Court Reporter

Job Description

Job Description

This position is a 0.75 FTE or 30 hours per week. Time will be divided between Nevada County and Placer County, with 20 hours per week at Nevada County Truckee Courthouse, and on occasion the Nevada City Courthouse, and 10 hours per week at the Placer County Courthouse in Tahoe City. Salary information has been adjusted to reflect the 0.75 FTE status. Benefits and paid leave, if eligible, do not reflect adjustment and will be prorated based on the 0.75 FTE status.

Court Mission & Guiding Pillars

The mission of the Nevada County Superior Court is to ensure fair and equal access to justice, inspire trust and confidence in the court, and to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

To achieve this mission, the court has three guiding pillars:

Operational Excellence is embracing a mindset of continual improvement, project management, and high standards of work to enhance our professionalism, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Culture of Service is cultivating an environment to support one another and serve the community, fostering a sense of connection and shared commitment.

Cybersecurity is safeguarding our ability to serve as a trusted organization in the virtual realm, ensuring the security and integrity of our connections with partners and the public.

Classification Definition

Under general direction, records and transcribes verbatim stenographic accounts of official court proceedings; prepares certified transcripts of the proceedings; maintains records of transcript orders and billing; tracks and prioritizes submission by transcript due dates; performs related work as required. 

Distinguishing Characteristics

Incumbents work under general supervision to perform duties that are well defined and in accordance with preestablished policies, procedures and standards. Incumbents must maintain confidentiality and must use sound judgment in performing court-related duties. Errors in work or judgment could result in inefficient operations of the court, improper and incorrect recording of legal proceedings and could affect the outcomes of a trial or appeal. Incumbents have no responsibility for leading or supervising the work of others.

Essential Duties

• Records and reports verbatim testimony and court proceedings utilizing accepted methods of machine shorthand.
• Researches and reviews planned calendars of court proceedings; coordinates and ensures coverage; identifies and addresses potential scheduling conflicts; informs and alerts judges, clerks and Court administrators.  
• Prepares and reads back all or portions of the official court proceedings upon instruction from the judge. 
• Prepares certified transcripts of proceedings. 
• Prioritizes requests for transcripts in order to meet legal deadlines. 
• Prepares printed and/or magnetic media transcripts using computer-aided transcription software. 
• Organizes, maintains and destroys a variety of electronic and paper files. 
• Keeps accurate records related to files, storage and billing. 
• Obtains and pays for supplies and maintenance of reporter’s own equipment. 
• Uses reference materials for accurate spelling of medical, technical and other specialized vocabulary. 
• Maintains current knowledge of regulations related to court reporting; 
• Performs other duties as required.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, statutes and rules relating to court reporting services. 
• Knowledge of complex legal, medical, technical and administrative terminology and procedures. 
• Court procedures and protocol.   
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation. 
• Techniques and procedures for use of machine shorthand equipment. 

Ability to:

• Take machine shorthand at the speed and accuracy specified for licensing by the State of California.
• Make a verbatim record of court proceedings, often of a technical nature.
• Attend to and distinguish multiple voices.
• Read back the record in open court.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Understand and follow complex oral instructions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Transcribe accurately from shorthand recordings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of experience and education or training that is likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above would be:  

• High School diploma or equivalent GED. 
• Certification by the State of California as a Certified Shorthand Reporter or Certified Court Reporter; and  
• Two years general reporting experience or one year in a trial court in the State of California.  

Additional Requirements: 

• Citizenship in the United States.    
• This class description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. Incumbents may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.  
• Candidates are required to pass a fingerprint clearance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ). Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness.  Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment and use standard office equipment; vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds such as files, books or boxes of paper. Sitting for extended periods of time daily; moving short distances, minimal twisting, bending, stooping and lifting in the performance of assigned duties. Good memory and recall are necessary for the accurate and timely transfer of information. Assigned work is normally performed in an office environment. Employee works in a high stress environment and is exposed to high demand situations in the performance of required duties, continuous contact with staff, patrons and the general public.  

Accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.