transcripts of court proceedings. Prepares transcript billings to the court.
4. Maintains a variety of electronic and paper files of that portion of the court record for which the reporter is directly responsible, prepares daily transcripts as needed, and provides transcripts of proceedings on request of parties or by order of the court within deadlines.
5. Research legal reference materials for court reporting clarification.
6. Responds appropriately to situations. Follow verbal and written directions.
7. Must be able to be flexible with work hours (ex: court proceedings, grand jury hearings) and work past 5:00p.m. when needed. Attend training as offered and/or directed. Travel to off-site courts, as needed.
8. Maintain professional appearance and demeanor.
9. Follow Court Rules and Regulations, Safety Procedures, and Court Code of Ethics.
10. Must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
11. Must, at all times, demonstrate cooperative behavior with co-workers, and management.
12. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES
None

WORK HOURS
As directed, per Division needs, including overtime.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
Educational level equivalent to a high school diploma or GED

Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities

Certification/License Required:

• Possession of Certified Shorthand Reporter's license through the use of stenography, voice writing, or both, issued by the Court Reporters Board of California, in accordance with Government Code Section 69942
• Possession of Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) issued by the NCRA is highly desirable

Necessary Employment Standards
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Provide, maintain, and use personal equipment for reporting and transcribing
• Stenographically report or voice write at the speed and accuracy specified for licensing by the State of California
• Legal, medical and administrative terminology, phraseology, documents and procedures, as well as courtroom procedures and protocol
• Effective communication skills - verbal and written - in person, over the telephone and in writing with public, attorneys, co-workers, supervisors, managers, commissioners and judges; knowledge of correct English usage, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses
• Must work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or other regulations
• Possess excellent organizational and listening skills; work independently and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, co-workers, supervisors, judges,commissioners, independent contractors and other management; work effectively with and assist individuals of various ages and diverse cultural backgrounds; deal tactfully and courteously with the public and legal representatives in providing information about court functions and proceedings
• Be dependable, punctual and have good attendance
• Must successfully complete fingerprinting and Criminal Record Background check

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Appellate court procedures knowledge and/or experience
• Familiarity with local attorneys in order to properly identify
• Realtime reporting knowledge and/or experience

A valid class C California driver's license required or self-arranged transportation; driver must have an acceptable driving record; the requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS

Performance Aptitudes
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data; includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data, and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Physical Ability:

• Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and other office equipment on a daily basis and for extended periods of time
• Fine finger manipulations, dexterity, and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper
• Forceful and repetitive gripping, grasping, and pinching
• Occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Frequent reaching for items on shelves, above, at, and below desk/shoulder level
• Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move, torque, twist, push and pull objects
• Frequently sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods; and frequently walk, move, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch
• Able to move to different locations such as, but not limited to: courtrooms, clerk's offices, various departments, other court facilities, and desk assignments based on the operational needs of the Court
• Able to traverse inside and outside over uneven ground and pavement
• Perform repetitive writing, typing, copying
• Employees are regularly required to verbally communicate both in person and by telephone
• Corrected hearing and vision to normal range

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying. Court employees shall be subject to a modified background investigation and fingerprinting. False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.
Vacation:

10 days paid vacation each year for the first 5 years of employment

15 days accrual during the second 5 years

20 days accrual after 10 years

25 days accrual after 20 years
Sick Leave:

Unlimited sick leave accumulation

*Accrual is based on work hours:

• 5 years = 10,400 regular scheduled hours
• 10 years = 20,800 regular scheduled hours
• 20 years = 41,600 regular scheduled hours
• 25 years = 52,000 regular scheduled hours

Holidays:

14 paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program:

6 free visits per incident per year. Available to qualifying dependents.
Health Insurance:

Major group medical, dental and vision currently paid for by the Court for the employee and medical, dental and vision care for eligible dependents with 50% of the premium paid by the Court.

Life Insurance:

$10,000 with premium paid by Court.

Retirement:

Court employees are covered by the Merced County Employees' Retirement Association (MCERA), a Defined Benefit Retirement System governed by the County Employees' Retirement Act of 1937.
01

Is your education level equivalent to a high school diploma, GED, or higher?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess a Certified Shorthand Reporter's license issued by the Court Reporters Board of California?

• Yes
• No

Required Question