Court Reporter - Superior Court of California (Open and Promotional)

Salary : $137,134.40 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: X064O
Department: Superior & Municipal Courts
Opening Date: 10/31/2025
Bargaining Unit: 40

Description
Candidates have the opportunity to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $15,000.

Court Reporters report a verbatim record of courtroom proceedings and provide general support to the assigned judge related to the official record. Court Reporters can work in varied departments, including but not limited to, criminal, civil and family law calendars, civil and criminal trials as well as our juvenile department.

The ideal candidate for the Court Reporter position has experience transcribing a full range of courtroom proceedings, is familiar with real time reporting, and possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Certification and/or experience with real time reporting is highly desired. The Court offers a 10% differential for certified real-time and 5% differential for court certified real-time.

Please visit http://www.sanmateocourt.org/for more information on our organization.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

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

• Attend courtroom sessions to record court proceedings.
• Prepare verbatim transcripts of court proceedings including testimony, objections, rulings, pleas, and sentences.
• Read aloud Court reporting notes at the request of the Court.
• Certify the accuracy of Court transcripts.
• Prepare indexes of witnesses and exhibits and file official transcripts with the Court.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including computers and printers.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from litigants.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification:

• Valid Certified Shorthand Reporter License issued by the State of California.

Education and Experience:

• Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and techniques of courtroom procedures.
• Laws, regulations, and judicial procedures related to court reporting.
• Legal, medical, professional, and technical terminology used in a courtroom setting.
• Records management practices and procedures, including indexing and cross-indexing.
• Correct English usage, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Principles and techniques for dealing with the public, often when relations may be strained.

Skill/Ability to:

• Transcribe a full range of courtroom proceedings.
• Operate necessary court reporter equipment.
• Use standard office equipment, such as a personal or on-line computer.
• Organize and prioritize work, meet critical time deadlines, and coordinate multiple activities.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals.
• Exercise initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Organize and maintain accurate files and records.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

Application/Examination

Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply who currently possesses a California Shorthand Reporter license. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.
This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time.

Responses to the Training and Experience Evaluation supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of a scored relevant Training and Experience (T&E) evaluation based solely on the candidates' responses to the supplemental questions (weight: 100%). Candidates who receive a passing score on the T&E evaluation will be placed on an eligible list in rank order, determined by the score attained from the evaluation of the training and experience. The top candidates from the eligible list will be forwarded to the hiring department for an interview, which is the basis for final selection.

Because of this screening process, applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the next phase of the examination process. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

NOTE: The detailed information you provide in the supplemental questionnaire should be consistent with the information in your standard County application and resume. All information provided is subject to verification.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.org/to apply.

Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.
Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and selections may be made at any time within the process.
Recruitment Schedule:
Final Filing Date: Continuous

NOTE: Please email Virginia Bottarini at and inform her that you've applied.

Interviews will be scheduled for those candidates who pass the Training and Experience Evaluation with high scores, indicating strong qualifications for the position.
01

IMPORTANT: Applicants for the position of Court Reporter are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. As mentioned in the APPLICATION/EXAMINATION portion of the job announcement, the examination process will consist of a scored relevant Training and Experience (T&E) evaluation, based solely on the candidates' responses to the supplemental questions. This information will weigh heavily in the Training and Experience Evaluation and will also be used in the selection process.

This is a competitive process so please answer the questions completely, paying attention to all parts of the multi-part questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language will be considered. Neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will also be considered in the evaluation process.
A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.

• I have read and understand these instructions.

02

A valid Certified Shorthand Reporter License issued by the State of California is required for this position. Do you possess a valid Certified Shorthand Reporter License issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

03

Please provide your Certified Shorthand Reporter License number issued by the State of California. (NOTE: You will be required to submit a valid license at the time of the interview.)
04

Experience - What is your previous experience as it relates to this position?

• More than 3 years working as a Court Reporter.
• Less than 3 years working as a Court Reporter.
• Completed an internship performing Court Reporter duties.
• Learned about Court Reporter work in an educational setting.
• None, but willing to learn.

05

List employers or references that can verify your responses to Question 4. Include the name of the employer or reference, name of the supervisor or manager, address and telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference.
06

Preliminary Hearings - What is your previous work experience and education as a Court Reporter in the area of Preliminary Hearings?

• I have extensive direct experience, routinely transcribing Preliminary Hearings.
• I have direct experience, routinely transcribing Preliminary Hearings.
• I rarely transcribe Preliminary Hearings.
• I have studied or learned about this (in school or in an internship), no work experience.
• None, but willing to learn.

07

Preliminary Hearings - By checking the appropriate box, indicate the number of years of experience you have as a Court Reporter in the area of Preliminary Hearings:

• 5 or more years.
• 4 years up to 5 years.
• 3 years up to 4 years.
• 2 years up to 3 years.
• 1 year up to 2 years.
• Less than 1 year.

08

List employers or references that can verify your responses to Question 6-7. Include the name of the employer or reference, name of the supervisor or manager, address and telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference.
09

Criminal Trials - What is your previous work experience and education as a Court Reporter in the area of Criminal Trials?

• I have extensive direct experience, routinely transcribing Criminal Trials.
• I have direct experience, routinely transcribing Criminal Trials.
• I rarely transcribe Criminal Trials.
• I have studied or learned about this (in school or in an internship), no work experience.
• None, but willing to learn.

10

Criminal Trials - By checking the appropriate box, indicate the number of years of experience you have as a Court Reporter in the area of Criminal Trials:

• 5 or more years.
• 4 years up to 5 years.
• 3 years up to 4 years.
• 2 years up to 3 years.
• 1 year up to 2 years.
• Less than 1 year.

11

List employers or references that can verify your responses to Questions 9-10. Include the name of the employer or reference, name of the supervisor or manager, address and telephone number. You may include more than one employer or reference.
12

Civil Trials - What is your previous work experience and education as a Court Reporter in the area of Civil Trials?

• I have extensive direct experience, routinely transcribing Civil Trials.
• I have direct experience, routinely transcribing Civil Trials.
• I rarely transcribe Civil Trials.
• I have studied or learned about this (in school or in an internship), no work experience.
• None, but willing to learn.

13

Civil Trials - By checking the appropriate box, indicate the number of years of experience you have as a Court Reporter in the area of Civil Trials:

• 5 or more years.
• 4 years up to 5 years.
• 3 years up to 4 years.
• 2 years up to 3 years.
• 1 year up to 2 years.
• Less than 1 year.

14

List employers or references that can verify your responses to Questions 12-13. Include the name of the employer or reference, name of the supervisor or manager, address and telephone number